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EDMOND, Okla. (Mar. 29, 2013) – Armstrong Auditorium announces the upcoming free educational performance of Shesh Besh on Apr. 12 at 10:30 a.m.

“Shesh Besh is an Arab-Jewish Ensemble seeking the balance of East and West in music,” said Shane Granger, Armstrong Auditorium house manager. “Their educational program embodies two cultures living together in harmony and is a model of tolerance and mutual respect in a turbulent, violent Middle East.”

Shesh Besh is comprised of three members of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra alongside four of the finest musicians from Israel’s Arab community. They perform traditional Oriental material alongside works by Bach, Mozart and Haydn and original compositions by both Jewish and Arab composers. On a deeper level, the ensemble’s onstage presence and repertoire are a living metaphor for people striving to coexist. 

Their onstage presence and their music reflect their belief that the language of music may bind the hearts and build a real bridge between peoples. The players aim to demonstrate that people of different nationalities and beliefs can produce beautiful music despite difficult political situations and cultural differences.

 Since Becoming an integral part of the Israel Philharmonic’s education program, “KeyNote,” Shesh Besh has appeared at the Tanglewood Music Festival and at Carnegie Hall for the JVC Jazz Festival hosted by Michael Feinstein.  The “European Medal of Honor—Prize for Tolerance 2006” was presented to the ensemble for their vision and commitment to Israeli-Arab relations.

Admission is free and open to the public. The program begins at 10:30 a.m. and is scheduled to last one hour. For more information, please visit www.ArmstrongAuditorium.org or call 405-285-1010.