The ESNCM Gaza Music School
In September 2018, Palmusic UK launched a new initiative for continuing training for teachers through video conference – Skype channels. This training targets teachers primarily, however a selection of students attend and participate as well.
Wissam Boustany, Artistic Adviser of Palmusic UK, in cooperation with Anas Al Najjar (ESNCM Gaza), is facilitating this project with professionals from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. Piano sessions have already started with Aleksander Szram to be followed soon by guitar training.
Many thanks to Wissam Boustany, Anas Al Najjar, Aleksander Szram, Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, and to all those who collaborated to putting this project up. Many thanks also to all our supporters who made this possible.
The motivation and commitment of the ESNCM – Gaza Music School are a source of pride and inspiration to all of us.
As part of the annual festival of Arabic Music ‘Mahrajan Layali El Tarab Fe Quds El Arab’ organised by the ESNCM across the Occupied Palestinian Territories, this November the Gaza Music School had two concerts Gaza City and Khan Younes directed by Anas Al Najjar.
The Gaza Orchestra on the 28th November concert in Gaza City
Watch the video here.
A few days earlier, on the 25th of November, the pianist Kaoru Imahigashi and the ESNCM Gaza Music School gave new birth to the famous and only Grand Piano of Gaza. This piano was donated in 2008 by the Japanese Development Cooperation to the Palestinian Ministry of Culture.
Read more here.
Listen here below to BBC radio 4 featuring Sara Aqel, the Gaza student playing, now continuing her studies in Germany
Watch the BBC documentary here.
Last but not least, and not from Gaza, we recommend reading this article about the only violin maker in Palestine, Shehada Shalalda.
“Music is a powerful instrument of peace,” says Shalada. “I won’t stop building bridges between cultures thanks to these beautiful instruments, violins.”