TECHNICAL PLAN

 

1^ST PART

 

SUFI MUSIC CONCERT

 

Duration                                               : Approximately 30 – 40 minutes

Number of musical instruments : 4

Number of vocalists                              : 3

Number of whirling dervishes    : 6

Total Number of Performers                 : 13

 

1^st instrument – BENDIR - (hand held, drum-like)

The instrumentalist is also a vocalist.

Deep sound is required. Sound adjustment must be close to that of a drum.

2 dynamic microphones for Bendir and 1 microphone for the vocalist are needed.

 

2^nd instrument – REED (NEY) – (flute-like)

The instrumentalist will play one reed. A dynamic microphone is needed for the instrument.

 

3^rd instrument – UD (guitar-like)

The instrumentalist is also a vocalist.

1 microphone for the UD, 1 microphone for the vocalist needed.

 

4^th instrument – TAMBUR (thin, long, lyre-like)

The instrumentalist is also a vocalist.

1 microphone needed for the Tambur. 1 needed for the vocalist.

 

FOR THE OTHER 3 VOCALISTS:

1 Condenser microphone for the 1^st vocalist

2 Condenser microphones for the 2^nd vocalist (2^nd microphone is for EZAN – CALL TO PRAYER)

1 Condenser microphone for the 3^rd vocalist

 

Around the 20^th minute of the program, the vocalist in the middle stands up, presents a 4 to 6 minute performance. The microphone he will use must be at fade mode. During this time, lights on the stage will be off and the vocalist will be under 100% white spot (for 4 to 6 minutes). He will greet the audience at the end and go back to his seat. When the clapping is about to be over, in five seconds, the stage will have 90% white lighting. (The percentage may vary with the light systems.)

 

The seating arrangement will be as shown in the image. The background curtain will be black.

 

If the system includes lights from the floor to the air, some could be used to illuminate the white screen behind the instrumentalists.

 

If you want the lyrics of hymns to be reflected, the projection could be used behind the instrumentalists.

 

MONITOR SPEAKERS

There should be two of them. They should be placed in such a location that during the first part (concert), they should not be between the audience and the instrumentalists and during the second part (performance), they should not disturb the whirling dervishes.

 

2^nd PART

 

WHIRLING DERVISHES

 

Duration           : Approximately 25 – 35 minutes

 

During the sema ritual, the chairs of the instrumentalists must be at the back of the stage. Mats are laid on the left part of the stage (to the left of the audience). At a distance of 6 to 8 feet from the mats toward the audience, 100% red vivid light (at an area of 4 ft x 2.5 ft) is used. This spotlight remains there until the end of the program.

 

The program starts with a silent greeting from the dervishes. Everyone is quiet. There is a dim white light (around 25 – 30 %). The area of the mats and the instrumentalists will be dim. (If the instrumentalists have some light on their easel, their area could be dark.) Across the red light, 80 – 100 % white light with a diameter of 6 ft is given. Dervishes stop at this white light and greet the red light. When the greeting is over, the spotlight is turned off and the 25 – 30 % dim white light remains on the stage. The instrumentalist who plays the REED will be given white spotlight for 3 minutes. When the solo performance is finished, the second vocalist from the right stands up and 100% white spotlight is on him for 3 to 4 minutes. He sits down when he finishes and the spotlight is turned off. The stage now has 30 – 45 % white light.

 

The red vivid light and the white spotlight are turned on again for the dervishes who stand up and take a greeting tour that is repeated 4 times. Dervishes sit down later and wait for about 2 to 4 minutes. They will bow to the floor and then stand up. When they take off their black gowns, the stage gets 75 – 90% white light. The dim white spotlight across the red light is turned off.

 

When the ritual (performance) starts, the 100% CLEAR WASH is decreased to 80%. If the performance hall has a light set that can produce a broken crystalline look, such as in Austin and College Station, this set remains as 100% white.   

 

The sema ritual is repeated 4 times:

 

A long one (6 – 8 minutes)

A short one (2 – 3 minutes)

A long one (6 – 8 minutes)

A short one (2 – 3 minutes)

 

During the sema ritual, a general 100% white wash and 6 spotlights (diameter of 10 ft) with different colors at 6 different spots (5 if the number of dervishes is 5) are used.

If there is a white light with crystal effect, it can be used at the entire stage.

 

The exact positioning of the 6 spotlights are arranged with a dervish before the program; however, a recommended setting is as shown below.

O                     O                     O

 

 

 

O                     O                     O

 

The person in charge of the lights can adjust the lights depending on the type of hymns and how long they will take.

 

The lights are first 100% white for 3 minutes. (this may change according to how long a song might take)

 

The first part (2.5 – 3 minutes) 100% white wash

The second part (2.5 – 3.5 minutes) 6 colors at 6 spots

 

At least 3 types of colors must be seen at the 6 spots. These could be light green, bright blue, and pink (as in College Station). The crystal white light in Austin is a good example. Pictures taken in previous programs may give more feedback on colors used.

 

The speaker’s pulpit must be arranged in such a way that the spotlight should be 100% white, from the top to the speaker and not disturb his/her eyes.