By Kamila Kaminska-Palarczyk | Writing Assistant and Media Associate
Music is in the air as the third grade students in the Al Aqaba Village strum the strings to their violins! The Edward Said National Conservatory of Music sends not one but two Music teachers to Al Aqaba each week. Violin and Viola teacher, Muhammad Fadel, enthusiastically counts, conducts, and cajoles the students’ emerging music and encourages their proper playing technique.
The most accurate term describing the atmosphere within the classroom could only be “endless excitement.”
Our very own Donna Baranski-Walker had the pleasure of visiting the classrooms in December, when this project was just getting on its feet. Donna recalls the happiness of the children as they rushed into the Mayor’s office to pick-up their instruments. As they were awaiting the arrival of the children, the cello teacher, Daniele Spada, began playing classical music and Mayor Haj Sami’s ordinary office became a portal to another world.
“It brought back memories of Lina and the concert she organized to first raise funds for this project,” recounted Donna. “With over 20 professional and student performers, Lina helped me understand what Peace sounds like… and here was that sound once again.”
The vision of the head music teacher is similar. Muhammad Fadel has been teaching music for the past 21 years. His dream is for all of his 140 students in and out of Palestine to play in one big unifying concert.
He believes, “Music will unite the people.”
And with that, we are proud to announce that the students of the Al Aqaba village have been invited to join fellow students to perform at two universities, Birzeit and An-Najah. The students are so excited! Mayor Haj Sami says that for many, it will be their first visit to a big city or to a university. They will embark on their journey the 23rd of April early in the morning for an intensive rehearsal following by the much anticipated Unity Concerts at each location. With your help of just $20 we will be able to fund for one student’s tour including food and lodging for the duration of their trip. What’s even more exciting, if donations are made on March 16th, GlobalGiving will match all donations up to $1000 by 50%! So mark your calendars and help send all 41 students from Al Aqaba.
Thank you again for all of your help and support. Al Aqaba is building a strong and peaceful community, and you are a part of that, spreading love and unity through music.
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