A woman holding a Mongolian harp.

Mikka Chinbaatar, a graduate student in collaborative piano, and musician Bayarbaatar Bavuudorj (below) are among the artists featured in a recital highlighting the works of Mongolia’s best composers at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, in SIU Carbondale’s Old Baptist Foundation Recital Hall. (Photos provided)

March 13, 2025

SIU School of Music recital to feature Mongolian music

by Pete Rosenbery

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s School of Music will host a recital featuring the works from Mongolia’s best composers at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, in the university’s Old Baptist Foundation Recital Hall.

“Nomadic Harmonies,” a free, public concert, is organized by Mikka Chinbaatar, a graduate student in collaborative piano, who is originally from Mongolia and a former musician with the Mongolian Grand National Orchestra of the Grand Theater.

A man is holding a Mongolian horse-headed fiddle.The recital will feature Bayarbaatar Bavuudorj, who teaches Mongolian folk music and throat singing at the Mongolian National University of Arts and Culture; Chinbaatar, and traditional instruments. The instruments include the horse-headed fiddle (morin khuur), which is one of Mongolia’s most iconic instruments, with strings made from actual horsetail; a wooden flute (tsuur), and Mongolian harp (yatga), which has a beautifully rich sound.

Performances also include the Intercontinental Trio, featuring Chinbaatar and graduate students Julia Mrazek and María del Mar Añasco Mina, and the band Elixr, featuring SIU students Myles Daniels and Gianni Rodgers, along with SIU alumnus Joshua Buss.

“We are really excited to share Mongolia’s incredible musical and nomadic culture with everyone,” Chinbaatar said. “The repertoire for this concert is diverse. It’s going to be a unique and exciting performance.”

Editors: Please note pronunciations.

Performers:

  • Bayarbaatar Bavuudorj — BAY-a-r-BAH-tah-r, BAH-voo-duhr-jah.
  • Mikka Chinbaatar —-Mee-ka Chin-bah-tar.
  • Julia Mrazek — MRAH-zek.

Instruments:

  • Morin khuur — Moh-RIN hoo-R, emphasizing the M in “morin” and the R in “khuur.” and
  • Tsuur — “Tsoo-er.”
  • Yatga — Yet-guh.