The Music Box. Qatar Music Academy s monthly newsletter

Transcription

1 January 2014 Qatar Music Academy s monthly newsletter QMA strengthens ties with Majma al-arabi li al-musiqa Qatar Music Academy was honored to host the conference of the Majma al-arabi li al-musiqa (the Arab Academy of Music, part of the Arab League) in order to strengthen ties with Middle Eastern musical experts. The dignitaries were visiting Doha in order to attend its annual conference. Dr. Al Heeti, Principal, QMA, delivered a speech at the conference on 1 December at the Hilton Hotel. He gave the delegates an insight into the many and various achievements of QMA so far, and highlighted our curricula; the standard of our instruments; our scholarship scheme which aims to support the most talented students and the study of rare instruments; our promotion of music therapy; recent visits by other dignitaries; and our developing Arab music research project. In the second half of his speech, Dr. Heeti called upon the Majma al-arabi li al-musiqa to use its In this issue... full resources and expertise to support QMA in the future, and urged them to develop solutions to the challenges of teaching music in the Arab world and to reverse the decline of Arabic music and vocals. In particular, Dr. Heeti recommended the development of a specialist Diploma degree to enable better quality Arabic music teaching, the publication of standards for the manufacture of Arabic instruments, and the establishment of an Arab committee of music specialists to promote a universal framework for Arabic music. On 2 December, QMA hosted 25 high level delegates from the conference for an evening of dialogue and music. Dr. Al Kuwari, the Qatari Minister for Culture also attended. The Arab music department gave a presentation and performed a selection of music. QMA then hosted a dinner for the delegates in the QMA lobby. Page 2 QMA in the Press Pages 5&6 Coming Soon to the Music Departments Pages 3&4 Latest News Page 7 And Finally...

2 January 2014 QMA in the press Qatar Music Academy featured in Qatar Happening Magazine Qatar Music Academy was delighted to be featured in the pages of Qatar Happening s December issue. The article described how QMA has developed in the three short years since its establishment, and included interviews with Dr. Abdul Ghafour Al Heeti, Principal, and Anne- Marie Pigneguy, Head of Western Music. The article examined how QMA has received a generous sponsorship from Occidental Petroleum of Qatar, and also looked at how QMA is planning to embark on a number of ambitious projects including music therapy and research into the traditional music and songs of the Arabian Gulf region. A copy of the article can be viewed on QMA website s In the Press section. Please visit The Foundation magazine profiles QMA s Music for All Programme Qatar Music Academy was also featured in the November 2013 edition of Qatar Foundation s The Foundation magazine. The article discussed how QMA aims to spearhead the renaissance of music within the local community through the Music for All programme, and described the many activities and courses on offer. Many of our students and teachers are pictured in action, so please take a look at the magazine and see if you can spot either yourself or someone you know! A copy of the article has been posted on QMA website s In the Press section. Please visit in Qatar. 2

3 January 2014 Latest news Qatar Music Academy is visited by Students from Qatar Academy QMA recently hosted students from Qatar Academy for a workshop on Arabic musical instruments. Our Arab Music Department faculty taught the children all about instruments such as the oud, qanun and nay, and played each instrument in turn. It proved to be a fun and informative field trip! Collaboration between QMA and the French Embassy As part of the collaboration between QMA and France s City of Music in Paris, Yassine Ayari, nay teacher in the Arab Music Department, was invited to explore the programmes and projects of the City in December The visit was arranged by the French Embassy in Doha. 3

4 January 2014 Latest news Pictures from our Western Music Department Ensemble Recitals in December Future ensemble schedule The next ensemble recitals are scheduled for: Thursday 27 March at pm: Strings, concert band and George Oro s percussion ensemble Saturday 29 March at pm: Percussion, jazz ensemble and choirs 4

