Simon Shaheen Inspires Students in South Dakota

posted on: Nov 21, 2011

<center><iframe src=”http://www.keloland.com/_video/_videoplayer_embed.cfm?VideoFile=111118musicclass” frameborder=”0″ width=”326″ height=”330″ name=”videoplayer” id=”embediframe” scrolling=”No”></iframe></center>

An internationally renowned musician is sharing his passion with South Dakota high school and college students just a day before taking the stage with the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra.

O’Gorman High School students experienced Arabic music from one of the most significant Arab musicians and composers of his generation, Friday.

Born in Palestine, Simon Shaheen infuses eastern and western music while spotlighting the Oud, something most students have never seen.

“I saw the excitement coming from their eyes,” Shaheen said. “It is a very interesting instrument.”

Shaheen is a guest performer with the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra Saturday after an invite from middle-eastern leaders in the Sioux Falls community. But in between rehearsals, he is sharing his passion.
“I try to introduce Arabic music in the context of the culture and we discussed in music the concept of the melodies,” Shaheen said.

By sharing his expertise with students, Shaheen gives them an opportunity to experience something new.

“Having an element of world music brought to these students having actual physical contact, fact-to-face contact with another culture like this is priceless education,” South Dakota Symphony Orchestra Conductor Delta David Gier said.

Shaheen also visited with Augustana College and University of Sioux Falls students.

Hailey Higgins
Keloland TV