This festive choral event will be a unique occasion to meet and exchange with other choirs and vocal ensembles of Lebanon, and various international choirs and vocal ensembles from Europe and Arabic countries.
The festival will show-off, nationally and internationally, the vitality, the richness, and the variety of the Lebanese choral scene.
It is the first step toward promoting and developing choral singing and the composition of Arabic music for choirs in Lebanon and the Arab world through choir networking on an international scale.
To proudly defend an image of the Arabic countries through the values of choral singing: mutual understanding, co-operation, self-development, living together, promoting peace, and being transformed by each other’s cultures and heritages thanks to the unique experience of vibrating together when we sing in harmony!
We hope that by choir networking, conductors, composers, singers, international choral experts and managers will come together to discover new methods, share their expertise, stimulate new networks and explore choral music in the Mediterranean region.
This year’s forum is a unique occasion for over 50 international choral specialists and music experts to learn about oriental choral music, discover the Lebanese choral scene and its musical characteristics, practices, repertoire, organizations, and so on. It is also an opportunity for the Lebanese to develop new ways to collaborate and share their own musical vibrations with international and local musical experts and colleagues.
Participating Countries
The 2nd Lebanese International Choir Festival is organized by Fayha Choir with the help of Polyfollia International
PARTICIPANTS
CONCERTS
COUNTRIES
SPEAKER
The SSCC Zahlé Rassié College’s Choir was founded in 1986 by Mrs Maude Freiji who gathered the children during recesses and initiated them to choir singing. Her voluntary work that perpetuated for 15 years was fruitful. Sister Hiam Abboud brought back the traditional Christmas Concert in 2001. But that latter was interrupted in 2005. Mrs Andrée Gedeon Assi relaunched the choir in 2011 with the “Rencontres musicales autour de la chanson francaise” in which the choir hasn’t ceased to participate. Two liturgical events are celebrated each year by the choir: the Christmas and the “Sacré Coeur” mass. The choir also sings songs of “variétés francaises”, as well as Lebanese songs, and approaches the classical repertory. The choir performed Flashmobs in Zahleh in 2015, also for two years in a row at the “ Marché de Noel” at “Domaine de Taanayel” , and this year in the “Marché de Noel” organized by Zahleh municipality. The 80 students of 8 to 17 years old usually join together during the recess to learn, share, practice and perform a teamwork filled with passion. Promoting the man, any man and the whole of the man is one of the aims of the SSCC. We had perceived what Jean-Paul II said once:”Beauty will save us”.
Bass Jahar is an Egyptian musician band, Presents Egyptian and oriental folklore music by A Capella singing style that considering the human voice as the main tool to produce special music. Required experience of audition types and different vocal melodies, as well as produce a new list of songs depending on such style.
Bass Jahar has been formed by four singers and musicians with a long experience of singing with many different languages in many international music festivals. That kind of experience supported them to fulfill effective achievements in the Egyptian culture. Band members (Afraim Alfy, Bahaa Ayoub , Karim Nassar , Mahmoud Waheed ) are participants of Cairo Opera house successes by participation as main members in A Capella Choir where Bass Jahar members has met each other many years ago.
Bass Jahar achievements and participations:
Bass Jahar members joined to many musical international festivals as: A Capella Choir at Cairo Opera House– Beijing Olympics choir festival 2008– Praxa Opera in Oman Royal Opera House 2012- China International Choral Festival and World Youth Choral Education Conference 2014– Resalet Salam (Peace of Message) band in Serbia, France, German, Italy and England– Participation in Antar & Ablaa Opera in spring of culture festival in Bahrain.
GARGATCH Children Choir of Hamazkayin was established to refine the artistic taste of up-and-coming generation in 1997 by Maestro Zakar Keshishian , its founding artistic director and conductor.
GARGATCH has performed annual concerts in Lebanon and held a series of concerts in Armenia (2001) and Cyprus (2007, 2009) for over 20.000 listeners. During the past eighteen yerars, GARGATCH had more than 600 members performing scores of songs written and composed by talented poets and composers who regularly enriched its repertoire with songs exclusively composed for the choir. The annual programs of the choir includes multi-lingual, classical and contemporary songs.
GARGATCH is respected among the professional children’s choirs in Lebanon singing in 4 parts (quatre voix).
In addition to annual concerts, GARGATCH has performed Christmas concerts organized by the Lebanese American University (December 2009) and by Friends of Al Bustan Festival (December 2009).In recent years, GARGATCH regularly participated in “Beirut Chants”- The Festival of Sacred Music with program consisting of multi-lingual, classical and contemporary Christmas carols and songs. Last year (2014) GARGATCH performed an special concert as part of the AUB Zaki Nassif Program Music Festival.
