By Abdalrahman Ayad
UNIVERSITY CITY, SHARJAH – A Nov. 20 concert at American University of Sharjah will feature separate performances by the Arabic Music Ensemble and the AUS Concert Choir.
Interviewed in September, Asst. Prof. Albert Agha said the AME, which now includes about two dozen musicians, will perform a range of pieces, including several songs with music composed by Syed Darwish, who died in 1923. Featured pieces by Darwish will be Khafif Elrouh (Light Soul) and Shid-dou Alhizam (Pull the Rope). The audience should expect violin and oud solos within the pieces, he added.
Agha added the AME will also perform a Longa, a style which originated in Turkey, and which is known for advanced technique and fast pace.
Agha described the AME as concentrating on performing classical Arabic Music from countries such as Egypt, Syria, Lebanon and the gulf with a contemporary style. It plays a different repertoire every semester, but with the same spirit of traditional and classical Arabic music.
AUS Concert Choir
In an October interview, the director of the AUS Concert Choir, Dr. Damon Dandridge, described its repertoire as generally a mix of classic and modern Western choral music.
The theme of the AUS Choir’s portion of the Nov. 20 program is called “Winter Folk,”
and will include songs related to winter, such as The Snow by Ruth Morris Gray.
“Winter Folk,” he said, “weaves together the warmth of the season with the rich storytelling of global folk traditions.” This program, Dandridge noted, will blend melodies from Sweden, South Africa, and America. The goal, he said, is “celebrating shared humanity through song.”
“Listeners can expect a tapestry of rhythms and harmonies,” he said, “that reflect both the spirit of winter and the diverse voices of world folk music.”
He noted that some AME members also share duties within the AUS Concert Choir and added that he expected a full house in the Performing Arts building’s main rotunda, which seats about 100 people.
The concert is expected to last 90 minutes. It will be preceded by a sound check on Nov. 18 and a final rehearsal the following day.
This year will mark the first time the AME and AUS Concert Choir will perform at the same event since Spring 2023, although they will perform separately.
