The Music Box Qatar Music Academy s monthly newsletter Opera Workshop with Simon Robinson The English Bass-Baritone Simon is a valued and soughtafter masterclass teacher throughout Europe. He successfully conducted a series of workshops for QMA singing students and teachers from the 17th to 19th of January 2019. The aim of the singing masterclass was to provide our students with great opportunity to reinforce a piece (song or aria) through intense work on singing technique, language, expression and style. the feedback recieved was extremely positive! we thank our voice teacher Anna Dietrich for her proposal. Highlights of this issue... Page 3 Page 4 QMA with QPO Performances ABRSM Theory Mock Exam Page 7-8 Kid's Corner Pages 12-14 Important Info (both dept.)
The Music Box February 2019 String Ensemble Concert The Western music department has conducted a string ensemble on the 1st of February 2019. Our amazing students have surprised the audience with their ability to perform at such high caliber! Well done teachers for your great efforts! we also would like to take this opportunity to thank all parents involved for their continued support and love. 2
The Music Box February 2019 Qatar Youth Orchestra Performed with QPO on the 2nd of Feb. On February 2nd, Qatar Youth Orchestra students performed alongside members of the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra in the Katara Opera House. This annual collaboration also featured 4 Western Department soloists: Anna Zaffagni, Julia Salvaggio, Jan Mussell, and Natalie Magness. Natalie shared the following reflection on her experience as a soloist: Playing the Saint-Saens concerto with wonderful musicians from both QPO and QYO, a marvelous conductor and at such a beautiful venue was an experience I will always remember. It would not have been possible without the help of my teacher Aydan Alakbarova, continued support from QMA teachers and my family. AMD performance with QPO on the 9th of Feb. Students from the Arab music department performed alongside QPO at the Opera house, Katara on Feb. 9. 18 students from Children Jawqa were performing Lama Bada Yatathana, Andalusian Muwashah accompanied by the AMD Takht, Nay, Oud and Qanun. Dani Labaki performed in solo the song Tiri tiri and Siwar Ayoub played a Qanun solo with orchestra a wonderful piece composed by Rahabani Brothers. Congrats to all participants: AMD choir, Aya Dawas (Nay), Tim Salman ('Ud), Siwar Ayoub (Qanun), Dani Labaki (voice solo). It was nice to hear the incredible musical growth in our students over the years and see their hard work and dedication rewarded with wonderful performances. 3
ABRSM Theory Mock Exam Academic program students in the Arab and Western departments along with a group of adult Qatari students in the Music for all program sat their annual theory mock exams on Friday, February 8 in preparation for the ABRSM theory exam on March 2nd. ABRSM Practical Exams The Practical exams will be held at QMA and will be scheduled by the ABRSM during the months of April/May 2019. Students must contact their accompanist and organise rehearsals at least 4 weeks before their ABRSM Exam Recital and Exam. 4
90 Day Piano Practice Challenge for Zhivka's Students In January (2019) we started a piano practice challenge for the length of 90 days. In the week of 17 February, children who participated, had already completed a month (total of 30 days) of the challenge. The end of the challenge will be in mid April, when children would play favorite tunes or pieces. The inspiration and excitement levels are high. The challenge is to try and practice 6 days in a row. On average pupils had done on average 16 hours of piano practice for the month. For the wonderful efforts, enthusiasm and joy, participants got some small yummy surprises. Note to parents: The end of the challenge will be celebrated with piano recital gathering on 20th of April beginning at 3.30pm. An opportunity for piano peers and parents to meet each other and enjoy piano music making. 5
he Music Box February 2019 10th Forum of Performing Arts and Music in Qatar in 18th of Feb. Ahmed Karawi, the Oud and Violin teacher in the Arab department participated at the 10th Forum of Performing Arts and Music at Katara building 15. The event was an opportunity to achieve the Ministry of education s vision: Education through art. The event was sponsored by UNISCO, more than 300 Qatari students from different independent schools in Qatar participated in this event and it was an opportunity for us the promote the Oud and Qatar Music Academy as the main musical school in Doha since 2011. Workshop at Sidra QF School George Oro, the AMD s percussion teacher conducted a workshop and a demonstration at Sidra QF School on February 21
The Music Box February 2019 Kid's Corner Kid s Corner bulletin board: Are you able to answer this month s Music Box Kid s Corner question? If sotell your teacher for a chance to have your name in the monthly drawing. Have you seen the new Parent s Corner in the Lobby? Here you will find articles, upcoming information, and news! Check it out! Kid's Corner December/January Kid's Corner winner is: Law Sze Han!! Congratulations 7
