Makamic Choir

Courses /
  • Ensemble

Discover the MENA Vocal Traditions with the Makamic Choir

The Makamic Choir at the GMA draws on the rich vocal traditions of the broader MENA region (Middle East and North Africa) with a repertoire of music from stretching from Syria and Irak through Egypt to the Magreb.

The choir explores the beauty of the multitude of vocal traditions from simple folk songs to the Aleppan Qudud Halabiya, the song forms of Iraq, the Adwar songs of Egypt and the Andalusian Mowashahat poetry set to music. In this choral tradition the singers are often accompanied by Percussion and melodic instruments like Oud, Nay, Violin and Kanun. The songs are based on the tonal system called Maqam which is common to the whole region. One of the typical musical devices used is a call and response between the choir and the soloist or the choir and the instruments which opens up a huge range of melodic and rhythmic possibilities. Makamic music is a very melodic tradition, the haunting melodies allow the singers to explore the beauty of the Makam they are singing. The main language used in the songs is Arabic. The Makamic choir is open to everyone. No prior musical knowledge is required, just a willingness to explore and enjoy the music.

Teacher

  • Bakr Khleifi - Oud teacher
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    Bakr Khleifi

    Oud Player from Jerusalem – Palestine

    Bakr Khleifi, hails from Jerusalem, Palestine. He embarked on his musical journey at an early age, beginning oud studies at six under the tutelage of renowned oudist Ahmad al-Khatib. Over the following decade, Bakr honed his skills with esteemed oudists such as Simon Shaheen and Samir Joubran of the Trio Joubran. At 15, he expanded his musical repertoire by taking up the double bass, swiftly earning a place in Daniel Barenboim and Edward Said’s prestigious West-Eastern Divan Orchestra within a year.

    Academic and Professional Achievements

    Bakr holds a bachelor’s degree in world music, specialising in oud, from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, and a master’s degree in music from the Buchmann-Mehta School of Music in Tel Aviv, focusing on double bass performance. He spent six years as a member of the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, performing at renowned venues such as Carnegie Hall, Teatro La Scala, Philharmonie Berlin, and the Royal Albert Hall.

    Music Education

    In addition to his performing career, Bakr is dedicated to music education. He taught at the Barenboim-Said Foundation in Ramallah – Palestine, offering music appreciation, theory, and orchestral repertoire coaching to young students

    At the Global Music Academy, Bakr offers oud lessons specifically for students with intermediate experience.

    Courses

    • Oud

    • Makamic Choir

    Languages

    German, English, Arabic

    Website

    https://www.bakrkhleifi.com/