The Zürcher Sing-Akademie was founded in 2011, when British conductor, Tim Brown, was invited to set up a new concert choir as choral partner of the Tonhalle Orchestra of Zürich, Switzerland, drawing on the best available professional singers of the region. Its first five seasons have included making celebrated appearances with the Tonhalle Orchestra, Staatskapelle Berlin, Argovia Philharmonic, and l’Orchestre de la Suisse Romande – to name but a few - under conductors including Giovanni Antonini, Daniel Barenboim, Ivor Bolton, Lionel Bringuier, the late Frans Brüggen, Charles Dutoit, Bernhard Haitink, Pablo Heras-Casado, René Jacobs, Neeme Järvi, Ton Koopman, Krzysztof Penderecki, Donald Runnicles und David Zinman. In 2014 the Zürcher Sing-Akademie performed Bach’s St. John’s Passion at the BBC Proms in a much-acclaimed performance with the Zurich Chamber Orchestra under Sir Roger Norrington. The Zürcher Sing-Akademie’s own projects have likewise developed rapidly, including concert tours to Germany and Israel, and partnerships with ensembles as diverse as the Alan Parsons Live Project, Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, Israel Camerata Jerusalem, the Rolling Stones, the Bavarian State Opera and Orchestra La Scintilla – the baroque orchestra of the Zurich Opera House. Apart from the professional choir, the Sing-Akademie also develops programmes for keen amateur singers, students and conductors. The choir embraces a wide range of musical styles, its flexible resources enabling it to tackle not only the choral–orchestral works of Bruckner, Britten or Bach but also a cappella works, and specially commissioned works from Swiss and international composers such as Lera Auerbach, Burkhard Kinzler, and Nico Muhly. Andreas Felber is the Interim Artistic Director of the Zürcher Sing-Akademie in 2016/17.
The vocal ensemble Connected was formed in 2016 and is a part of the Chamber Choir of Scandinavia. The group consists of professional singers, all with the passion to create a connection between different vocal traditions and between the audience and the singers. All of the singers are former members of the World Youth Choir, a project with a goal to educate “Global citizens” by letting young musicians from different cultures sing and tour together.
Giulia Montanari is an Italian Soprano who grew up in Germany and is currently studying Voice and Music Theatre in Weimar (Germany). Alongside this she has degrees in Musicology and Languages. As a keen concert soloist, she performs a wide range of oratorio repertoire and is starting her career as an opera singer. Her work with international ensembles (World Youth Choir, Chamber Choir of Europe, Chamber Choir of Scandinavia) has led her all throughout Europe
Ingvill Espedal is a musician from Bergen, Norway. She has a bachelor degree in singing and music pedagogy from the Grieg Academy in Bergen, and a master’s degree in singing and cultural entrepreneurship from The Royal College of Music in Stockholm, Sweden.
In addition to solo work, she performs with different choirs and ensembles, and has a great passion for choral music.
Julia Selina Blank from Germany is a conductor, singer and music pedagogue and currently studying choral conducting with Grete Pedersen at the Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo. Having worked with various choirs in Munich and Stockholm, she founded Junges Vokalensemble München, which she has been conducting since 2014. Besides performing solo in Lied and Oratorio, she was also member of many ensembles such as the Bavarian State Youth Choir and the Philharmonic Choir Munich. She sang in the World Youth Choir in 2010 and was section leader in 2016.
Victoria Liedbergius studied singing at the Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel and singing with early music as specialization at Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln. She grew up in Sweden but is presently living and working in Norway. Victoria sang in the World Youth Choir from 2004 to 2007. Besides singing, Victoria is also a choral manager and the administrative director of the organization for children and youth choirs in Norway.
Linnéa Sjöberg studied at Adolf Fredriks musikklasser, Stockholms musikgymnasium and Ersta Sköndal Högskola (church music, college). She is a singer, church musician and choir conductor.
Currently she is working as a church musician at the Swedish Church in Vienna and singing in different choirs and ensembles (Wiener Kammerchor, Wiener Singverein, Wiener Motettenchor, Vokalensemble Oktogon, Cantus Iuvenis). Also asked for projects as singer/conductor within the Swedish community.
Sofia Ågren studied choral and orchestral conductor at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm, Sweden. She also has a Master of Education in music (with choir conducting and classical singing as main subjects). As a part of her studies she has worked with the Swedish Radio Choir and Eric Ericson Chamber Choir (prof. Fredrik Malmberg, Mats Nilsson, Helene Stureborg). Sofia is currently working as a teacher of choral singing at the music schools Adolf Fredriks Musikklasser and Stockholms Musikgymnasium in Stockholm. She is also the project leader of "Levande körmusik", a Swedish national platform for contemporary choral music and composers.
“Les Voix du Chœur » (VDC) is a Moroccan choir, gathering nearly 30 choir singers that come from very different backgrounds but that share the passion for choral music.
Lying between tradition and modernity, the VDC interprets a rich repertoire that includes Classical, Jazz, Gospel, Pop and revisited Moroccan music.
The journey of the VDC has always been driven by the will to continuously research and explore musical styles whilst still appreciating the beauty of singing universal masterpieces.
What really makes VDC different is their capacity to soak in and rework the musical heritage of Morocco, revamping it into original polyphonic creations, easily traveling the lands and seas and reaching the hearts of music lovers.
VDC efforts are solely dedicated to making every performance an inspirational moment of harmony and sharing that will touch the depths of your soul and lift your spirits!
The VDC journey : Most of the members have taken part in previous vocal groups or concerts led by renown directors such as Jalila Bennani (Chœur National, Chœur des Trois Cultures, Polyphonia..), Yves Parmentier et Oleg Reztkine (Chœur National), Michel Piquemal, Didier Lockwood, Nayer Nagui, Jean Claude Casadesus, Laurent Couson (chœur des Trois Cultures) and Louis Perraudin (chorale de Rabat).
Likewise, they also count in several contributions to musical projects led by Jean Michel Jarre (Water of Life, 2005), Ennio Morricone (Mawazine, 2008) or Quincy Jones & Red-One (Tomorrow/Bokra ‘ An Anthem for Peace”, 2011).
The last VDC international journey dates back to August, when the VDC members partook in the international festival “Choralies 2016”, held in Vaison-la-Romaine (France). The choir made a memorable performance in St Duenin Chapel, singing some of the most known masterpieces of the Moroccan traditional and sacred repertoire.
