The Arabic Music Semester Intensive

The New York Arabic Orchestra (NYAO) hosts the Arabic Music Semester Intensive (AMSI), a outreach program which brings Arabic music education to the public, a comprehensive training program in taqasim (improvisation), ornamentation, ear training, solfege, diction, rhythm, and ensemble. AMSI simultaneously acts as an audition and training program for musicians to perform with the New York Arabic Orchestra. AMSI is broken into fall and spring semesters, with 2-4 sessions per semester, presently held in New York and Boston.

Courses are primarily led by Bassam Saba and April Centrone on percussion. Private instruction is available for the oud, nay, buzuq and Arabic percussion (riqq, darbakkeh, frame drum), and western strings and woodwinds such as violin, cello, doublebass, flute, clarinet, and saxophone.

Students should feel comfortable with their instruments of study and have strong skills in sight-reading and/or learning by ear. The exception to this is the Level I course offered in New York City only. Experience in Arabic music is not necessary. All western instruments are welcome.


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