Performing my piece, Of Nights and Solace, for Ensemble and Choir (Commissioned by Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture), at Grinnell College. Along with Kareem Roustom’s Embroidered Verses. With The Grinnell Singers and conducted by John Rommereim.

The Vermont Symphony Orchestra w/ conductor Christopher James Lees

“Syria was represented by the world premiere of a work celebrating diversity by a recent immigrant composer. Kinan Abou-afach’s “Speak” is a brilliant and dramatic work with a Middle Eastern flavor in which disparate voices— instrumental lines — clash and come together, part and regroup. While its language, though tonal, is decidedly contemporary, the work was received enthusiastically by Sunday’s audience.” — Jim Lowe / timesargus.com

VSO SUMMER FESTIVAL TOUR

Remaining performances:
– Tuesday, July 4: Shelburne – Shelburne Museum
– Thursday, July 6: Chittenden – Mountain Top Inn
– Friday, July 7: Ludlow – Okemo Resort
– Saturday, July 8: Randolph – Three Stallion Inn
– Sunday, July 9: Stowe – Trapp Family Concert Meadow

The Vermont Symphony Orchestra w/ conductor Christopher James Lees

“Syria was represented by the world premiere of a work celebrating diversity by a recent immigrant composer. Kinan Abou-afach’s “Speak” is a brilliant and dramatic work with a Middle Eastern flavor in which disparate voices— instrumental lines — clash and come together, part and regroup. While its language, though tonal, is decidedly contemporary, the work was received enthusiastically by Sunday’s audience.” — Jim Lowe / timesargus.com

VSO SUMMER FESTIVAL TOUR

Remaining performances:
– Tuesday, July 4: Shelburne – Shelburne Museum
– Thursday, July 6: Chittenden – Mountain Top Inn
– Friday, July 7: Ludlow – Okemo Resort
– Saturday, July 8: Randolph – Three Stallion Inn
– Sunday, July 9: Stowe – Trapp Family Concert Meadow

The Vermont Symphony Orchestra w/ conductor Christopher James Lees

“Syria was represented by the world premiere of a work celebrating diversity by a recent immigrant composer. Kinan Abou-afach’s “Speak” is a brilliant and dramatic work with a Middle Eastern flavor in which disparate voices— instrumental lines — clash and come together, part and regroup. While its language, though tonal, is decidedly contemporary, the work was received enthusiastically by Sunday’s audience.” — Jim Lowe / timesargus.com

VSO SUMMER FESTIVAL TOUR

Remaining performances:
– Tuesday, July 4: Shelburne – Shelburne Museum
– Thursday, July 6: Chittenden – Mountain Top Inn
– Friday, July 7: Ludlow – Okemo Resort
– Saturday, July 8: Randolph – Three Stallion Inn
– Sunday, July 9: Stowe – Trapp Family Concert Meadow

The Vermont Symphony Orchestra w/ conductor Christopher James Lees

“Syria was represented by the world premiere of a work celebrating diversity by a recent immigrant composer. Kinan Abou-afach’s “Speak” is a brilliant and dramatic work with a Middle Eastern flavor in which disparate voices— instrumental lines — clash and come together, part and regroup. While its language, though tonal, is decidedly contemporary, the work was received enthusiastically by Sunday’s audience.” — Jim Lowe / timesargus.com

VSO SUMMER FESTIVAL TOUR

Remaining performances:
– Tuesday, July 4: Shelburne – Shelburne Museum
– Thursday, July 6: Chittenden – Mountain Top Inn
– Friday, July 7: Ludlow – Okemo Resort
– Saturday, July 8: Randolph – Three Stallion Inn
– Sunday, July 9: Stowe – Trapp Family Concert Meadow

The Vermont Symphony Orchestra w/ conductor Christopher James Lees

“Syria was represented by the world premiere of a work celebrating diversity by a recent immigrant composer. Kinan Abou-afach’s “Speak” is a brilliant and dramatic work with a Middle Eastern flavor in which disparate voices— instrumental lines — clash and come together, part and regroup. While its language, though tonal, is decidedly contemporary, the work was received enthusiastically by Sunday’s audience.” — Jim Lowe / timesargus.com

VSO SUMMER FESTIVAL TOUR

Remaining performances:
– Tuesday, July 4: Shelburne – Shelburne Museum
– Thursday, July 6: Chittenden – Mountain Top Inn
– Friday, July 7: Ludlow – Okemo Resort
– Saturday, July 8: Randolph – Three Stallion Inn
– Sunday, July 9: Stowe – Trapp Family Concert Meadow

As a part of Global week for Syria: Syrian Music Lives
“It will be an evening of music saturated with unique scales, improvisation, and rhythmic grooves, all intermingled with freely constructed jazz. The original pieces within the show are rooted in Abou-afach’s recollections of his homeland Syria before the conflict, expressed through the Middle-Eastern-influenced modes and the rich harmonies of Jazz. In this blending of temporal and aesthetics styles, this music performance looks to the future while paying homage to the past.”

Kinan Abou-afach & Friends. With: Julian Horner (Piano), Chico Huff (Bass), Hafez Kotain (Percussion), and Jim Hamilton (Drums)

A review by Peter Dobrin: Philly.com Article

Report on Revolutionary Circumstances and Other Plays from Egypt

By Magdy El-Hamzawy, Yasmeen Emam (Shaghaf), Hani Abdel Nasser, and Mohamed Abdel Mu’iz

Translated by Rebekah Maggor, Amor Eletrebi, Mona Ragab, and Mohammed Albakry

Adapted and Directed by Rebekah Maggor

Original Music by Kinan Abou-afach

Movement Direction and Choreography by Melanie Stewart

Rowan University