RIYADH: Students from kindergarten age up to year 11 came together on stage at Beech Hall School in Riyadh for an orchestra and choir performance celebrating Saudi Arabia’s rich history, thriving present, and ambitious future.
Youngsters from a variety of nationalities performed “From Desert Sands to Global Horizons” to a packed auditorium of guests and parents who cheered global hits as well as Arabic classics such as “Ya Dar.”
Saudi Music Commission CEO Paul Pacifico, who attended the performance, told Arab News that “it is wonderful to see young performers bringing Saudi musical heritage to life through such an ambitious school production.”
Referring to a recent concert series by the country’s national orchestra, he added: “We are especially delighted that the performance was inspired by the Marvels of Saudi Orchestra, reflecting the role these experiences can play in encouraging young people to connect with music and culture.”
The performance at Beech Hall School told the story of two travelers making their way through the desert. The choir opened with Sting’s 1999 hit “Desert Rose” to signify the start of the Kingdom before moving on to Algerian singer Rachid Taha’s “Ya Rayeh.”
