The Heartland Seminar on Arabic Music offers a six-day residential program focusing on classical Arabic music. The seminar, held from March 15-21, is designed both for people who wish to begin their study as well as those who seek to improve their skills.
 
 The Heartland Seminar features internationally-recognized academics and performers who will offer individualized instruction in 'ud, nay, qanun, violin, percussion, and voice in addition to ensembles, lectures, and workshops. Instructors are members of the Arabesque Music Ensembl along with visiting scholars/musicians: Dr. Scott Marcus of Santa Barbara, Hicham Chami of Chicago, Hanna Khoury of Philadelphia, Naser Musa of Los Angeles, Kinan Abou-Afach of Chicago, and Karim Nagi of Boston. All instructors have extensive background in education and workshop-conducting in addition to being recording artists and performers.

The Heartland Seminar is sponsored by the Arabesque Foundation for Arab Culture, a Chicago-based organization dedicated to preserving the heritage of classical Arabic, Turkish, and Armenian music. The Arabesque Foundation promotes concerts, publishes a magazine, conducts educational workshops, and produces recordings.

The location is DeKoven Center in Racine, Wisconsin, a conference center on Lake Michigan. DeKoven is convenient to Mitchell Airport in Milwaukee, yet offers a secluded setting conducive to the seminar.

The cost for instruction plus meals/lodging (double occupancy) is $645; the non-residential cost, which includes two meals a day, is $550. 

Photo: Hicham Chami.

Further information about the Heartland Seminar, including press coverage and participant comments, may be found at: www.heartlandseminar.com
 

More information about the ensemble  at www.arabesquemusicensemble.com.