Beirut Vocal Point is a non-profit Close Harmony / A Cappella group on a mission to transform musical experiences in Lebanon. With a firm belief in the power of music, Beirut Vocal Point strives to share their harmonies with those who cannot always access musical events.
Founded in 2010 by Janmarie Haggar, Beirut Vocal Point has since been committed to supporting local charities and humanitarian organizations. It continues to regularly perform in hospitals, old folks’ homes, and orphanages, as well as for the public in fundraising concerts and private events.
In six years of harmonizing, Beirut Vocal Point has partnered up with several local NGO’s and raised thousands of dollars to the benefit of charities and organizations such as the AUBMC’s Brave Heart, Openminds Fund, and the HER Fund.
Whatever you age, you are welcome to join our amateur’s choir. As long as you love singing and music, you will belong.
To make your singing experience rich and memorable, our polyphonic repertoire covers a wide variety of styles, ranging from popular songs to opera.
Directed by maestro Dr. Edward Torikian, accompanied on the piano by Felicidad Barro, you will be able to enjoy the pleasure and benefits of singing in a friendly atmosphere.
The Hashimi Choir is originally a Jordanian chanting group founded in 1994; whose aim was to revive the art of Sufi Chanting as well as to present a modern and unique example to this art.
The group, since its establishment, has taken it upon itself to uphold seriousness and commitment so as to maintain a lofty level that is in accordance with the status of the art of Chanting.
The Hashimi Group is considered to be the first Jordanian chanting group to participate in the activities of Jarash Festival for Culture and Arts in 2013; and since this first participation, the Hashimi Group's event/slot remained established as one of the festival's events every year. This is due to the ample number of fans which this groups has managed to attract.
Furthermore, The Hashimi Group has been the pioneer in representing Jordan in international events, and the last of which was its special participation in the Sufi Music Festival held in the city of Satif - Algeria. Also, it participates in approximately one hundred events on an annual basis in collaboration with official organizations as well as local ones in Jordan. This takes place on various religious and national events.
As part of its ongoing endeavor to portray diversity in the art techniques it exhibits, it has founded the Hashimi Choir in 2016 as a unique trial in an attempt to present Nasheed/Chanting in the mode of Choral music. Despite the recentness of this experiment, yet the Hashimi Choir is insistent to go forth in this domain.
The A. Spendiaryan music school choir was founded in 2007. Since then, the number of the singers has grown from 25 to 80, and due to this there are 2 choirs running now. The choir’s repertoire includes various genres – from Komitas’s choral pieces to contemporary and jazz music. In April 2017 “Gregory the Illuminator” opera premiered in Armenia with the participation of the choir.
Prizes:
2012 – First Prize in “Renaissance” international annual music contest-festival in Gyumri
2014 – First Prize in “Singing Armenia” choral competition-festival
2016 – The Grand Prix in “Renaissance” international annual music contest-festival in Gyumri
2016 – First Prize in “Friendship of Nations” international music competition-festival
Conductor – Lilit Yedigaryan
Accompanist – Hasmik Tsaturyan
Saint Rafqa’s Children Choir was founded in 2010 under the direction of Sr. Marana Saad. The children choir is made up of 90 choristers whom ages vary from 6 until 15 years old. The children has demonstrated their skills in sacred and oriental music specifically Syro-Maronite sacred music which plays an essential role when celebrating the liturgy. The Children’s choir has given many recitals in Lebanon: “Milad al Farah” (Bkerke 2016),“Hommage à la Republique (USEK 2015), Mar’it miyyit Sini (Jbeil 2014), Christmas Spirit (Batrouniyyat 2013) Opéra Berlioz (France 2013) , Salatouka Maroun (Bkerki 2013), Batroun International Festival (2013), Te’la wtet3ammar (Smar Jbeil Festival 2012), Wa3di Ilak (Maad 2012), Alla Maana mnil 3ayli (Rabweh 2011), Ihkili 3an Baladi (With Army Orchestra, Jrabta 2011), Saint Daniel Jubilee (Hadath Jebbe 2010), and others concerts. They participated in concerts alongside prominent orchestras and also received several invitations to local and international festivals. The children choir has contributed to numerous recitals across Lebanon and it has also participated in Lebanese International Choir Festival (2015), “La Contrebasse Voyageuse” in Montpellier, France (2013) and in Unesco, Beyrouth (2014), as well as “the Friendship between Choirs”. Recent performance engagements include:”Kermal El Insan” Christmas Episode on MTV,December 2015. “Miladak Niyyi hiddyi” – 9 Christmas episodes on LBCI and a special episode for Christmas night, December 2014. 8th NDUIFF (International Film Festival) Opening Ceremony - A Tribute and honor to Duraid Lahham, February 2014. Rafqa’s musical theater, written and directed by Georges Khabbaz – March 2014 Sound recording for the movie “Ghadi”, written by George Khabbaz. 2013 Concerts with Magida el Roumi and Charbel Rouhana.
Fayha Choir conducted by Maestro Barkev Talakian, was established in 2003 in Tripoli and was recently established in 2016 in Beirut. Mainly, Fayha Choir is sponsored by Azm Cultural Center-Beit Al Fan which supports the choir financially and morally. This helps the choir to improve and perform at its best locally or internationally. The choir is also supported by Safadi Foundation.
The choir is composed of nearly 100 members, from all around Tripoli. The men and women of the choir pertain to different religious, social, political, and financial backgrounds. The choir’s repertoire is composed of Latin, Armenian, French, and English, as well as Arabic music from different heritages which include Lebanese, Syrian, Egyptian, Palestinian, Iraqi, Bedouin, and Andalusian. This diversity reflects the choir’s openness and reverence towards common human heritage.
