Jessica Hill
A first-of-its-kind, grass-roots music festival featuring local musicians playing an array of genres is now in full swing in Al Ain.
The Al Ain Music Festival is the brainchild of the Al Ain resident Martin Hill. The British citizen is an English teacher at Al Jaheli Institute of Science and Technology, who founded the Sohar Music Festival across the border in Oman, before he moved to Al Ain two years ago.
"After WOMAD [World of Music Arts and Dance] decided to discontinue its concerts in Al Ain, and the series of classical concerts came to an end, there was a vacuum – in my eyes, at least, that clearly had to be filled by someone," says Hill. "It's great that so many world-class performers are performing on Yas and there are so many large-scale music festivals in Dubai. However, in my view, there's also a need for a platform to showcase the great plethora of locally based talent, otherwise it dissipates. And I was surprised to find quite so many musicians here in Al Ain. Every time I turn around, I bump into yet another guitarist."
Hill turned to the Al Ain's House of Arts director Gabriele Malzahn, from Germany, to find musicians willing to play at the festival and they recommended their guitar teacher, the Texan Bryan Dedman, who has previously played alongside the music legends B?B King and Willie Nelson. Dedman hastily formed The Bryan Dedman Band with fellow teachers from House of Arts – the drummer Kamalesh Pillai from India and the bassist Eliezer Ayson from the Philippines – to play at the opening night of the festival last Friday. Other local acts that performed include, The Trucial Coast Band, The Sounding Boards and DJ Bad Tempo.
Hill also approached Hasan Wahbah, a computer engineering professor at Al Ain University, to ask if his group Takht Sharqi would play at a classical concert. A former English Folk Band violinist, Wahbah started playing his qanun (a flat instrument with 27 strings) 13 years ago.
"This music festival is a rare thing in this country. Most people are performing for money, at a hotel or restaurant, but we are performing at a public place for free so everyone is welcome to come," says Hill.
Hill wanted to give young, emerging performers the chance to shine, so he collaborated with the Al Ain Chamber Orchestra and House of Arts music students.
Malzahn explains the arrangement: "House of Arts has a pool of professionals who are devoted to teaching but are also talented performers themselves and don't usually get the opportunity to show that. The special thing is that the chamber orchestra director Dan Turcan works at House of Arts, so students will get orchestral support from the Chamber Orchestra, in arrangements he has written to suit them."
The 14-year-old Emirati violinist Nasser Al Jenaibi says he joined the House of Arts as one of its first students seven years ago.
"My inspiration is my father, who plays oud and loves music," he explains. "I have been very lucky to experience different teachers from various countries and different musical backgrounds. Playing music makes me happy and I often play with my father at home. The music I like most is the one from Riad Al Sunbati, I like his pieces very much.
"I have played in the House of Arts student orchestra before, but this time it will be my first time playing solo. I like to chase goals and feel proud when I can finally achieve them."
Fatima Ali Mohammad is an 18-year-old Palestinian guitar student who will be performing at the Young Musicians Evening.
"It's my first time playing in a concert like this and I'm really enjoying practising with the other people in the orchestra – it gives me a real high," she says. "I can't wait to show my friends and family what I've been up to outside my university studies. It is nearly my 19th birthday, so playing in a concert this big will be my ahla hdiye [best gift]."
• The Classical Evening Concert is today at 6.45pm at UAEU's Multaqa Social Club auditorium. It features five of the UAE's leading pianists – Ioannis Potamousis, Katarina Peers, Jordan Rashkov, Yana Welch and Gulmira Abdulkhalikova – playing Chopin. The Al Ain Music Festival runs until November 29. Visit alainmusicfestival.com
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BOX OUT
* the highlights
Choral Evening
Friday, November 15, 6.45pm at Al Qattara Arts Centre
Al Ain Choral Society will be joined by House of Arts Youth Choir, the Brighton College Al Ain Girls' Choir, and the AAESS Choir
Young Musicians Evening
Friday, November 22, 6pm at Brighton College
Young musicians supported by Al Ain Chamber Orchestra
Grand Finale Friday
November 29, 7pm at the Khalifa Auditorium, UAEU
Al Ain Chamber Orchestra along with musical instructors from House of Arts, performing solos and duets
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