News from ESNCM
We are deeply saddened to report that the ESNCM is Gaza has been severely damaged. The branch’s door has been bombed open and a large proportion of the building has been burned and heavily damaged, and instruments and equipment destroyed.
The Yamaha piano, however, has miraculously survived the destruction. It was donated to Gaza by Japan in 1998 and has survived years of bombing. Restored by the Music Fund, it was given to the ESNCM in 2018. It is a poignant symbol of the resilience of the Palestinian people and if you would like to learn more about the piano, you can watch this BBC story here.
‘The sole grand piano in Gaza serves as a witness to this destruction, surviving once more, eagerly awaiting the chance to be played again soon. We are committed to continuing to enrich people's lives through music’ - ESNCM.
The ESNCM is certainly resilient, and we have immense admiration for our colleagues. After October 7, 2023, the main concern for the ESNCM during the ongoing bombardment in Gaza has been its teachers, students, partners, and the music community. They have been continuing to pay teaching staff and collaborating with partners to raise funds for humanitarian aid for artists displaced to Rafah. ESNCM is also preparing a new initiative in the Rafah area, which will bring musicians together to provide uplifting musical activities to children. For more about artists in Rafah, see ‘From our Friends’, below.
In Jerusalem, Ramallah, and Bethlehem, teaching face-to-face is continuing, albeit that teachers and students are struggling to reach the branches. The closure of main roads is a challenge, with long travel times and often thwarted journeys. PalMusic is looking to increase its provision of Long-Distance Learning online to assist in this.
Finally, we also want to share our deepest condolences with the family and friends of Lubna Alyaan, a young violinist who died in Gaza on 21 November 2023. You can read this tribute to her here.
Music from the ESNCM
We hope you might enjoy watching these recent performances. These are the children's choir at the Bethlehem branch, ‘Homeland of Peace’ and the Ramallah branch wind band and the LAPA-LOYAC Academy in Kuwait with a solidarity song.
Thank you
We want to say a huge heartfelt thank you to everyone who generously donated in response to our ‘Spirit of Palestine’ Christmas concert online. The concert raised £8,500 of vital funds.
Rescheduling our 10th Anniversary Concert
Southwark Cathedral sadly postponed our 10th Anniversary Concert in October. We are intending to re-mount this concert, one year on, finally to celebrate PalMusic’s achievements and its supporters, and to raise funds for the ESNCM. We are currently working on a new date and will let you know when it will be very soon.
From our Friends
PalMusic and our partner the Music Fund want to share details with you of a crowdfunding campaign to raise money for an artist’s shelter in Gaza. Al Kamandjâti, The Edward Said National Conservatory of Music, the Delia Arts Foundation and Jafra Productions have teamed up to help, but money and resources are lacking. For more information or to contribute, visit their website.
We hope to see you on 10 December.
COMMITTEE: Agnès Baetens /Lord Cope of Berkeley* Patron / Wissam Boustany* / Jay Crossland / Viscount Eccles CBE / John Harte / Countess of Sandwich, Caroline Montagu(Chair)* / Lena Saleh* / Suha Tuqan / Usama Tuqan* / Nicola Woodward
*Trustees
ADDRESS: 1 Gough Square, London EC4A 3DE |E MAIL: contact@palmusic.org.uk |TELEPHONE: 07980 270671
Registered Name: The Friends of the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music UK Charity: No. 1152645
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