Almost all Arabic songs are arranged by Edward Torikian.
The Choir’s Aims are to Develop and spread Arabic Music, and show its importance and richness as well as showing the world the real civilized image of not only Lebanon, but all Arab countries.
Fayha choir covered concerts all over Lebanon and represented Lebanon in many festival in different countries around the world like Poland Krakow, Lodz and Warsaw, Poland, Abu Dhabi, Armenia, Nagorni Gharapagh, Egypt, Tunisia (2008 & 2009), Jordan, Syria, France (Festival Nancy Voice of the World/Nancy, Institut of Arab World/Paris 2009, Polyfollia Summer Festival/Normandy 2013), Canada, China (Expo Shang Hai 2010), Qatar (2010 & 2011), Cyprus, Bahrain, Kuwait, Spain, Saudi Arabia, Sharjah, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Dubai, Greece...
So far, Fayha choir’s best achievement is winning the first two prizes at the “International Warsaw Choir Festival 2007": Best Choir and Best Conductor. The choir had previously won the second prize at that same festival in 2005.
A group of well-trained members of Fayha choir train youth choirs in the north and the south of Lebanon. Conducted by Maestro Barkev Taslakian, these choirs belong to social projects of national and international NGOs that aim to enhance the social, psychological, and educational lives of all the refugees in Lebanon.
In 2015, Fayha Choir won the "International Music Council" (IMC) Music Rights Award after being nominated by the "European Choral Association – Europa Cantat".
Also in 2016, the Choir won the “Choir of the Year” award, from Choir Fest Middle East in Dubai.
Today Fayha Choir is officially a member of the most important choral associations in the world: “International Federation for Choral Music” (IFCM) and "European Choral Associations-Europa Cantat".
Under the direction of Sr Marana Saad, Saint Rafqa’s Choir has established its reputation as one of the leading choirs in Lebanon. The choir has participated in concerts alongside prominent orchestras, received many invitations to festivals, and has also collaborated with other leading choirs. The choir provides education in the field of sacred music —specifically Maronite sacred music, Oriental and Lebanese classical music, for both choral and solo.
Since its foundation in 2010, several masses, concerts, festivals and occasions each year have allowed Saint Rafqa’s to showcase their work technically, vocally and musically. Some of the most known: Christmas concert at the presidential palace in Baabda, concerts at the Maronite Catholic Patriarchate in Bkerke and at different churches and theatres in every corner of Lebanon. The choir has participated in concerts with orchestras and has received invitations to international festivals and big celebrations and events, such as: Festival in Cyprus (September 2013), Lebanese international choir festival (May 2015), celebrations of Saint Maroun’s feast in Rome (February 2016), World Youth Day with The Pope Francis in Poland (August 2016), and Saint Anthony Maronite Catholic Church Festivities in Virginia – USA (October 2016)
Saint Rafqa’s Choir has also presented an operette with live orchestra - Rafqa’s musical theatre (March 2014). Moreover, the choir has recorded and performed many soundtracks for TV and movies, namely “Ghadi” written by Georges Khabbaz (2013). Saint Rafqa’s choir presented big events with different orchestras in concerts with prominent artists such as Magida El Roumi and with Charbel Rouhana in “Let Your Light Shine” at the Casino Du Liban . In summer 2014, Saint Rafqa’s Choir organized a festival titled “Friendship between choirs” in Lebanon, where they hosted music and choral workshops and invited leading choirs in Lebanon.
Saint Rafqa’s choir has participated in different workshops and conferences, and has recorded CD’s of sacred music and performed in TV programs as actors and choristers (Bmiladak niyyi hdiyyi – LBCI / December 2014), (Kermal el Insan – MTV / December 2015).
Saint Rafqa’s Choir’s objectives are to:
CDs and DVDs:
The Mixed Choir of the Baltic Film, Media, Arts and Communication School of Tallinn University (formerly the Mixed Choir of the Institute of Arts) was established in 2013 and formed by students from the Music Department of the Tallinn University. Over time many singers from other specialties have joined the choir. The choir has performed at various university events and provided a stepping stone for choral conducting students. Some of the significant events so far have been participation in the international choral festival ‘Korofest 2014’ in Istanbul and the XX mixed choir competition ‘Tuljak’. In April 2016 the choir won the Grand Prix at the XIV Moscow International Children and Youth Choral Competition.
Merike Aarma graduated from the Tallinn State Conservatory in 1974. Between 1973-1981 she worked as a music teacher at the Tallinn Secondary School no. 22 and has been a choral conducting teacher at the current Tallinn University since 1979.
In 1997 she established the Chamber Choir of Tallinn University and remained its long term conductor. In 2003 she received a Master’s degree in Musical Science.
Founded in 1993, Notre Dame University Choir Choir has built an expansive repertoire and presented more than 300 concerts around the world. The choir is formed of a number of professionals as well as students of the School of Music. The NDU Choir won the Gold Medal and the Audience’s First Prize - Adult Category - in the Third International Choirs Competition held in Laval, Quebec 2007.
