Muscat Chamber Music Series to boost music education

Ahmed Abouzahra, GM and founder of Arabesque, introduced the new programme at an event held under the patronage of Jaime Bowden, outgoing ambassador to the UK and Northern Ireland, and Hans-Christian Freiherr von Reibnitz, ambassador of Germany

Muscat: Arabesque International, a performing arts promotion company based in Oman, launched a new music education initiative called the Muscat Chamber Music Series on Monday evening.

Ahmed Abouzahra, GM and founder of Arabesque, introduced the new programme at an event held under the patronage of Jaime Bowden, outgoing ambassador to the UK and Northern Ireland, and Hans-Christian Freiherr von Reibnitz, ambassador of Germany.

The aim of the Muscat Chamber Music Series is to provide music workshops and free concerts so that people in Oman can learn more about the value of music.

"It is very much needed if you have an opera house with such an incredible programme. For the opera house to have a greater impact on Omanis, they need to be aware of the value of music first. They need to be in contact with music," Abouzahra told Times of Oman in an interview before the launch.

Abouzahra said music isn't just a luxury or entertainment. Music is about rhythm and harmony, which are linked to productivity, so music can help a society develop in many ways, including economically and politically.

"In any kind of development, music is there. If you have generation of people who know music, they will be more creative in their professions. You need creativity in all professions," he said.

The Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM) is great for big productions, but there aren't many concerts for the public at a smaller, less formal level. The Muscat Chamber Music Series, which will focus on smaller musical ensembles in more intimate locations, will complement the events at the ROHM, Abouzahra noted.

While the term "chamber music" is often associated with small classical music ensembles, Abouzahra plans on having a variety of musical genres in the series, from Gipsy music and jazz, to Arab and classical. He hopes the musicians will also collaborate with Omani musicians.

He suggests people who have never seen an opera may not like it if they don't have much exposure to classical music first. "The idea started from the gap I felt in Oman," he said.

Education is a big part of this initiative, too. Each of the visiting artists or groups will spend a minimum of 10 days holding musical workshops before their concerts. These will educate children, youth and other segments of the community about different types of music.

"We are going to choose the artists based on first how they communicate and share music with the young generation," Abouzahra explained.

Arabesque International hopes to launch the series in January, and have monthly workshops followed by the public concerts. They already have a list of artists ready and willing to participate from countries including Hungary, England, Slovakia, the Netherlands, China, Lebanon, Egypt, and Syria.

The concerts will complement the programming at the ROHM and help young Omanis especially learn more about music from the artists directly.

"I agree with Ahmed [Abouzahra] because the musicians who come ought to spend more time to get to know Oman and we need to get to know the music at a deeper level," said Nasser Al Taee, Advisor to the Board for Education and Outreach at the ROHM.

The workshops and concerts will take place in a variety of locations, such as hotels, museums, schools, and even in outdoors, depending on the type of music. Bait Al Zubair has expressed some interest in the program and could possibly play host to a future event.

"I think it's an incredibly worthwhile initiative. Part of Bait Al Zubair's vision is to actually engage with the community in the arts, whether it be visual arts, music or any kind of creativity so engaging in a project like that could fit very well within the mission and vision and actually help things happen in the country," said Paul Doubleday, GM and curator of Bait Al Zubair.

Arabesque is looking for financial support for the Muscat Chamber Music Series, but even if they don't get complete funding, they will foot the bill on their own. Abouzahra believes deeply in sharing music with society, regardless of the cost.

"When business is only hunting for money, it has no meaning. I believe in music. I come from an artist family who raised me to understand the value of art and culture in any society," he said.

The embassies of the UK and Northern Ireland and Germany have already said they will provide whatever support they can to the initiative.

Hans-Christian Freiherr von Reibnitz, ambassador of Germany to Oman, said his embassy will help by finding German artists to get involved, and helping find locations and students. He added that it's important to support a program that helps children develop an appreciation for music.

"I am not a pianist but I used to play the piano for 16 years and I have taught all my children to have an instrument to play on their own. They find serenity while using their instruments and playing a bit of music. This will give them strength and calmness to live in this world and be good citizens," said von Reibnitz.