CAC’s Music Programs
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Children Choir
The Children's Choir was established on March 2, 2014. It is the First Arab-American children's choir in Massachusetts.We introduce children 5-14 years old to the language and culture through folkloric, contemporary and modern Arabic music and songs.
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JAZAL - Adult Choir
CAC is pleased to introduce the CAC Adult Choir! The choir members sing in Arabic! (No previous knowledge of the Arabic Language is required)Choir members will be immersed in Arabic culture through folkloric, contemporary and modern Arabic music and songs.
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Youth Orchestra Program
Under Direction of Layth Sidiq, the CAC Youth Orchestra Program welcomes students between the ages of 5-16 - who already have some experience playing a musical instrument, to study and perform Arabic music in an interactive group environment, learning from a line-up of award-winning artists. -
Boston Arabic Music Ensemble (BAME)
BAME In Residence at CAC
In partnership with CAC, In the early 1980s, a few amateur musicians and friends from the Boston community gathered to play some popular folkloric and other classical songs from the Arabic musical heritage. This group has since grown..
CAC Children Choir
ABOUT
The Children's Choir was established on March 2, 2014. It is the First Arab-American children's choir in Massachusetts. We introduce children 5-15 years old to the language and culture through folkloric, contemporary and modern Arabic music and songs.
GOALS
Introduce Arab-American youths to the Arabic and Middle Eastern music, musicians and singers.
Learn about Arabic quarter tones and singing styles.
Introduce Arabic and Middle Eastern music to American society at large.
Encourage children and teenagers from all backgrounds to join irrespective of speaking Arabic.
Participate in concerts around Massachusetts and beyond to spread the word about the rich Arabic musical heritage.
For those who are interested in practicing their Arabic language skills the choir is a fun and contemporary method to build stronger knowledge of Arabic.
Singing in harmony and a cappella will enrich the children and teenagers’ musical background.
Rehearsal time 3:00- 4:30 pm.
Children ages 5 - 6 rehearse for 30 minutes 3:00- 3:30 pm
Children ages 7- 15 rehearse for 1 hour between 3:30 - 4:30 pm
All Rehearsals are in-person!
Location: Newton, MA
Lasell University,
Winslow Academic Center
80 Maple St. Auburndale, MA 02466
Registration Fees
$225/student for Fall or Spring Start, on Sundays
(Fall: Sept. 15, 2024 - Jan 19, 2025) OR (Spring Jan 26, 2025 - June 1, 2025)$450/student for both Fall and Spring Start, on Sundays
(Fall: Sept. 15, 2024 - Jan 19, 2025) AND (Spring Jan 26, 2025 - June 1, 2025)
For Questions please contact Ms. Alma Richeh directly at aricheh@cacboston.org.
To register for the CAC Children’s choir, please sign-up here
MEET THE DIRECTOR
Ms. Alma Richeh is the director of the children’s choir as well as the Executive Director of CAC, and she will be teaching this class. She has studied classical Arabic and opera singing in Syria, and was the conductor of Al Farah Choir youth division, a national choir in Damascus for 8 years. She led the choir in many national and regional concerts, among them were fundraising events for humanitarian causes and children’s rights. Alma established this choir and has been teaching this popular class since 2014.
AUDITIONS:
To schedule auditions, contact Ms. Richeh at aricheh@cacboston.org
Audition requirements:
Prepare a simple song to perform in any language
The conductor will play simple tunes and candidates will repeat them to decide which type of voice the candidate has (Soprano, Alto, Tenor or Bass)
Auditioning will be conducted privately to allow the kids to sing freely. (It is not a test, but a way to get to know each child and hear their singing)
Enjoy some of the previous performances
Jazal Adult Choir
ABOUT
CAC is pleased to introduce the CAC Adult Choir! The choir welcomes members singing in Arabic with no previous knowledge of Arabic Language required. Choir members will be immersed in Arabic culture through folkloric Arabic music, as well as contemporary and modern Arabic music and songs.
GOALS
Introduce the community to the Arabic and Middle Eastern music, musicians and singers.
Learn about Arabic quarter tones and singing styles.