NOTABLE APPEARANCES
International Loreto Festival (1993, 1999)
Baalbeck International Festival (2000)
Pantheon, Roma (2000)
Santa Maria Maggiore, Roma (2004)
Al-Bustan International Festival (2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2015)
Mondial Choral Loto Québec (2007)
Beirut Chants International Festival
Beiteddine International Festival (2009)
Al Arz International Festival (2015)
Carnegie Hall (2010, 2015)
Oblia in Canto (2015)
NOTABLE REPERTOIRE
Khalil Rahmeh: The Maronites and the Glory of Lebanon, Paulus
Rahbani Brothers: Socrates, The Maronite Mass
Zad Multaka: The Song Of Songs
Marcel Khalifeh: Muwaššħāt
François Eid: The Maronite Requiem
Iyad Kanaan: Fakreddīn Attānī Alkabīr
Naji Hakim: Saul of Tarsus
Joseph Haydn: Missa In Tempore Belli (Paukenmass)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Vesperæ solennes de Confessore, Te Deum Laudamus
Gioachino Rossini: Stabat Mater, Petite Messe Solenelle, Messa di Gloria
Ludwig Van Beethoven: Choral Fanthasy, Symphony N. 9, Great Mass in C
Vincenzo Bellini: Norma
Giuseppe Verdi: Messa di Requiem
Johannes Brahms: Ein Deutsches Requiem
Giacomo Puccini: Messa di Gloria
Valentino Miserachs: Beata Virgo Maria
Paco Peña: Requiem Flamenco
Nusroto is a Syriac word .It means chants of joy.
- In 1998 Fr. Marwan Ghanem established Nusroto Choir (for youth) in Monastery of Tamish-Maten, in 1999 in Zahle-Bekaa. (30 Choristers)
- In 2003 Fr. Ghanem authorizes Mrs. Rima Saade Turk- Soprano Soloist in Nusroto choir to establish N. Choir for juniors (50 Choristers).
Nusroto Choir celebrated many concerts on Christmas time at almost all churches of Bekaa Country of different doctrines.
Nusroto Choir has achieved many activities led by Fr.M. Ghanem including:
Religious concerts, the most we can talk about:
- Christmas concerts since 1999 till present
- Saint Maroun Feast concerts at the Maronite diocese -Ksara-Zahleh
- Saint Charbel Feast concerts at Annaya and Zahleh
- Saint Joseph Feast concerts at Saint Joseph Church USJ (Saint Joseph University Achrafieh)
- The rank of the ordination of bishops in Tyr and ordination of priests in Bekaa
- Celebrating wedding ceremonies at different Lebanese countries in Beirut and Zahleh
- Participation in the inauguration of churches at South of Lebanon-Al- Haje
- Concerts at North of Lebanon-Zgharta
Musical celebrations:
- At the Ministry of Culture Theater in Damascus -Syria (2009)
- During Karma Festivals at Zahleh (2007-2008-2009)
- With the Fersan Al Arbaa at Karma Festivals 2016
Nusroto Choir honors:
- Nusroto Choir honored Mrs. Majida Al Roumi during a huge concert at August 2003 at Saint Charbel Monastery-Zahleh
- Nusroto Choir honored Father Dr. Youssef Al Khoury during a concert for varied voices at September 2005 in Zahle
- Nusroto choir honored the International Designer Abed Mahfouz in a private party in Zahle
Mrs. Hala Al Murr presents all the musical and religious concerts of Nusroto Choir.
The International Designer Abed Mahfouz designs and implements uniforms for the Nusroto Choir.
Lara Jokhadar Al-Aro is a Lebanese/Canadian soprano, lyric and crossover singer and previously
chemistry and math teacher as well as a life skills trainer.
Education and training
− Baccalaureate Diploma in Classical singing [September 2009 – February 2015]: The Lebanese
National Higher Conservatory of Music
− Mater class with Madame Montserrat Caballé [Sept 2013]: Spain – Zaragoza
− Master 1 degree (teaching diploma) in Chemistry [2002 – 2006]: Lebanese University – Faculty
of Science – Department of Chemistry
− Master classes in opera singing [2014 - 2015]: with maestra Elizabeth Norberg-Schulz in Beirut
− Master classes in opera singing [Sept 2012 – Sept 2013]: with maestra Michaela Migheras in
Beirut
− Master class in opera singing [July 2012]: with maestro Simone Alaimo and Maestra Vittoria
Mazzoni in Accademia Lirica – Palermo – Italy
− Master class in opera singing [May 2012]: with maestro Simone Alaimo in Beirut
− Internship in drug prevention programs for youth [August 2010 – March 2011]: in both Oum El
Nour and Skoun associations for rehabilitation and drug prevention, Lebanon
− Scholar Inclusion for Children with Special Needs [ November 2008 – June 2010]:
Saint Joseph University, Beirut
− Broadway intensive program classes [August 2010]: by YES academy – American Voices
Association
Experience in Music and Singing
− Starred in the role of Abla in the first Arabic Opera Antar w Abla [July 2016]: World premiere
at Casino Du Liban Theater – Lebanon, composed by Maestro Maroun Al-Rahi, then at Bahrain
National Theater, Manama, February 2017.
