Abu Dhabi Week meets the music-makers with a mission
Abu Dhabi’s diverse population has contributed to the growing music scene here; from local rock bands and singing duos from the grassroots to professional musicians – the capital is truly expanding its repertoire.
One such organisation, the NSO Symphony Orchestra (NSO), is aimed at providing an outlet for all types of orchestral musicians. Up to 100 local musicians throughout the UAE who are all highly trained, and many professionally qualified, but who participate in the orchestra in their spare time, make up the ranks for this innovative initiative.
“The language of music requires no translation and has the power to bring people closer together. The NSO aspires through its performances, to help make Abu Dhabi and the UAE a place where every culture, every nation, every tradition can meet through the universal language of the arts,” says Janet Hassouneh, Founder-Executive Director, NSO.
Originally started in 2011, the second season aims to provide concerts and performances that will “engage, enrich and inspire” both residents and performers.
Keen to also promote and ensure the future of classical music here in the UAE, the NSO provides a variety of initiatives to get the youth involved and interested. “If you ask people about their perception of classical music, it’s often in the form of a nerdy person. Which is only partly true,” jokes NSO musical director and conductor Andrew Berryman.
Part animator and part conductor, Berryman has been instrumental in using innovative methods to dispel that myth and get children involved. The NSO has hosted a variety of themed concerts such as ‘Night at the Movies’ which featured popular film scores or collaborated with Video Games Live, which plays orchestral music featured in video games, to highlight to kids that symphonic music is everywhere.
Covering all the genres of music – from film scores, pop and rock to classical symphonic music – the NSO is aimed at both educating and exciting residents.
“Berryman has a formula in creating a concert programme that is so out-of-the box, it is so unstuffy. He puts something in there for everyone because he knows that is what works. Our last concert featured a Verdi Opera overture, Super Mario Brothers and he ended the concert with a piece from the rock band Queen,” adds Hassouneh.
“If we want an audience in the future, we are going to have to educate from the beginning. We need to get kids involved and introduce things in an interesting way.
“From a kid’s perspective, when they see a live orchestra and experience that music that they are always used to hearing there’s an ‘Aha’ moment – that’s where the music comes from,” adds Berryman.
Eager to host more events that nurture the impressive talent already here, both from expats and locals, NSO is looking for funding and sponsors to keep their dream alive. Operating as a not-for-profit orchestra, musicians in the NSO all have day jobs and play in their off hours. “This is the only way the orchestra will work until we can get government support,” said Hassouneh. Despite this, the NSO has been dubbed ‘an orchestra of excellence.’ Featuring over 20 different nationalities, the highly talented and qualified musicians are driven by a passion to play.
“We have an amazing array of music in our backyard and we want to bring this incredible sound that comes from a symphony orchestra to as many audiences as we can possibly find,” says Berryman.
“What the NSO Symphony Orchestra demonstrates is a collective passion to realise a dream,” adds Hassouneh.
For more visit: www.uaenso.org
Upcoming Performances
Check out the NSO Symphony Orchestra at The National Theatre Gala Concert on 25th April to experience the magic of music yourself. Hosted at 7.30pm at the National Theatre Abu Dhabi, tickets are from AED 75 and up. For more information visit: www.uaenso.org
