MUSICAL AMERICA 17-Year-Old Pianist Zuhal Sultan Forms National Youth Orchestra of Iraq By SCPR June 15, 2009 17-Year Old Pianist Zuhal Sultan Forms First-Ever NATIONAL YOUTH ORCHESTRA OF IRAQ A Promising New Beginning for Young Musicians in the Conflict Zone; August Debut is Planned for Northern Kurdish Region Visionary Project Gains Support of British Council, Iraqi Government and Charities Making Music & Musicians For Harmony
17-year-old Iraqi piano prodigy Zuhal Sultan has confirmed plans for the first-ever NATIONAL YOUTH ORCHESTRA OF IRAQ. Her ambitious program will debut in August 2009 in the northern Kurdish region, and will feature performances by a 35-piece orchestra comprised of Iraq’s most promising young classical musicians. The NYOI is a clear sign that Iraq’s cultural landscape is alive and well, and that there are young artists eager to be heard amid the backdrop of conflict. Zuhal Sultan’s goal is to establish a haven for the next generation of Iraqi musicians, and she is well on her way. Zuhal has already become the focus of international media attention, and her extraordinary personal journey was recently chronicled by The London Times: http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/classical/article5989273.ece As their August launch draws near, NYOI is actively seeking financial support via the grassroots fundraising site http://www.justgiving.com/nyoiraq. Any donation, large or small, will make a difference as these young people embark on their brave road of cultural diplomacy. Their August debut program is expected to include orchestral works by Beethoven and Haydn; a commissioned piece by NYOI's composer-in-residence, Sir Peter Maxwell Davies; and new pieces by Iraqi Kurdish and Arab composers. Also in the works is a possible performance of Gershwin by NYOI's own Artistic Director and Founder, Zuhal Sultan. In addition to supporting their debut concerts in August, NYOI seeks funds to bring professional music instructors from around the world to Iraq to establish an NYOI Summer School program. Aid is also needed to support plans for their first-ever tour. More about Zuhal Sultan: In the chaos that descended on her native Baghdad as the war began in 2003, Zuhal experienced little in the way of a normal childhood. The once prestigious Baghdad Music and Ballet School, where she was a scholarship student, was on the brink of collapse, as most of the teachers fled the country. Zuhal recalls that just being seen on the streets of Baghdad with an instrument case became dangerous, as it was viewed as a sign of wealth and Western cultural values. Yet even in the absence of professional instructors, and in the face of extraordinary adversity, Zuhal and her fellow students managed to keep the school open, and teach themselves. Additional worldwide press coverage of the story may been seen here: http://szuhalpno.googlepages.com/press Zuhal has already assembled a formidable support system for the inaugural year of NYOI, with backing in place from The British Council in Iraq, Iraqi’s Deputy Prime Minister, Barhem Salih, the UKbased charity Making Music, the U.S.-based non-profit Musicians For Harmony, and Scottish conductor Paul MacAlindin.