Maqam Bayati & Friends - June 25th
Wed, 25 Jun 2025
7:00 - 8:30 PM (EDT)
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Refund Policy: No refunds
Maqam Bayati & Friends: Arabic singing classes exploring the maqam system
7pm-8:30pm, Wednesday June 25th 2025
Brooklyn School of Music - 126 St Felix St, Brooklyn, NY 11217
This is the third class of a three-class unit exploring Maqam Bayati. This class will focus on Maqam Bayati in comparison with Maqam Saba. Classes are modular, not sequential, so students can feel free to drop in to any one, or take all three.
Sami teaches maqam through a practice-based, embodied approach, using simple call-and-response singing to explore the different features of each maqam, and illustrating with numerous examples from the repertory. Students of all levels are welcome (including complete newbies to Arabic music). The class is also open to those who sing or play any instrument, though everyone is asked to sing. And you don’t have to think of yourself as a “singer” to participate.
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About Sami Abu Shumays: One of the leading Arab violinists in the U.S., Sami Abu Shumays is internationally known as a master of the maqam system. He is co-author of the acclaimed book Inside Arabic Music (Oxford University Press 2019), and his passion for teaching and oral tradition is also expressed through his YouTube series "Maqam Lessons," the website www.maqamlessons.com, and his contributions to www.maqamworld.com. Co-founder and director of the NYC-based Arabic music and dance ensemble Zikrayat (www.zikrayatmusic.com), Sami has also recently released his first solo album Circles, available on all streaming platforms (https://samiabushumays.hearnow.com/)
Brooklyn School of Music - 126 St Felix St, Brooklyn, NY 11217
This is the third class of a three-class unit exploring Maqam Bayati. This class will focus on Maqam Bayati in comparison with Maqam Saba. Classes are modular, not sequential, so students can feel free to drop in to any one, or take all three.
Sami teaches maqam through a practice-based, embodied approach, using simple call-and-response singing to explore the different features of each maqam, and illustrating with numerous examples from the repertory. Students of all levels are welcome (including complete newbies to Arabic music). The class is also open to those who sing or play any instrument, though everyone is asked to sing. And you don’t have to think of yourself as a “singer” to participate.
~~
About Sami Abu Shumays: One of the leading Arab violinists in the U.S., Sami Abu Shumays is internationally known as a master of the maqam system. He is co-author of the acclaimed book Inside Arabic Music (Oxford University Press 2019), and his passion for teaching and oral tradition is also expressed through his YouTube series "Maqam Lessons," the website www.maqamlessons.com, and his contributions to www.maqamworld.com. Co-founder and director of the NYC-based Arabic music and dance ensemble Zikrayat (www.zikrayatmusic.com), Sami has also recently released his first solo album Circles, available on all streaming platforms (https://samiabushumays.hearnow.com/)
A second-generation Palestinian-American, Sami originally studied Western music before traveling to the Arab World to reconnect with his roots. He studied with Alfred Gamil in Cairo; Mohamed Qasas, Abdel-Basit Bakkar, and Abdel-Minaim Senkary in Aleppo; and Simon Shaheen and Yusuf Kassab in New York.