Pawling Concert Series presents Tibetan Monks:

SACRED MUSIC, SACRED DANCE

Websites:

www.mysticalartsoftibet.org/

www.pawlingconcertseries.org

On Friday, November 9, the Pawling Concert Series will present one of its more unusual events, Sacred Music Sacred Dance, with the monks of the Drepung Loseling Monastery of Tibet.  Eleven saffron-robed monks will be strolling the campus of Trinity-Pawling School for three days and will be housed in the residence of the Headmaster.

The Drepung Monastery was established near Lhasa, Tibet, in 1416.  One department, known as the “Hermitage of the Radiant Mind”, housed more than three-quarters of Drepung’s ten to fifteen thousand monks.  After the Chinese Communist invasion of Tibet in 1959 some 250 monks from Loseling managed to escape and rebuild their institution in Karnataka, South India.  The traditional training was thus preserved and many young aspirants continue to seek entrance into the monastery.  The number of monks presently in Drepung Loseling has increased to more than 2,500.  The tours by the monks in the United States help contribute to the expenses of the monastery.

The Sacred Music Sacred Dance performance is comprised of eleven selections, with an announcer giving a general introduction at the beginning, as well as a brief explanation of the meaning and purpose of each segment.  The monks chant in the multiphonic tradition and perform ancient dance movements often symbolizing the qualities of the indigenous animals.  The monks’ clothing and costumes and the intriguing ambience of the Eastern instruments all contribute to sights and sounds new to Western sensibilities.

Bottini Fuel is contributing support to this concert which begins at 8 pm in the Gardiner Theater.  Tickets are $25 for adults, $12 for students and for children twelve and under there is no charge.  Tickets can be bought at the door.  At intermission, prior to and after the performance there will be an opportunity to look over and purchase CDs, artifacts and other Tibetan items.

The soup, salad and sandwich supper in the basement of Cluett is a tasty way to start the evening.  The next concert is on Friday, December 14 with a charming Christmas program by the Baltimore Consort.  For more information call 845 855-3100.

These concerts are made possible with funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, and, in part, by the Dutchess County Arts Council.  Season underwriters include Andron, Castagna Realty, M&T Bank and Joe Pietryka, Inc.