In a particularly unique gesture, students from Al Kamandjâti Association in Lebanon joined Palestinian-American artist Simon Shaheen on stage for his concert “Simon Shaheen and Friends”. The concert took place on June 12, 2017, in Al-Madina Theater in Hamra, Beirut.
Shaheen introduced the students to the audience, which gave them a warm welcome as they took the stage, draped in Palestinian keffiyehs and embroidered costumes. Joined by Shaheen, the students performed an instrumental piece as well as “The Jenin Medley”, a medley of Palestinian folk songs. The performance ignited the audience, which showed great enthusiasm and participation.
The participating students are: Noor Abu Rayya (Oud), Ahmad Asswad (Pipe), Dawood Hussein (Violin), Khaleel Abd Al-Mo’ti (Percussions), Omar Ahmad (Vocals).
Shaheen’s invitation to young musicians from the Palestinian refugee communities in Lebanon represented an important and encouraging initiative, as it allowed the students to join a number of renowned Lebanese artists in the same show. This included artists Abboud Saadi (Bass Guitar), Ghada Ghanem (Vocals), Charbel Rouhana (Oud), Nabeel Ahmar (Percussions) and Bassam Saba (Flute and pipe).
Furthermore, the students participated at the Fête de la Musique festivities, held in Beirut by the French Cultural Center on June 21 of every year.
The Music Education Program at Al Kamandjâti is supported by the AMQF project ‘SELAT: Links through the Arts’. The Program’s lessons are held in the Beit Atfal Assumoud Center in the Palestinian refugee camps of Shatila and Burj El Barajneh in Lebanon.