5 January 2014 Coming soon to the Arab Music Department Takht and Ensemble Recitals 30 January 2014 at pm in Ziriab Hall Takht I with Yassine Ayari Fatima Al-Jefairi Nasser Jaberi Takht II with Taoufik Mirkhan Natali Jouzi Nicolai Vucetich Telaya Sami Bou Ghanem Zeina Hamd Takht III with Bayan Rida Omar Saleh Yasmine Hamd Takht IV with Yassine Ayari Ameena Al-Meer Lubna Hassanain Talin Jouzi Nadir Abd al-salam Jawqa with Bayan Rida Jad Sarkis Rahaf Al-Charif Noor Al Abdulla Nadir Abd al-salam Arab Percussion Ensemble I with George Oro Chloe Adelaja Jack Louis Dillon Per-Niklas Barth Sami Bou Ghanem Arab Percussion Ensemble II with George Oro Mayssa Fattouh Mary Saliba Re-enrollment Re-enrollment will open on Tuesday, 18 February. All current students must re-enroll to guarantee their place for the next academic year (2014/15). This year, all re-enrollment application must be done online through our website. Links to the form will be sent out shortly. 5

6 January 2014 Coming soon to the Western Music Department ABRSM Exams All QMA students preparing for an ABRSM theory exam are expected to attend a mock/practice exam in February. The mock exams will be held on 1 February at 11.00am and 1.00pm or on 8 February at 11.00am and 1.00pm. Please look on the Western Department notice board to sign up for one of the listed times. The exams will be held in Ziriab Hall. Students will need to bring with them two lead pencils, an eraser and a ruler in a clear plastic bag. Timings for the mock theory exams are: Grades 1-3: 1½ hours (11.00am-12.30pm or 1.00pm-2.30pm) Grades 4-5: 2 hours (11.00am-1.00pm or 1.00pm-3.00pm) Grades 6: 3 hours (11.00am-2.00pm or 1.00pm-4.00pm) Students can leave the examination after 40 minutes. However, we don t advise that students leave early as they will not be allowed back into the room if they want to change or add an answer. The ABRSM Theory Examination will be on Saturday, 1 March at the Radisson Blu Hotel in the Ballroom at 10.00am. Grades 1-3: 1½ hours, 10.00am-11.30am Grades 4-5: 2 hours, 10.00am-12.00pm Grades 6: 3 hours, 10.00am-1.00pm Please bring something warm to wear as the room is quite cold due to air conditioning. Jazz Workshops Cello Masterclasses QMA has the honour of announcing that Dominick Farinacci, the Global Ambassador to Jazz at the Lincoln Centre Doha will be working closely with Academic programme students and faculty over the next 4 months. He will joined by musicians from Jazz at the Lincoln Centre to run masterclasses, workshops and performance for the staff and students. Days and times to be advised. Professor Dr. Ashraf Ateiia Sharara will hold masterclasses for String department in February. He will work with all cello students as well as students from the two string ensembles on February. Professor Dr. Sharara is employed at the Cairo Conservatoire and is Dean of the High Institute of Child s Arts. Re-enrollment Re-enrollment will open on Tuesday, 18 February. All current students must re-enroll to guarantee their place for the next academic year (2014/15). This year, all re-enrollment application must be done online through our website. Links to the form will be sent out shortly. 6

7 January 2014 And Finally... Would your child like to sing with the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra? On 11 May 2014, the Qatar Philharmonic Children s Choir will perform Carl Orff s Carmina Burana with the MDR Radio Choir of Leipzig, distinguished vocal soloists and the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Alastair Willis in the large theatre in the Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC). Gustav Holst s The Planets will also be performed in this special concert with the Duncan Copp film, The Planets: An HD Odyssey, which uses the latest footage from NASA. Auditions will be held for the Qatar Philharmonic Children s Choir as follows: Date: March 3, 4, 5 and 6 Time: 5:00 to 6:00 pm Place: Katara Opera House Contact: Ms. Saima Sirajahmed sgitay@qf.org.qa Deadline to apply: February 20, 2014 Each child should prepare a song for the audition. Violin and Piano Concert QMA will be hosting a concert titled Duo Repertoire for Violin and Piano which will feature the works of Mozart, Brahms, Strauss and many more... The performers are: Elizaveta Hesse- Violinist, Nataliia Lukashenko- Pianist and Deborah Armstrong-Pianist. The concert will be held on 6 February at 5.00pm in Ziriab hall. Offstage Album Release QMA s violin teacher, MAias Al Yamani has released his new album Offstage which is available at Virgin stores in Doha. Offstage will also be available soon in the Middle East and Europe at EMI and Virgin stores, and worldwide on itunes. For more information, please visit: