PalMusic UK celebrated ten years as the friends of the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music with a reception in the House of Lords, kindly hosted by the Earl of Sandwich.
A gathering of some of the supporters, musicians, committee and politicians who’ve helped young Palestinian musicians over the decade.
Our last ten years have seen us help with a UK tour of the Palestine Youth Orchestra (PYO),support the activities of ESNCM in Palestine and give financial aid to gifted, young Palestinian musicians in the UK.
We were very touched to receive a letter from Suhail Khoury, the Director of the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music, to mark our 10th anniversary. In his letter he said:
“You have given scores of young Palestinians an opportunity to experience music and make it part of their lives, which has changed the course of the futures of many. Your support for the Conservatory’s branch in Gaza has been instrumental in keeping the school open against all odds.”
Now we need your help to support young Palestinian musicians and ESNCM for the next ten years. We need strong and lasting financial support to fulfil our mandate to be active friends of the ESNCM.
The ESNCM has asked for funds to support their community outreach programme in marginalised communities: community outreach in Shufat and Silwan in East Jerusalem, Al-Dheisheh Refugee Camp in Bethlehem, in Hebron in Gaza and in Ramallah. This is in addition to supporting their musical teaching programme.
The ESNCM is also focused on setting up choirs as a major component of community outreach. They are working towards creating choirs in Gaza that can participate in community activities.This will represent a major breakthrough for disseminating music and encouraging music appreciation and interest particularly within the public sphere in Gaza.
ESNCM also need support for their core musical teaching programme. The monthly cost to the ESNCM of a teacher based in the West Bank is £1300 and £1670 in Jerusalem. Please help towards towards the annual cost of a salary.
You can donate via our website or, if you’d prefer to do a bank transfer, please email contact@palmusic.org.uk. To inspire you further, here is a link showing the visit of a group of students from Gaza and the West Bank to the UK to make ‘Common Ground’ with other young people from around the world. We hope you enjoy it.