Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture

Al-Bustan is pleased to form a new Arab Music Ensemble, led by violinist Hanna Khoury, with guest percussionist Hafez El Ali Kotain. The repertoire is classical Arab music, including original compositions by Simon Shaheen.

Violinist Hanna Khoury and Percussionist Hafez El Ali Kotain perform at Al-Bustan Camp 2009

• Participation is open to SINGERS OF ALL LEVELS and INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED MUSICIANS playing strings, wind, or percussion, who are 3rd-12th graders and college students.  No prior experience in singing/playing Arab music required.

• First demonstration workshop is held on September 23rd, 7-9 PM (bring your instrument)

• Group instruction is held on Wednesday evenings at U-Penn campus beginning September 30th

• Additional instrumental instruction on Tuesdays, starting September 29, 8-9:30 PM – open to all ages
  

• Ensemble to perform in a Spring 2010 Concert with Simon Shaheen

Singers meet 6-7:30 PM,  Instrumentalists meet 7-9 PM

All sessions held at Parish Hall of St. Mary’s Church (on the U-Penn campus), 3916 Locust Walk, in West Philadelphia

Fee: $220 for the fall semester (11 sessions) from September 23 – December 9 (No session on November 25)

If interested in supplementing group instruction, or learning to play an Arab instrument, private instruction is available with experienced musicians on the ‘oud, nay, flute, violin, viola, and percussion.

To download registration form, click here: Ensemble Registration, or contact Al-Bustan at 267-809-3668.

This program is funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Hanna Khoury at Al-Bustan Camp

Music Director HANNA KHOURY

Hanna, a Palestinian-Israeli, is a violinist trained in both Western classical and Arabic classical music styles. As the music director of the Arabesque Music Ensemble, Hanna has led nationwide tours performing traditional Arab music in major venues and universities, and he has recorded two traditional Arab music albums with the Arabesque Music Ensemble: The Songs of Sheikh Sayyed Darweesh: Soul of People, and Al Fursan Al-Talatha.  He is a violinist and Arab music advisor with Intercultural Journey, frequently performing with cellist Ohad Bar David. This fall, the two musicians will premiere a concerto by Kareem Roustom.  Hanna recently toured with Lebanese superstar Fairuz and played lead violin with Iraqi singer Kazem Al-Saher, and grammy winner Youssu NDour.  In addition, Hanna can be heard on several pop songs including Grammy nominated song Beautiful Liar (featuring Beyonce and Shakira), and Love and Compassion (featuring Paula Cole and Kazem Al Saher). Hanna recorded strings for Shakira’s grammy performance of Hips Don’t Lie, and he has collaborated with musician/composer Kareem Roustom on multiple projects including releasing an Arabic jazz album with Al-Zafeer Ensemble.  A recipient of the America-Israel Scholarship and Qattan Foundation Award, Hanna graduated Magna Cum-Laude with departmental honors from UCLA with Bachelors in Economics and Music Performance, and obtained his Masters degree in Music from Temple University. Hanna taught music at Al-Bustan Camp 2009.

Hafez El Ali Kotain at Al-Bustan Camp

Percussion Teacher HAFEZ EL ALI KOTAIN

Hafez is an accomplished master percussionist, fluent in both Arab and Latin rhythms. Born in Venezuela of Syrian heritage, he grew up in Syria until the age of 16 years.  He began playing the doumbek at the age of seven,  first performed on stage when he was nine, and went on to study with master Syrian percussionist Hady Jazan, winning the regional percussion competitions in Syria for five consecutive years. In Venezuela he studied percussion at the TMV Institute for Music in Valencia, where he also taught middle and high school students for several years, blending Arab and Latino music.  Since beginning his residency in Philadelphia, he continues  playing Arab percussion, singing maqam, and performing with a variety of musicians.  Hafez has taught percussion with Al-Bustan the past three years.

Examples of Al-Bustan’s Music Instruction

• Video overview of Music Education Program in 2008-09
• Video of music at Al-Bustan Camp in July 2009