Sunday, April 24 01pm to 03pm
Queens Museum
New York City Building, Flushing Meadows, Corona Park, Queens, NY 11368

The musical traditions of Syria and Egypt represent one of the pinnacles of culture from the Arab World. Students will learn through participation as well as listening. The class will survey some of the great musicians of the last century, styles and musical genres, as well as offering some cultural and historical context. Participants will learn to sing both folk and classical songs, as well as get a taste of improvisation. Students of any level and musical ability are welcome, as Sami guides students in an easy-to-follow call-and-response format. The rich melodic tradition known as maqam (an amazingly complex system of scales and melodic phrases analogous to the Indian Raga system) will be made accessible, and participants will learn to distinguish the different moods that the music evokes.

Free admission! http://www.queensmuseum.org