ANU music students had the wonderful experience of a Master class with Oxford Maqam. In a short time, the students were introduced to the history of Arabic music, traditional Arabic instruments, and the music itself. What a privilege it was for us all.

The pioneering Oxford Maqam comprises of vocalists and musicians who are renowned experts in their field of Egyptian music and song of the 19th and 20th centuries. The group consists of Martin Stokes playing the qanun; Yara Salahiddeen, a singer of classical and folkloric Arabic song; Tarik Beshir a vocalist and oud player; Eric Samothrakis playing the djembe; Malachy O’Neill on double bass; Salar Asid on violin; Mina Mikhail Salam on the ney; and Sharif Zaki Ibrahim on the riqq.

Showcasing Traditional Arabic Culture Through Music has received grant funding from the Council for Australian-Arab Relations of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.; The ANU Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies; The ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences; The ANU Research School of Social Sciences; and The ANU Humanities Research Centre.