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Integrating music into sustainable community development in Palestine
The outreach program was established by the ESNCM in 1996, in order to reach a wider section of Palestinian society, and to enable underprivileged children to learn music by bringing music into their own environment. Musical instruments are provided free of charge and students are involved in group musical activities as well as individual lessons. The first programs involved children from refugee camp schools who had never had the privilege of music education. In 1998 the outreach program became more active when the ESNCM delegated a number of its teachers to give violin and cello lessons at Rawdat al-Zuhour School in occupied Jerusalem and at al-Bireh Girls School, teaching music to children from the age of 6 to 16 years.
The Outreach Program is a vital part of the ESNCM’s educational work. Here, the ESNCM goes to the heart of communities that currently have no music provision, and teams up with a partner organization in those communities to provide instrumental music lessons and activities on site. Some of these outreach activities will grow and be transformed into formal branches of the ESNCM. Currently 150 children benefit from the ESNCM’s outreach program in Hebron and Jericho, and a further 120 in the refugee camps of Shufat, Dheisheh, Balata and Aqbet Jabr. In addition to instrumental activities, the program reaches another 100 children in occupied Jerusalem through the ESNCM choirs program and 300 in Gaza through the al-Sununu Choirs project.
Providing Palestinian society with creative and committed musicians capable of teaching music and promoting it.
Encouraging and enhancing music appreciation and interest within the public and official spheres.
Upgrading the ESNCM’s performance towards fulfilling its vision, mission, objectives and sustainability.
Edward Said National Conservatory of Music