Singing two or three notes can be fairly simple; however, the art of producing more than one note simultaniously is a skill that has been acquired, if not mastered, by Chirgilchin, a Tuvan singing group.

On Sunday, Oct. 8, the award-winning group will be performing on campus in the Music Recital Hall at 7 p.m.

In 1998, Chirgilchin won first prize at the Throatsinging Festival in Tuva. Igor Koshkendai, solo singer of the group, received the grand prize in all five styles of throat singing.

“I?ve heard of them. They?re pretty cool,” music student Brian Aguilar said.

Khoomei, which is translated as singing with the throat, is regarded as the most striking aspect of music from Tuva. Researchers and western musicians often refer to the phenomenon as overtone, biphonic, or harmonic singing. A single singer amazingly produces two and sometimes three notes at one time.

“It?s very hard to do,” Glenn Disney, events manager, said. “You don’t get to see it everyday.”

In Tuvan language, Chirgilchin means either mirage or miracle. One of the marvels that the group features is a female throat singer, which is still uncommon in Tuva and unheard of in the United States.

Tuva, a southern area of Siberia whose traditional territory extends from the Atlai Mountians to the Yenissei Springs in Sayan Basui, is rich with throat singers. A Throatsinging Festival is held in Kyzyl, the Capital of Tuva.

Chirgilchin was founded by Alexander Bapa in February, 1996. Bapa is also the founder and producer of Tuvan throat singing group Huun Huur Tu. Chirgilchin features the finest musicians of the younger generation in Tuva.

The performance at Sacramento State will be in Tuvan language, which will also get the audience acquainted with shamanism. The Tuvan religious culture is primarily shaman, but has also been strongly influenced by Tibetan Buddhism.

The group also makes the most of different types of instruments. Five of those instruments are the doshpuluur ? a kind of lute with two strings, an igil ? a violin with two strings, a limbi ? a trapezoid harmonic sound-box, a dymbra ? a rattle drum used by the Tuvan Shamans in rituals, and a flute.

In addition to the phenomenal throat singing and traditional instruments, Stephen Kent will be accompanying Chirgilchin with his didgeridoo. Kent has been hailed as one of the music world?s finest non-aboriginal didjeridoo players because of his meditative soundscapes and beat-oriented groove.

Sponsored by the Music Department and World Music Club, the concert is sure to enlighten the audience with a taste of cultural awareness.

“It?s a pretty rare performance. A lot of people I?ve talked to said that they’re going to the concert,” Disney said.

Tickets to see Chirgilchin?s performance are available on campus through the Central Ticket Office (916) 278-4323. The cost is $5 for students and $10 general admission. For additional information call (916) 278-5155.