Arabic Instrumental & Singing Ensemble with Rachid

Arabic Instrumental & Singing Ensemble with Rachid
Saturday May 1, 2010 1pm-3pm

(If there is enough demand we can switch into two class, one class Instrumentals, one class Singing)

We're getting close.... email us if you are interested in the 2nd class option

Rachid is a welcoming, fun instructor who is happy to share his knowledge with anyone wishing to learn.  In this class, learn an Arabic song, including “maqams” and “taqsims” (these are Arabic music scales and improvisations within the scales).  Bring your instrument of choice and a notebook or audio recorder.  Many western instruments have also been beautifully integrated into Middle Eastern repertoire, so inquire within if you are unsure of your instrument’s compatibility. 
Voice students will learn lyrics, pronunciation and meaning.  Songs learned by voice can be applied directly to instrumental music, so bring a recorder so you can practice the song on your instruments later.  Workshop includes handouts.
Drummers are also welcome in this class.  After all, the percussion section is an important part of a musical ensemble.  This is a great opportunity to practice accompanying instrumentalists and vocalists with your drumming. 
Beginners and seasoned performers alike will benefit from this class as an intro (or refresher) to the feel and character of Middle Eastern music.  Advanced musicians will have the opportunity to pick the brain of an accomplished performer in an up-close, casual setting.  Bring your questions!

Rachid Haliha's Bio

As a world-class musician, Rachid Halihal brings to the community the true character and spirit of musical styles from the classical Egyptian repertoire, from the Fertile Crescent, from diverse regions of Morocco and North Africa, and also the mesmerizing music of the Arabian Gulf. As a child growing up in Fez, Morocco, Rachid sang and played the ney, studying the famous singers of the time. At age fourteen he entered "Dar Aadyil," the Conservatory of Music in Fez. Initially he studied Western classical and Andalusian music on piano and violin, and then expanded to include a variety of other instruments in order to better express his native music. In addition to his voice, which is best featured in the Andalusian style, his strongest instruments are the oud (similar to a lute without frets) and the violin, which he plays in both the classical manner and upright resting on the knee for Moroccan folkloric music.

In summer 2004 Rachid toured the USA with The Chicago Classical Oriental Ensemble, playing Moroccan Andalusian music with Abdelfattah Bennis, including Genesis at the Crossroads festival in Chicago. He has been presented at Columbia University in concert with visiting Israeli singer Michel Cohen, with Moroccan singer Pinhas in New York and Miami, as well as other ethnic concerts and events throughout New York City. Rachid has performed with his band at Denver's Global Groove World Music Festival, with Nawang Kechong in Aspen, and has toured the USA and Canada with Rachid Taha, an Algerian/French Rai-rock band.  Rachid also played at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art for the inaugural King Tut exhibit in the US on June 15, 05 Recently he has performed throughout the country with Souhail Kaspar and has been teaching on the faculty at Mendocino Middle Eastern Music and Dance Camp.

 Styles of music which Rachid plays:
Andalus Moroccan music
Moroccan Gnawa
Moroccan Sha'abi
Jahjouka music of Northern Morocco (see photo in costumes)

Egyptian Classical
Egyptian Sha'abi
Lebanese (dabkas)
Khaleeji (including Yemeni)
Other Middle Eastern and North African music

"The music which Rachid Halihal presents is soulful and poetic as well as very danceable to the point that not an empty spot can be found on the dance floor wherever he plays."