Rochester, MN
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201 4th St. SE
Suite 170
Rochester, MN 55901
Phone: 507-328-2200
TTY/TDD: More Information
Mon-Fri: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Passport Sessions
Music With Roots. Sounds That Travel.
Est. 2010
Thank you to everyone who joined us for Passport Sessions in 2025!
These free concerts brought diverse sounds into the heart of Rochester - from Indigenous hip hop to Turkish orchestra music. We’ll be back in summer 2026 with more new sounds.
Lineup announcement coming spring 2026.
Passport Sessions is a summer music series that celebrates cultural connection through sound.
Each featured artist brings a distinctive musical tradition shaped by identity, heritage, and place. Styles range from hand-drummed rhythms and string traditions to vocal forms passed down across generations.
Performers share their work in two ways: through a free public concert at Thursdays Downtown, and through daytime performances for students in Rochester Public Schools’ Summer SACC (School Age Child Care) program.
This series invites audiences of all ages to listen, learn, and connect through music.
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Planning Your Visit
At the Event
Gao Hong & Issam Rafea
- The Blending of Ancient Souls from Syria and China (World Music Series)
- Date: 01/21/2021 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
- Location: ONLINE EVENT
- Intro Text Live-streamed from the Historic Chateau Theatre in downtown Rochester's "Heart of the City" district. Their music sounds both ancient and strikingly modern at the same time. It is neither Chinese nor Arabic, but something fresh and new that only they can produce. Both the Arabic lute, the oud (played by Issam Rafea), and the Chinese four-stringed lute, the pipa (played by Gao Hong), originated from the same ancient instrument - the Persian barbat. Though the pipa has been altered considerably though out its 2000-year history, it originally resembled the 5,000-year old oud and is thought to have been introduced to China through the Silk Road. Since they only play improvisations, no two performances are ever exactly the same, and the duo often creates instantaneous site-and audience-specific pieces to describe their immediate feelings and honor their audiences.
- Artist Website URL https://www.chinesepipa.com/Issam_Gao.html
Gao Hong & Issam Rafea - The Blending of Ancient Souls from Syria and China | Thu Jan 21 at 7 PM | Facebook & YouTube LIVE | 2021 World Music Series
Live-streamed from the Historic Chateau Theatre in downtown Rochester's "Heart of the City" district
Rochester Civic Music's Facebook Link:
https://www.facebook.com/riversideconcerts1
Rochester Civic Music's YouTube Link:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCc3Q3IHNlUpCmzJbnpH_cbw
Their music sounds both ancient and strikingly modern at the same time. It is neither Chinese nor Arabic, but something fresh and new that only they can produce. Both the Arabic lute, the oud (played by Issam Rafea), and the Chinese four-stringed lute, the pipa (played by Gao Hong), originated from the same ancient instrument - the Persian barbat. Though the pipa has been altered considerably though out its 2000-year history, it originally resembled the 5,000-year old oud and is thought to have been introduced to China through the Silk Road. Since they only play improvisations, no two performances are ever exactly the same, and the duo often creates instantaneous site-and audience-specific pieces to describe their immediate feelings and honor their audiences.
The Duo has performed at the Smithsonian Institution, Lotus Festival (Bloomington, IN), Trinity Center for Urban Life in Philadelphia (for Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture), Music in the Chapel Concert Series (Minneapolis), the University of Maryland; Carleton College; St. Olaf College; St Paul College; The Cedar Cultural Center; Inn-Fest; Macalester College and dozens of other performances throughout Minnesota. They were interviewed and featured on the MPR/NPR radio program All Things Considered; and on WCCO/CBS Radio’ s Steele Talkin’ with host Jearlyn Steele. This newly formed duo was awarded a 2018 USArtists International Grant from the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation in the U.S.
Pipa master Gao Hong and oud master Issam Rafea met in 2017 at Carleton College while Gao Hong was teaching there and Issam Rafea was a residency artist. They bonded when first met and immediately committed to recording and performing together. Once in the recording studio, they began improvising music that was so cohesive it seemed as if they had worked together for years. Both Issam and Gao Hong are wonderful composers, and this helps each anticipate what the other will do in their live compositions.
Brought to you by the Friends of Riverside Concerts with additional support by the Mayo Clinic. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts & cultural heritage fund. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support Grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts & cultural heritage fund. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
Passport Sessions Lineups
Going to a Passport Show:
Supporters & Partners
Passport Sessions is a City-funded program presented by Rochester Public Music. Our partners play a key role in extending its reach by helping us share performances that spark curiosity, celebrate cultural traditions, and connect communities across Rochester.
2026 sponsorship opportunities are now available. Visit our Supporters & Partners page or email publicmusic@rochestermn.gov to learn more.
2025 Funding Partners
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Grant Support: Thomas X Event
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
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2025 Venue Partner
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Presented in partnership with Thursdays Downtown
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2025 Youth Program Partner
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Host sites for youth concerts through Summer SACC
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