Musicians from the Basra Orchestra during a violin training session with members of the Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra. (Photo by 964media)
Basra Orchestra partners with Iraqi National Symphony for training and joint concerts
BASRA — After the first live-broadcast concert of Basra’s emerging orchestra, a decade in the making under local music teachers, members of the Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra have begun visiting the city to collaborate with young musicians. The two orchestras have reached a preliminary understanding to launch joint training programs and shared performances in Iraq and abroad, expanding cooperation with other ensembles such as the Sulaymaniyah Symphony and the Nineveh Plains Orchestra.
Dr. Qais Ouda, director of the Basra Orchestra, told 964media, “We in the Basra Orchestra have started working to break barriers between the capital and the governorates. We seek the true value in art and how to achieve success on the musical level.”
He said the recent workshop was organized “in cooperation between the National Symphony, Maestro Center, and the Basra Orchestra, with the goal of presenting something worthy of Iraq’s rich musical history and the cultural legacy of the city of Basra.”
Adnan Nizar, a violinist with the Iraqi National Symphony, said, “I am very happy to visit Basra and meet the Basra Orchestra, Dr. Qais, his staff, and his students. I noticed a remarkable level among the students, and we offered lessons and guidance on techniques, exercises, and mastery of bow control. We will share our experience with them.”
An agreement was reached between the Basra Orchestra and the Iraqi National Symphony to hold concerts in both Baghdad and Basra, with students from both sides participating in joint training programs to exchange experience and improve their performance.
Fadia Khalil, a viola player with the Iraqi National Symphony, said, “We are lucky to be in Basra among its people and musicians. After performing in a concert here, it was our duty to visit the orchestra to see the young musicians’ level and what support they need. I strongly encourage this musical culture, and I know these young people were once part of the ‘Children’s Orchestra,’ and now they form the ‘Basra Orchestra.’”
Jwan Marwan, a flute player with the Basra Orchestra, said, “The collaboration was wonderful. I felt the trainer was not a stranger but someone who had been teaching us for a long time. It was a beautiful and valuable experience, and our ambition is to keep learning and developing our skills.”
Abdullah Adel, a violinist with the Basra Orchestra, said, “We were in great need of this expertise. Even though I’ve been training for ten years, today I felt as if I were starting anew. It was an exceptional experience, and we learned from professional musicians and discovered details and techniques I never encountered early in my training.”