− Special guest performer at “Clair de Nuit” festival in Alsace, France
[July 2016 – August 2016]: under the title “Quand Beyrouth chante en francais” (When Beirut sings
in French)
− Developer and innovator of the Arabic Lyric Singing Method (Arabic Opera) Based on
Occidental Classical methods and Arabic Opera Singing basis set by the late Mrs Yolla Nassif
− Voice teacher at Music Group Academy (Classical and Contemporary)
− Sung roles and arias from:
- Carmen, Georges Bizet, Micaela
- Cosi fan tutte, W.A. Mozart, Fiordiligi
- Le Nozze Di Figaro, W.A. Mozart, Countess Almaviva
- Don Giovanni, W.A. Mozart, Donna Anna
- I Capuleti e i Montecchi, Bellini, Giulietta
- Romeo et Juliette, Charles Gounod, Juliette
- Turandot, Giacomo Puccini, Liu
- La boheme, Giacomo Puccini, Mimi and Musetta
- Gianni Schicchi, Giacomo Puccini, Lauretta
- Tosca, Puccini, Floria Tosca
- La Wally, Catalany
- Cavalleria Rusticana, Pietro Mascagni, Lola
− Professional performer in seven different languages: in many events and conventions in
Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates
− Sang the oldest Hurrian song h6 as part of a mutual project of ICONEA and the Lebanese
National Museum with professor Richard Dumbrill of the University of London and the British
Museum
− Earned the Silver Medal in Lebanese Classical singing [January 2010 – February 2010]: Studio
El Fan talent show
President of POLYFOLLIA INTERNATIONAL, co-organizer of the LICF II
Nowadays, choral singing is always one of the stronger social and artistic tools to share common vibrations and gather people around a powerful emotional experience. But it is also for a group, a religion, a nation a powerful mean used to express the sound identity of its culture - for better or for worse.
In today’s world where more and more people define their identity by rejecting the culture of the “others”, where the gap between Western and Near-Eastern cultures is widening both sides because of irresponsible leaders or of mad terrorists, the LICF II and the MCF 6 are a perfect framework for learning from each other vibrations, for building new bridges and for implementing, both sides, new choral initiatives…
Rezonans, artistic director & conductor
State Choir Turkey, guest & assistant conductor
Choral Culture Association, chair
European Choral Association - Europa Cantat, board member
Istanbul Technical University Center for Advanced Studies in Music (MIAM), research assistant & PhD candidate
Bahçeşehir University Choral Conducting Certificate Programme, coordinator
Summart, arts advisor
Burak Onur Erdem (*1986)
Burak Onur Erdem studied in ITU Center for Advanced Studies in Music, where he still pursues his PhD degree. Prior to his studies in music theory & conducting, he finished Bogazici University with the Rector’s Prize and studied Political Science & International Relations.
He refined his choral conducting skills through international masterclasses by working actively with Anders Eby, Volker Hempfling, Johannes Prinz, Denes Szabo, Michael Gohl, and also by participating in numerous courses.
He initiated one of the prominent choral festivals of Turkey in 2009 and founded the Choral Culture Association in 2012 to create innovative projects for Turkish choral music scene. He has been elected to the Board of the European Choral Association for 2015-2018 period.
As a training certificate program for choral conductors, he formed the Choral School in 2014 under Bahcesehir University and is still the coordinator of the program. He gave numerous workshops on choral music, primarily in the Ayvalık International Music Academy. He assisted Michael Gohl for Open Singing in Europa Cantat Festival 2015.
He performed with world renowned musicians like Nigel Short, Brady Allred, Jo-Michael Scheibe, Simon Carrington and Eric Whitacre with his ensemble Rezonans. The choir also brought Second Prize from Cork International Fleischmann Trophy, one of the most prestigious choral competitions of the world. He conducted Istanbul European Choir from 2013 to 2016, one of Turkey’s oldest symphonic choirs. He works regularly with the State Choir Turkey as assistant & guest conductor.
* Born in ‘Anjar (Lebanon) 1964, he was turned to music since his early boyhood, playing on different musical instruments, without any previous musical education.
* Early 1980’s, realizing the urge to be musically educated, and not having the means for it, he tried to be self-educated with notes and different aspects of music.
* 1986 he started conducting the “Ardzivian” choir, and there-on his musical journey began.
* 1992 till 1998 he studied and practiced conducting with conductor Maestro Harutyun Topikyan and composer Professor Yervant Yerkanian. They both taught him at Parsegh Kanatchian musical academy in Beirut.
* Since 1997 he attends yearly courses in Armenia with different musicians and conductors.
* As of now, he conducted:
* Currently he conducts:
* He conducted the above-mentioned groups in: Lebanon, Armenia (2001, 2004 and 2008), Turkey, Syria (1989 and 2010), Jordan (2003 and 2008), Cyprus (2002 and 2003), Nagorny Karabakh (2004 and 2008), Poland (2005 and 2007), Tunisia (2008 and 2009), Emirates (2008 and 2011), Egypt, France, Canada, China (Expo Shang Hai 2010), Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Sweden, KSA, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Dubai, Greece...
* He is also the commander of several music groups for children and young people in the north and south of Lebanon, in Bekaa and in Beirut within the socio-cultural projects in cooperation with local and international organizations concerned with social, educational and psychological life of the children , refugees and immigrants...
* He has won many awards of appreciation from:
* With these groups above, he won:
Also in 2016, the Choir won the “Choir of the Year” award, from Choir Fest Middle East in Dubai.
He assisted in many international musical conferences and workshops and currently member of:
- Syndicate of Professional Artists in Lebanon.
The “Sing Me In” project aims at providing children and youth choir conductors and music teachers with pedagogical approaches and tools that allow collective singing activities to play a positive role in the integration process of young people with migration background in European societies.
A number of choral organisations expressed their need for structured tools to address the issues at hand: they share the same challenges and are only partially aware of the solutions developed in the other European countries. Yet, most organisations do not have the resources to research and develop solutions at the national level, and it would likely lead to duplicating the effort in each country. As a European network with a long-standing experience in cooperation projects, we decided to address these needs at the European level, to ensure that the whole sector and as many young targets as possible can benefit from it in Europe.
