Teen forms first national youth orchestra of Iraq

Seventeen-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.

As their August launch draws near, NYOI is actively seeking financial support via the grassroots fundraising site 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.

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 UK-based charity Making Music, the U.S.-based non-profit Musicians For Harmony, and Scottish conductor Paul MacAlindin.

Zuhal describes her ambition in terms that reach beyond the establishment of an orchestra. She said: “I want to unite young Iraqis from all over the country, who come from different ethnic and religious backgrounds and who have been separated from one another by the conflict. Through the National Youth Orchestra of Iraq, I want to encourage our young people to establish a dialogue with one another in music, to realize that we have it within ourselves to be strong and creative and, most importantly, to celebrate our identity as Iraqi musicians together.”

NYOI’s Music Director Paul MacAlindin comments: “Dedicated, talented and brave, these young musicians are one step away from sending a joyful, creative message that the healing of Iraq is in good hands. Zuhal belongs to a new generation of gifted, inspiring leaders who have a passionate, giant vision, with the skills and the world view to make it happen.”

Visit the National Youth Orchestra of Iraq's fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/nyoiraq, or visit www.makingmusic.org.uk/nyoi to learn more. More on M4H here: www.musicians4harmony.org

Read more about Zuhal Sultan's story and the NYOI here: szuhalpno.googlepages.com/press