Edward Said National Conservatory of Music facts for kids
The Edward Said National Conservatory of Music (which is Arabic for Ma`had Edward Sa`īd al-Waṭaniy lil-Musīqā) is a special music school in Palestine. It has branches in different cities like Ramallah, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nablus, and Gaza City. More than 1,000 students learn music here! The school started in 1993. Back then, it was just called The National Conservatory of Music. Its first branch opened in Ramallah in October 1993.
In September 2004, the school's name changed. It was renamed to honor Edward Said. He was a famous Palestinian music expert and thinker. Edward Said was also a great classical pianist and a scholar. He helped start and support music that brought people from the East and West together. You might know about the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra and the Barenboim-Said Akademie, which he also helped create.
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Music Groups and Orchestras
The Edward Said National Conservatory of Music (ESNCM) manages several music groups. These include the Palestine Youth Orchestra and the Palestine National Orchestra. They also run many smaller music projects.
A group called Palestine Strings played with the famous musician Nigel Kennedy in 2012. They also toured the United States in 2011. The youth orchestra (PYO) has performed in many places. These include Palestine, Italy, Jordan, Greece, Bahrain, Germany, Syria, and Lebanon. Other international music schools, like the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, support them.
The ESNCM's professional orchestra, the PNO, started in December 2010. It has played in Palestine, Jordan, and Indonesia. Both orchestras aim to share music by Arab composers who are alive today. The ESNCM Orchestra is the only Palestinian symphony orchestra. All its musicians come from local communities. It holds concerts all year in Palestinian towns and cities. They play many types of music. This includes Western classical music, opera, and Arabic music. They also play film music.
The ESNCM has several Arabic music groups. These groups include both students and professionals. They have toured all over the world. Students have also worked with well-known international musicians.
Fun Festivals and Concerts
Besides managing two big festivals, the ESNCM puts on many concerts. These concerts feature Arabic, Western classical, and jazz music. They happen all over Palestine throughout the year. The conservatory is in charge of two yearly festivals. One is the Arabic music festival called Layali Tarab fi Quds al Arab. The other is the mainly classical Jasmine Festival.
How It All Started
In 1990, five Palestinian musicians and teachers studied music in Palestine. They did this because the Welfare Association asked them to. Their first findings showed a big need for a music school. There was a huge gap in music education in Palestinian society.
So, for three years, these musicians worked very hard. They got help from friends like Edward Karkar and Munther Nabulsi. Huda Khoury and Linda Khalil Khoury also supported them. In 1993, the school opened as the National Conservatory of Music. It was part of Birzeit University. The university gave the conservatory space in its building in Ramallah. They also appointed the founders to the school's board. These founders were Salwa Tabri, Rima Tarazi, Amin Nasser, Nadia Abboushi, and Suhail Khoury.
In October 1993, the first branch opened in Ramallah. It had 40 students and three part-time teachers. There was also a secretary and a volunteer director, Amin Nasser. A few years later, the school opened branches in Jerusalem and Bethlehem. In the summer of 2010, the Nablus branch opened. In September 2004, the school changed its name. It became The Edward Said National Conservatory of Music. This was to honor Edward Said, who was an honorary member of the board.
Where You Can Find It
The ESNCM has five branches. They are in Jerusalem, Ramallah, Bethlehem, Nablus, and Gaza City. The Gaza City branch opened in 2012. More than 1,000 students attend these branches.
Each branch has its own head teacher and manager. They handle the daily activities of their school. This setup allows for new branches to open in the future. It also makes sure that all students get the same good education. This is true no matter which city the ESNCM has a branch in.
What You Can Learn There
The ESNCM offers two main ways to study music. These are the regular program and the amateur program.
The Regular Program is designed for students who want a full music education. It teaches them about instruments and music theory. This program has three levels:
- The Preparatory level. This level is not required for everyone.
- The Elementary level.
- The Intermediate level.
After finishing all three levels, students can get a special certificate. This certificate will help them if they want to study music at a university level at the ESNCM. This university program is not open yet. It will train students to become professional musicians.
The Regular Music Program
This program teaches you to play a Western or Arabic instrument. You will have exams for 8 grades. Each grade can be finished in up to 20 months. The program also includes music theory and ear training. You will learn about the history of Arabic, classical, jazz, and world music. The program also focuses on playing in groups and singing in choirs. You will also learn group Arabic percussion.
Music for Fun (Amateur Program)
If you just love music and want to learn for fun, you can take private lessons. You don't have to follow the usual rules or take exams. Sometimes, amateur students can join other group classes. This needs the teacher's approval. The student also needs to be at a level where they can learn from the class. Students in the amateur program do not get official recognition or certificates for the classes they attend.
Want to Learn More?
In Spanish: Conservatorio Nacional de Música Edward Said para niños