Introduce Arabic and Middle Eastern music to American society at large.
Encourage members from all backgrounds to join irrespective of speaking Arabic.
Participate in concerts around Massachusetts and beyond to spread the word about the rich Arabic musical heritage.
For those who are interested in practicing their Arabic language skills the choir is a fun and contemporary method to build stronger knowledge of Arabic.
Singing in harmony and a cappella will enrich members' musical background.
DATES
Fall 2024:
Sundays, Sept. 15, 2024 - Jan. 19, 2025
Spring 2025:
Jan 26, 2025 - June 1, 2025
Rehearsal time 4:30 - 6:00 pm
All Rehearsals are in-person!
Location: Newton, MA
Lasell University,
Winslow Academic Center
80 Maple St. Auburndale, MA 02466
Registration Fees: $225/student per semester
For Questions please contact Ms. Alma Richeh directly at aricheh@cacboston.org.
For registration, please use the blue button below.
MEET THE DIRECTOR
Ms. Alma Richeh is the director of the children’s choir as well as the Executive Director of CAC, and she will be teaching this class. She has studied classical Arabic and opera singing in Syria, and was the conductor of Al Farah Choir youth division, a national choir in Damascus for 8 years. She led the choir in many national and regional concerts, among them were fundraising events for humanitarian causes and children’s rights. Alma established this choir and has been teaching this popular class since 2014.
AUDITIONS:
To schedule auditions, contact Ms. Richeh at aricheh@cacboston.org
Audition requirements:
Prepare a song to perform in any language
The conductor will play simple tunes and candidates will repeat them to decide which type of voice the candidate has (Soprano, Alto, Tenor or Bass)
Youth Orchestra Program
ABOUT
The CAC Youth Orchestra Program welcomes students between the ages of 5-16 - who already have some experience playing a musical instrument - to study and perform Arabic music in an interactive group environment, learning from a line-up of award-winning artists.
The program consists of two ensembles, one for students with one year experience and the other for intermediate and Advanced students.
The Program consists of:
Bayyat Orchestra (For students with one year experience)
Hijaz Orchestra (For Intermediate and Advanced Students)
Orchestra group lessons will be held once a week on Sundays following the same schedule as the CAC Arabic School Calendar.
Study Plan
The Program consists of:
Bayyat Orchestra (For students with one year experience)
Hijaz Orchestra (For Intermediate and advanced Students)
The format of the year will be as follows:
One hour of orchestra rehearsal (in person). The Orchestra meets on Sundays at CAC Arabic School between 5 and 6 pm.
30 minutes of sectionals for each instrument during the week. ‘Sectionals’ is an orchestral term which means when an instrumental group would meet separately and work on specific segments in the music before rejoining the full orchestra rehearsal. For example, the orchestra rehearsal will be on Sunday as usual, and prior to that during the week, the Qanun students will meet together with their Qanun instructor on Zoom for 30 minutes to practice specific segments of the music they need help with.
Dates: Sundays
Fall: Sept 8,2024 - Jan 19, 2025
Spring: Jan 26, 2025 to June 1, 2025
Orchestra Time: 5 pm -6 pm
Sectional Time: TBA with the each instrument teacher
All Rehearsals are in-person!
Location: Newton, MA
Lasell University,
Winslow Academic Center
80 Maple St. Auburndale, MA 02466
MEET THE DIRECTOR
A Message From the Orchestra Director
“An orchestra is a community, a gathering of like-minded individuals with the aim of making music together as well as reinforcing the shared human values that make us a better society. At the Center for Arab Culture Youth’s Orchestra, students will benefit from studying with some of the best Arab musicians in the country, both privately and as a group, as well as being part of a dedicated ensemble that will prepare and perform Arab music from its traditional repertoire to its contemporary.
The future is in the hands of our youth. With the goal of preserving and integrating Arab music within the community, this orchestra will be an essential educational experience that will bring the youth closer to the roots of Arab music in both traditional and non-traditional formats. It will also be a space where they build their character, meet other peers, appreciate and play Arab music instruments and develop the skills they’ll need to become future leaders in their fields.”
