About us
We are the UK ambassadors for the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music in Palestine which provides musical education of the highest quality to young Palestinians.
The story of PalMusic UK
The Friends of the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music UK (ESNCM) was established as a UK charity in 2012. Its aim was to support ESNCM in its mission, “to teach and promote music to all Palestinians wherever they are, within the framework of strengthening the cultural and national identity”.
Lena Saleh, Usama Tuqan, Lord Cope, Michel Massih, Robin Kealy, Wissam Boustany, Lord Eccles and Caroline McCormick made up the founding committee. The Friends became known as PalMusic UK in 2013.
Read on to find out what PalMusic UK fundraising makes possible…
2022
In 2022 we have been able to start enjoying live music again. PalMusic UK hosted a concert with incredible young concert pianist, Iyad Sughayer, at St George's Bristol. We look forward to sharing more events with you soon.
2017-2021: PalMusic UK Concerts
In 2017, 2018 and 2019, PalMusic UK Scholars Omar Saad, Tibah Saad and Lourdina Baboun tour the UK, raising funds for ESNCM through concerts.
Other concerts have featured internationally renowned musicians including, The Chilingirian Quartet, Tasmin Little, Nigel Kennedy, Piers Lane, Sian Edwards, Nai Barghouti, Dima Bawab, Iyad Sughayer and Wissam Boustany.
Long Distance Learning
In partnership with the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, PalMusic UK assists the Long-Distance Learning programme for ESNCM music students/teachers in Gaza, providing regular Skype masterclasses.
We finance scholarships for young musicians in Palestine to study at the ESNCM and provide instruments to the school.
We award scholarships for advanced Palestinian musicians to study at UK conservatoires.
Recipients to date include Marc Kawwas (piano, Chetham’s School of Music); Maya Khalidi (singing, Guildhall School of Music & Drama); Tibah Saad (cello, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland); Omar Saad (viola, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland); Lourdina Baboun (violin, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire).
We make a real difference in the lives of young Palestinians.
Grants, Bursaries & Scholarships
We provide grants/bursaries for young Palestinian musicians to attend intensive summer courses in the UK.
We send British musicians to Palestine to give master classes:
Levon Chilingirian (violin)
Juan Lluna (clarinet)
Wissam Boustany (flute)
Aleksander Szram (piano)
Karin Norlen (viola)
2016: PYO UK Tour 2016
In August 2016, PalMusic promoted a highly successful six-city UK tour for the Palestine Youth Orchestra (PYO). Conducted by PalMusic’s Patron Sian Edwards, the PYO visited Glasgow, Perth, Leeds, Birmingham and Cardiff, culminating in a wonderful performance at the Royal Festival Hall in London.
2016: Palestine National Competition
In June 2016, PalMusic UK facilitated London performances for students from the Gaza branch of ESNCM.
2014: Palestine National Competition
In 2014, we sent musicians from Britain as judges for the Palestine National Competition.
2013: BBC Proms
In 2013, we provided logistical and financial support for the ESNCM Palestine Strings to perform with Nigel Kennedy in the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall.
Please donate
Your contribution helps to make all of these things possible.
About ESNCM
The National Conservatory of Music was established in 1993 with the efforts of a small group of Palestinian musicians. The first branch was established in Ramallah with 40 students, three part time teachers and one volunteer director.
In 2004, as a tribute to the late Palestinian intellectual and pianist, the conservatory became known as the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music (ESNCM).
By 2014, it had five branches in Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Gaza, Nablus and Ramallah. Today, about two thousand students are enrolled within all the different branches of the ESNCM and its outreach programme.
ESNCM’s ambitious vision is to have a lively and creative musical culture in every Palestinian home.
Our Mission
To enhance
the musical training and experience of students, teachers and local community through master classes, artistic collaborations and performance opportunities.
To support
Long Distance Learning for instrumental and student/teacher training through video sessions with students at the Gaza branch of ESNCM and other areas in particular need.
To expand
the musical horizons and experience of young Palestinians through instrument provision, scholarships and bursaries within Palestine.
To showcase
Palestinian talent in the UK by organising concerts and other events.
To raise
the profile of Palestinian musicians in the international community and foster collaborations between ESNCM and music institutions in the UK.