The project gathers 11 musical organisations involved in youth work in 10 countries including Turkey and Lebanon. They will join forces and use their extensive networks to collect good practices related to the use of collective singing in the process of inclusion of young migrants in their respective professional and geographical areas.
The project will evaluate the existing experience to extract best practices, and use this basis to collectively develop innovative pedagogical contents. It will also gather examples of challenges encountered in projects aiming at the inclusion of young migrants, collecting “tips and tricks” and pitfalls to be avoided, and produce deliverables translated and disseminated in 11 languages.
- Born in 1952, Dr. Edward Torikian is a Lebanese citizen of Armenian origin.
- He received preliminary musical knowledge in the convent of Bzommar (Lebanon) with P. Leonce Der-Minassian learning to play the harmonium. Since that time he continued to develop his personal knowledge. In 1976, during the civil war in Lebanon, he directed choirs in Aleppo and Damascus with his own arrangements and orchestrations.
- In 1985, he won the Masters in Musicology at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik learning academically composition materials with Father Joseph Waked. Immediately, he began to teach these subjects in the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik where he was responsible for the post of Head of Section of theoretical musical subjects.
- In 1988, he attended intensive courses at the National Conservatory of Yerevan Komitas, specializing in composition and choral conducting with Arthur Véranian.
- In 2004, he earned a Doctorate in musicology, sacred music option, in the University of Kaslik, with great distinction.
- His marriage to Laura Antossian in 2005 was a great source of moral inspiration to him,as well as a great support in managing his work affairs.
- S. College Vartan (Aleppo, 1975-1976)
- St. Gregory College, Mesrobian, St. Agnes, Tekeyan (Beirut, 1980-1995)
- Y. Manookian College (1996-2010)
- College of Music P. Ganatchian (1986-1988)
- Direction of the School of Music USEK-Tekeyan (1992-1997)
- Directorate Music Centre P. L. Der-Minassian, Ste-Croix Zalka (1997-2011)
- USEK (since 1986 to present).
- Choirs Komitas, Nayiri and L. Nadjarian (Aleppo and Damascus, 1976-1978)
- Chorale Cilicia (Beirut Jetawi, 1980-2008)
- Chorale AGBU-Tekeyan (Beirut, 1989)
- Chorale Groong (1992 to present).
- Choir Al-Bustan Festival (2012 to present).
- Publication of three musical works: Bzommar Hymnal (2007), Collection of the Armenian Church Mass Songs (2008), Spiritual Songs (2008).
- Syriac songs orchestration for the orchestra of Damascus (2006), two religious oratorios played by the Symphony Orchestra of Sophia Bulgaria (2011), Christmas Oratorio (Wadia Sabra, USEK 202), Nouqaddem lakom Watan (Musical Theatre Lebanon, 2012).
- One hundred Arab and Armenian songs performed by various artists and choirs in Lebanon (Jahida Wehbe , Abir Nehme, Tania Saleh, Raymond Ghattas, and others)
- Two Catalan songs for youth choirs of Barcelona (2010).
- Blessing of the Pope John Paul II (1996)
- Blessing of the Pope Benedictus XVI (2006)
- Blessing of His Beatitude Kasparian (1997)
- Blessing of His Beatitude Nerses Bedros XIX-(2008)
- Congratulations from the President of the Republic. Lebanese Herawi Elias (1995)
- Distinction of the Lebanese Ministry of Culture (2002)
- Distinction of the Municipality of Tripoli (2005)
- Awards granted by the Tekeyan Cultural Association (1994)
- Awards granted by the Komitas Choir of Anjar (2004)
- Awards granted by the parish of St-Elie Beirut (2009)
- Honors awarded by the College Ste Croix Zalka (2013)
- The strong collaboration between the Fayha Choir’s conductor, Maestro Barkev Taslakian and Dr. Edward Torikian dates from the beginning of the Choir’s foundation and even before.
- At the beginning, E. Torikian provides its Arabic former arrangements to Fayha Choir (El-Helwa Deeh, Al-Hurriyya, Telhet Ya Mahla Norhe, etc ...). Thereafter he composed and arranged for them hundred of songs, marches and jingles for concerts and recordings. Fayha Choir performed Dr. Torikian’s works so well that they were sounded by various choirs in the world like Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, France, USA, England, and Turkey...
Sister Marana Saad, OLM, is a nun of the Lebanese Maronite Order. She is the Founder, President and Music Instructor at Saint Rafqa’s Institute of Music, a Theology professor at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik and a member of the Maronite Patriarchal Committee for Liturgy (Music committee).
She has a PhD in monastic theology from St. Anselm’s University - Rome, and a PhD in sacred music from the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik - Lebanon.
She studied choral conducting under Maestro Walter Marzilli, at the Institute of Sacred Music in Rome. In 2010, she founded Saint Rafqa’s Choir (youth and children), where she now teaches and conducts it.