-Layth Sidiq, CAC Youth’s Orchestra Director
Enjoy some of the previous performances
Registration Fees
$615/student for Fall or Spring Start, on Sundays
(Fall: Sept. 8, 2024 - Jan 19, 2025) OR (Spring Jan 26, 2025 - June 1, 2025)$1,230/student for both Fall and Spring Start, on Sundays
(Fall: Sept. 8, 2024 - Jan 19, 2025) AND (Spring Jan 26, 2025 - June 1, 2025)
CLASS CANCELLATION POLICY:
Students must give at least 24 hour notice to the teacher if they cannot attend the lesson unless it is due to sickness or strong emergency. In the event that the teacher must cancel the class, there will be make up lesson rescheduled in our location in Somerville. The dates for any make up lesson will be determined by the teacher and the students.
PARENTS' CLASS ATTENDANCE POLICY:
While we are happy for parents to attend the first lesson, to feel reassured that the classes are taught in a manner commensurate with their expectations, we ask of you to please wait for your children in waiting area.
This policy creates a sense of independence for the student, it strengthens the bond between the teacher and the student and it allows the teacher to give the student his/her undivided attention. Feel free to collect your children from their classrooms, so that the teacher can communicate with you at the end of each lesson what was covered and how you can assist your child in his/her weekly practice.
Instrument Rentals
Families will be responsible for purchasing or renting the instruments.
CAC has Qanun and Oud for CAC Orchestra to rent out while they are enrolled at the program. We distribute the available instruments to families on first come first serve basis.
To rent Violin, Cello or Percussion instrument, you can contact: Music & Art at 888-731-5396.
To purchase Qanun from the US or the Middle East, our Qanun teacher Jamal Sinno provided the following specification to look for: "It must have at least 5 mendels or O'rab...Syrian Qanuns are well made and the workmanship is reputable. Turkey also is preferable since they make a smaller size Qanun that is more practical."
Please ask us about renting Oud and Qanun.
To rent an instrument (Oud or Qanun) from CAC, please contact CAC at info@cacboston.org
If you would like to support the Orchestra Program you can donate using the donation button below. Your donation will help CAC in sustaining the first Arab Orchestra Program for the youth and children in New England.
Your tax deductible donation will be used for the sole purpose of improving, sustaining, and expanding the Youth Orchestra Program at CAC. Any amount will make a difference!
Boston Arabic Music Ensemble
In Residence at CAC
In the early 1980s, a few amateur musicians and friends from the Boston community gathered to play some popular folkloric and other classical songs from the Arabic musical heritage. The group gathered in several venues from private homes to local universities such as MIT and Harvard, and lately at the Center for Arabic Culture to celebrate that rich musical heritage. Many of the group members have participated in and learned the musical format through the Arabic Music Retreat that is held yearly at Mount Holyoke College under the direction of Simon Shaheen and AJ Racy, as well as students and faculty from the Berklee School of Music in Boston.
More recently, the group has evolved into its current members from the Boston community and performs classical and folkloric Arabic musical repertoire, most recently performing at the Harvard Arab Week opening ceremony. The Boston Arabic Music Ensemble was under the artistic direction of the late Bassam Saba (from 2010 to 2018). Since 2018, it has been led by the international award-winning violinist, composer, and educator Layth Sidiq, Bengisu Gökçe (Berklee School of Music), and more recently Akram Haddad (New England Conservatory NEC).
The Boston Arabic Music Ensemble (BAME) welcomes committed intermediate and advanced level musicians. For all queries, please contact: BostonArabicMusicEnsemble@gmail.com
Layth Sidiq, Akram Haddad and Bengisu Gökçe: Musical and performance Directors
Alejandro Castellano: Guitar, Oud
Manal Baqer: Voice
Ghaleb Daouk: Nay, flute
Rania El-Fekih : Voice
Lisa Ann Esperson : Percussion
Bengisu Gökçe: violin
Lina Malshy: Violin
Samia Mora: Oud
Anne Phipps: Percussion
Jamal Sinno: Qanoun
Jamila Talhi : Voice
If you are interested in joining the ensemble, please email us at: info@cacboston.org
