Dubai: Giggles of youngsters — all dressed up in white and black — echoed backstage at the Children’s City auditorium on Saturday afternoon. Minutes later, the laughter and teasing were replaced by orchestral music played soulfully by young musicians in their quest to find a permanent home.
The Dubai Youth Orchestra — a non-profit organisation of children aged six and above from 20 nations — may be young literally at two years old. But their orchestra pieces including those from musical geniuses like J.S. Bach, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Fredric Chopin, to name a few, prove that their talent is a sight to behold.
Now on their second bi-annual concert, the orchestra has grown from just 28 members during their debut concert last year, to 50 members this year, including the Dubai Oud Club.
The members may be young but their professionalism during the concert was testament to their passion for musical perfection. Harry McCann, 14, who plays the trumpet, needed to fly back to England with his family because his grandfather had recently passed away. But because he had made a commitment to the orchestra, he chose to stay for the concert.
“My family allowed me to be here because I’m the only brass player in the orchestra and they need me,” McCann told Gulf News.
“The orchestra for me is very important because it teaches you the importance of teamwork,” he added.
For the longest time, the orchestra has survived with the support of family members who contribute their time, money, and effort so the group can continue to perform.
“We’re still seeking a new home. The situation is very bad right now as we keep shifting from one place to another. The problem is we don’t have a permanent home,” Emad Abeidoh, conductor and co-founder of the orchestra, told Gulf News.
Besides looking for a space of their own to rehearse and perform, the orchestra also needs community support, especially in terms of instruments.
“It’s hard for us, especially for the families. We have not seen any effect on the kids. If we don’t get help, we will still continue, but it would be better if we really have a place of our own where we can practise,” Nasser Abeidoh, the orchestra’s co-founder, said.
