SamirCanada - 3-26-2006 at 04:01 PM
I received a email concerning the arabic music retreat this summer. It said the information on simon shaheen's site should be up soon. Iam going to
try to save up and make it down for the first time this summer. It might be rather early to speak about the retreat now but Iam planing it as of
today.
I would like to know if anyone here thinks they'll make it down aswell.
Also it said last year that you needed to send a demo cd of your recordings. Is it a tough selection process or is it just to evaluate your level of
play so they can set you up with students of the same level?
And is there anyone close to the "sources" of information that could be able to inform us of the instructors for oud that will be there.
Also if you have pictures of the pass retreat and you dont mind sharing them. Please do so. I would love to get a general feel of the atmosphere
etc...
Regards
Samir
Brian Prunka - 3-26-2006 at 08:44 PM
Hey Samir,
I highly recommend the retreat; you'll be glad you went, I'm sure.
re: demo, it doesn't have to be anything fancy. They just want to hear you play a little bit to get an idea which ensembles to place you in. They
have a great philosophy of making sure that each ensemble has a good mixture of beginning, intermediate, and advanced players (rather than putting all
the beginners in one group, and all the advanced players in another). Try to play a samai or other composition if you want to impress them . . .
Most of the faculty is the same from year to year. Simon and Jihad Racy will certainly be there. I believe Charbel Rouhana will teach this year
again (I'll see if I can find out for certain). Najib and William Shaheen will also probably be teaching oud.
If you are really hard up for money, try applying for financial aid. They give scholarships up to about half the cost.
Apply as early as you can, and you shouldn't have any problem getting in. They limit the attendance to about 75.
I'll see if I can find any old pictures.
Retreat Photos
Brian Prunka - 3-27-2006 at 09:08 AM
Bassam Saba
Retreat Photos
Brian Prunka - 3-27-2006 at 09:09 AM
Simon & Youssef Kassab
Retreat Photos
Brian Prunka - 3-27-2006 at 09:10 AM
Orchestra Rehearsal
Retreat Photos
Brian Prunka - 3-27-2006 at 09:11 AM
Charbel & Jihad
Retreat Photos
Brian Prunka - 3-27-2006 at 09:12 AM
Instructors' Ensemble
Retreat Photos
Brian Prunka - 3-27-2006 at 09:14 AM
group photo
SamirCanada - 3-27-2006 at 10:33 AM
Neat!! thanks Brian
Orahim1 - 3-27-2006 at 05:46 PM
Anyone planning on heading to the retreat on the west coast in August? Anyone ever gone before, and is it worth it?