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Abu Dhabi Festival Children’s Day Is Education Program Highlight |
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Excitement, laughter and musical mayhem rocked the stage at the Emirates Palace Auditorium last night as a group of talented youngsters from across the Emirate took over the venue for the Abu Dhabi Festival’s Children’s Day. Organized by the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF), the evening saw the young musicians performing original compositions, in Western and Arabic styles, created as part of the Festival’s education program and emphasising ADMAF’s commitment to nurturing and encouraging artistic expression in children throughout the region. The young musicians brilliantly rose to the challenge of playing their works, delighting the rapt audience from the same stage that only days previously had hosted the Puccini Festival Opera’s production of La Bohème, pianist Krzysztof Jablonski and leading composer and conductor Krzysztof Penderecki. The children’s work had been devised during a series of workshops at the British School Al Khubairat last week. They had been guided by cellist and music education expert, Matthew Barley, who returned to the festival for the third year, with his improvisation group Between The Notes. Talking about this year’s workshops and Children’s Day, Matthew Barley said: “Allowing children to really experience the joys of music is one of the great pleasures of attending the Abu Dhabi Festival year after year. I am still in contact with students who attended my workshops and have now joined the music industry years later. It gives me great pleasure to have been a part of their development.” Earlier that day, the performers took to the stage to perform a series of individual recitals in an open matinee concert, where an appreciative audience of family, friends, schoolmates and Festival guests applauded Abu Dhabi’s future stars. Schools taking part included Al Yasmina School, Elite Music Institute, Sheikh Zayed Private Academy, Ministry of Culture Youth & Community Development Piano Centre, Al Fajr English School, Indian School, Al Murooj Scientific Private School, Expressions of Dance and Drama, Katarina Peers Music School, Rosary School, Marielle Rivet Music School and British School Al Khubairat.. Mrs Hoda Al Khamis Kanoo, Founder and Artistic Director of the Abu Dhabi Festival said: “Matthew Barley’s work with the children of Abu Dhabi, with Between The Notes, has been one of the most cherished parts of our festival for many years. Yesterday’s performances were a beautiful, powerful reminder of the enriching effect of music on children and adults alike, and an impressive demonstration of our nation’s young musical talent. It gives me great pleasure to be able to bring them the opportunity to work directly with world-class performers as part of the Abu Dhabi Festival 2010.” Speaking about the educational program at the Festival, Mrs Kanoo added: “Education is at the heart of the Abu Dhabi Festival. We have worked tirelessly to embed arts and culture into the capital and throughout the seven emirates. By inspiring youngsters to embrace the arts, they will contribute to the creation of a thriving cultural center for Abu Dhabi.” Alongside the Children’s Day performances, highlights of the Abu Dhabi Festival’s education program this year include The Salzburg Marionette Theatre’s performances of ‘The Sound of Music’, Birmingham Stage Company performances and workshops for Shakespeare’s ‘Twelfth Night’, Live Music Now! workshops with students at Abu Dhabi special needs centres, as well as pre-concert talks for main festival program and a series of Festival debates. ADMAF also undertakes a year-long education program to advance the arts through performances, workshops and lectures in schools, colleges and theaters across the UAE. The Abu Dhabi Festival 2010 is held under the patronage of His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and runs until 7 April. This year’s Festival is a feast of arts and culture with more than 90 events over three weeks, fusing world-class performances in traditional, classical and jazz music, drama, fine arts, and ballet. |
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