Kid's Corner 1. Guess the composer. Who am I? I was born in Bonn, Germany, in 1770 and died in 1827. I composed 9 symphonies and lots of concertos, sonatas, and string quartets but only one opera. One of my most famous melodies is now known as Ode to Joy. I continued composing music after I became deaf in the early 1800s. 2. Match the bar to its time signature: Write your name and answers down on a slip of paper and put it into the box labeled Kid s Corner in Rachel Seay s office, room 68. Entries close on March 25th, 2019. A drawing will be held each month and a winner announced on the Kid s Corner notice board in QMA reception and maybe something special will be received.??? 8
The Music Box February 2019 Manager Passport Program from 18th-21st of Feb Yassine Ayari, Head of Arab Music Department, attended a training at HEC Paris in Doha every day from Monday 18 till Thursday 21 from 8am-4pm AMD at Our Heritage event Feb 23rd. at QF, Education City AMD has participated in the Second Edition of Our Heritage, a project initiated by the Community Development to provide a platform to all QF entities, to display their efforts towards promoting Qatari culture & heritage. The event was an opportunity for the Arab Music Department to highlight all the musical material and curriculums taught in the department. Visitors enjoyed the display and some of them have had the experience to try some of the instruments such as the Oud and Violin. 9
AMD Annual instrumental workshop February 23rd of Feb. The Arab Music Department had its annual instrumental workshop on February 23 at QMA. The idea was to have all AMD teachers sit with their students to give more attention to important details in a group class setting and help students get used to working as a group. 10
Marasi and AMD Adult Choir at Sheikh Faisal Museum, March 22 Marasi, the AMD faculty ensembles accompanied by the Adult Jawqa will be performing on Friday 22nd of March at Sheikh Faisal Museum AMD in the Press Qatar Tribune: http://www.qatar-tribune.com/news-details/id/154261 11
Important Dates: Arab Music Department ABRSM Theory Exam 2 March 2019 8.30am Doha College -Al Waab AMD Workshop series 4 to 7 of March 2019 4.00-6.00pm QMA AMD & WMD Annual Concert 16 March 2019 2.30pm QNCC Nay, Kaman and Percussion Recitals 4 April 2019 3.00-6.00pm QMA Oud and Qanun Recitals 18 April 2019 4.00-6.00pm QMA Ensemble Recital 25 April 2019 4.00-6.00pm QMA End of Year Ceremony 20 April 2019 TBC QNCC Sharqiyyat Practical Exam (2nd session) Saturday 4 May 2019 10.00am Room 35, 67 & 39 12
Important Dates: Western Music Department Classes Resume January 5th Doha College AMD and WMD Annual Concert Saturday 16th March, 2.30pm-5.30pm QNCC - Auditorium 3 Ensemble Concert - Symphonic Winds and Percussion Ensemble and Junior Symphonic Winds Thursday, March 21st Qatar Academy - Doha 51 East - Lagoona Mall Recital Friday, March 22, Time TBD 51 East - Lagoona Mall QMA Spring Holiday Friday April 5 - Friday April 12 N/A ABRSM Practical Exams April/May, Dates TBC QMA QMA End of Year Ceremony QYO, Senior and Middle Choirs Saturday, 20 April QNCC RIAM Prep 2 Theory Mock Exam Friday, April 26 QMA Western Department Ensemble concert Saturday, May 4 QMA Piano Masterclass with Antonio Galeria Lopez May 2-4 QMA Brass Day Friday, May 3, TBC QMA RIAM Prep Theory 2 Exam Saturday, May 25 QMA 13
Important Information Western Music Department Spring Recital Schedule All academic students taking ABRSM exams on their primary instruments are required to perform their 3 exam pieces in the ABRSM recitals this term. All accompaniments (music scores) must be given to your accompanists by the end of next week. Please contact your accompanists in order to schedule your rehearsals. Prep levels 15 minutes 2 rehearsals = 30 minutes total. Grade 1 to 6 30 minutes 2 rehearsals = 1 hour total. Grade 7 and 8 1 hour 2 rehearsals = 2 hours total. Diploma recital 1 hour 3 rehearsals = 3 hours total. Recial Schedules/March 2019 23 March - Saturday Teacher/Class Time/Venue Accomp. - Aydan Dobri (percussion) 2.00-3.00 / Ziriab Hall 28 March -Thursday Accomp. Aydan Mert, Ravel (Piano) 4.00-5.00pm / Ziriab Hall Christoph (Cello) 5.00-6.00pm / Ziriab Hall 29 March-Friday Lorena, Islam, Dimitri (Violin) 9.00-9.25am / Ziriab Hall Accomp. - Denys ABRSM Diploma Recital (Anna Zaffagni) 9.25-10am/Ziriab Hall Accomp. - Zhivka Aniko, Tae Hyun, Giovanni (Violin, Viola) 10.00-11.00am/Ziriab Accomp. - Zhivka Harald, Olivia, Matteo (cello, d.bass) 1.00-2:00pm/Ziriab Hall 30 March -Saturday 12:00-1:00pm/Ziriab Hall Na Young (Piano) 1.00-2.00pm / Ziriab Hall Na Young (Piano) 2.00-3.00pm/Ziriab Hall Accomp. - Debbie Anna (voice) 3.00-4.00pm/Ziriab Hall Accomp. - Debbie Colleen (Violin) 4.00-5.00pm / Ziriab Hall 19 April - Friday Zhivka (piano) 9.00-10.00am/Ziriab Hall Accomp. - Aydan Rita (Flute) 10.00-11.00am/Ziriab Accomp. - Debbie Stefan (violin) 1.00-2.00pm / Ziriab Hall Accomp. - Ai and Debbie Rachel, Thomas, Rony, Dimo (Brass, Clarinet) 2.00-3.00pm / Ziriab Hall Ai (piano) 3.00-4.00pm / Ziriab Hall Aydan (piano) 4.00-5.00pm / Ziriab Hall 14