Under the direction of Sr Marana Saad, Saint Rafqa’s Choir has established its reputation as one of the leading choirs in Lebanon. She directed several liturgical and musical celebrations: masses and concerts celebrated at the presidential palace in Baabda, at the Maronite Catholic Patriarchate in Bkerke, and at different churches and theatres all over Lebanon . In addition to the participation in 25th Physicians Annual Symposium (Al Bustan Hotel 2016) and in the Beirut Energy Forum (Biel 2016). Sister Marana and the choir have participated in concerts where she directed prominent orchestras and other leading choirs, and has received many invitations to festivals. She directed the children’s choir during their participation in “La Contrebasse Voyageuse” in Opera Montpellier, France (June 2013), as well as the “Friendship between choirs” Festival in Cyprus (September 2013), the celebrations to Saint Maroun feast in Rome (February 2016), the World Youth Day in Krakow – Poland (July 2016), and Saint Anthony Maronite Catholic Church Festivities in Virginia – USA (October 2016) . She conducted the orchestra and choir at Rafqa’s musical theatre (Operette), as well as the choir in their recording of many soundtracks for tv and movies, such as “Ghadi” written by Georges Khabbaz. She also conducted Saint Rafqa’s choir and different orchestras in concerts with prominent artists such as Magida El Roumi (Christmas Concerts in The Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal - Ashrafieh), Charbel Rouhana (Batroun International Festival and in the event “Let your light shine” at the Casino du Liban) and Alexandra Gravas (“Let your light shine at Casino du Liban). In summer 2014, she organized a “Friendship between choirs” festival in Lebanon where she hosted music and choral workshops and invited leading choirs in Lebanon. She also directed five different choirs during the festival. She has participated in the last International Cedars Festival with Magida Roumi and with Saint Rafqa’s Choir (Youth and Children) (August 2016).
She has participated in different conferences and workshops, and has published several articles about sacred music. She directed TV programs as administrator, writer and director (Bmiladak niyyi hdiyyi – LBCI / December 2014), (Kermal el Insan – MTV / December 2015) and she is also the author of several theological and musical texts, and has composed and directed several religious chants and albums such as Alliance of Love and prayer (2007), The Mass according to the rite of the Syro-Maronite Antioche church (2008), Miladyat: Christmas chants (2008), Fawh Al Qadassa (2010), Mother, Mirror of the Sky (2011), and Rafqa Musical Theatre CD (2014), Ya bayyi – father day CD (2015), Easter card & Song (2016), 31st WYD (2016).
Conductor, performer of duduk & Shvi (Folk wind instruments).
Born Anjar, Lebanon, Maestro Zakar Keshishian got his training in Folk Instruments and Choir Conducting at the Komtas State Conservatory in Yerevan, Armenia. He completed his post-graduate studies with distinction, also in Yerevan, in 1996.
Keshishian has founded and conducted a number of choirs both in Lebanon and Armenia. A born pedagogue, he is beloved by the young singers of his children’s choirs and much respected by the members of the adult mixed choirs he has led. A firm believer in the magical properties of music in general and choir music in particular, Keshishian has guided many students both in war-torn Lebanon and in Armenia to the world of beauty and the art. Many of the members of his choirs, as well as many of his theory and wind instrument students at the National Conservatory of Lebanon or at the Armenian Ganatchian Music School (Lebanon) have embraced professional musicians’ careers.
He is the founder of several choirs: the Gakavig choir of the Hamazkayin Educational and Cultural Society (1988); Dziadzan (1992); Varanda (1992) in the town of Shushi, Mountainous Karabakh (Artsakh); the Gargatch choir (1997) and the Ayc Armenian Youth Choir (2008), the latter two under the auspices of the Hamazkayin Educational and Cultural Society.
The “Sing Me In” project aims at providing children and youth choir conductors and music teachers with pedagogical approaches and tools that allow collective singing activities to play a positive role in the integration process of young people with migration background in European societies.
A number of choral organisations expressed their need for structured tools to address the issues at hand: they share the same challenges and are only partially aware of the solutions developed in the other European countries. Yet, most organisations do not have the resources to research and develop solutions at the national level, and it would likely lead to duplicating the effort in each country. As a European network with a long-standing experience in cooperation projects, we decided to address these needs at the European level, to ensure that the whole sector and as many young targets as possible can benefit from it in Europe.
The project gathers 11 musical organisations involved in youth work in 10 countries including Turkey and Lebanon. They will join forces and use their extensive networks to collect good practices related to the use of collective singing in the process of inclusion of young migrants in their respective professional and geographical areas.
The project will evaluate the existing experience to extract best practices, and use this basis to collectively develop innovative pedagogical contents. It will also gather examples of challenges encountered in projects aiming at the inclusion of young migrants, collecting “tips and tricks” and pitfalls to be avoided, and produce deliverables translated and disseminated in 11 languages.
Refugies Choir Concert
The world will be able to see the hard work and passion of the talented Syrian and Palestinian refugee children’s choirs of different NGOs including the Norwegian Refugee Council, Sonbola, Beit Atfal Assumoud, and Social Support Society.
This year’s forum is a unique occasion for over 50 international choral specialists and music experts to learn about oriental choral music, discover the Lebanese choral scene and its musical characteristics, practices, repertoire, organizations, and so on. It is also an opportunity for the Lebanese to develop new ways to collaborate and share their own musical vibrations with international and local musical experts and colleagues.
20:00 - 23:00
GALA Concert
Sponsors
Municipality of Tripoli
Al Fayhaa Urban Community
Chamber of Commerce Industry & Agriculture
Safadi Cultural Center
Ministry of Culture
Dar al Kamar
Rachid Karami International Fair
Tyre Municipality
https://www.facebook.com/Tyre-municipality-542137815903385/?ref=page_internal
SAT-7
Issa Transportation
Embassy of Finland, Beirut
Municipality of Zahle
https://www.facebook.com/Municipality-of-zahle-716656538365407
Embassy of Switzerland in Lebanon
Partners
NDU Choir
Aboul Hosn
AZM School
Agenda Culturel
Adyan
Maarouf Saad Cultural Center
European Choral Association - Europa Cantat (ECA-EC)
International Federation for Choral Music
Makassed Philanthropic Islamic Association of Beirut
Mediterranean Office for Choral Singing