ASWAT Concert Performances

Dear Nabila,
I wanted to express how impressed and grateful I was to attend the Aswat concert at San Francisco State University. I was so excited to go but had no idea what to expect. As I sat there in the audience, I thought, ‘everyone should see this!’ As a non-Arab, so many questions flooded my mind. I wanted to know why the singing was put through a filter effect (?) with some of the men or with everyone. The mens’ voices were hauntingly beautiful: the singers’ voices and talent reached my soul. I just felt happy, alive and grateful listening to it all.

I wondered why the music resonated with me so deeply as I have no other connection to the culture than just loving the music and dance. I don’t even understand the words but am left transported anyway. I wondered about the history of the pieces and about the instruments and the music schools, the method of instruction…

When the Persian group came out to perform I also had no idea what to expect and my date and I were left speechless and breathless. Siamak was so amazing! It was the first time I thought of human fingers as instruments in their own right! I bought a CD of his and of Aswat’s and played them for my friends and roommates and blabbed on an on about how amazing the concert was. They were amazed at what they heard.

I’ve still been wondering how I can get more of my friends and colleages who may never have heard middle-eastern music to see this concert. I also cannot forget the girl who spoke parts of her song. It was the first time I’d heard the language like that, like it was music. I think she was speaking Farsi. I lived with an Iranian girl years ago who spoke Farsi but I’d never heard the language sound like that. Whatever she was speaking was so captivating it made me want to listen her tell a story or recite poetry just like that for hours. My date and I were leaning forward in our seats the whole time she was up there to get closer to it! That was what I guess I was left wanting, a desire to somehow get closer to the music.

I was grateful to be able to see such a show and to experience such exceptional talent. It wasn’t commercial so it felt more accessible, more real. I thought that if people heard these sounds and saw this talent it would break down many misunderstandings between cultures. I couldn’t believe I could see something like that at SFSU and I just wished the group could be presenting in several locations with bigger audiences around the States!

I am still filled with inspiration from the concert and thank you, Nabila, for all your belief and hard work to bring this exceptional group together. I would be honored to help find another venue for a similar concert to take place. I want my friends to get to see something this fresh and magnificent. It would be different for them, uplifting and broadening.

I thank you and all of your performers and supporters for helping to make the concert a reality. I can’t WAIT to hear about new and upcoming performances! Once again, please extend my utmost gratitude and appreciation to the entire Aswat Ensemble.

In gratitude,
Allison Kenny

Dear Ms. Mango: I attended this Aswat’s Winter Concert at Skyline College on the 24th of January, and could not have been more impressed with the organization, content and quality of the musicians. There were 4 members of my group, who were also pleased and impressed with the concert. The time passed too quickly, and then it was finished! We could have stayed another hour. I must also tell you that bringing people together from all parts of the Middle East and the United States to play this beautiful music unites us all in common beauty of the music in our lives. Playing music together and listening to it tends to unite us on the better side of our humanity. Hopefully, the negative stereotypes of Arabic Peoples by some Americans will be reduced with the music from the Arabic heart. It’s important to show more than just one dimension of ones culture, and Aswat’s Winter Concert certainly accomplished this goal! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Grazie! –Angelo D. Izzo Prof. of American History

Dearest Haya, Pardon me for answering so very late to your so very kind and loving praise when, in fact, I was having a perfectly wonderful time, as usual ! You are the one who must be thanked for your enormous patience and grace! If I may suggest 2 things:While I helped Ercan & the other volunteers at the intermission, the cookies & candies sold like the proverbial hot cakes & we could not take the money fast enough!  Would you like me to help organize those folks who can & like to bake, to bring home made goodies to sell next time? By the looks of it,it should be a great money making gig,and I will be happy to deal with it. Also I wonder if it would be appropriate for me to donate some of the jewelry, keychains etc I make ( they have north african & middle eastern motifs) to sell with the cds & books ? Let me know & I’ll get it all together Inshallah ! The friends I brought to this, yet again marvelous concert, are still taking about it. Soon we’ll need a bigger venue!!! Much love to you Habibti & a million thanks to  all the musicians & volunteers for their fabulous effort. -Amal Crespo

Dear Nabila, ASWAT production was fantastic – Congratulations! Um Kalthoom and the director were amazing. When is your next ASWAT concert?
-Sam HADDAD

Dear Nabila,  I attended Aswat’s performance last Saturday and since then I have been meaning to write and thank you and all those that are involved in putting such a beautiful and wonderful performance. Aswat truly flourished under your directions.  Since 2000 I have attended many of Aswat’s performances and by far Last Saturday’s performance was the best and most enjoyable that I have seen.  It is the first time I have attended an Arabic music concert that had a formal conductor.  Mr. Sari Dowidar is talented in many ways and added very much to the concert.  The concert was well organized and I was happy to see that it was also well attended.  Even the program exceeded my expectations and it was wonderful to see the Arabic writing and followed by the English translations.  It was a wonderful evening that I will always remember.  I thank you all and wish continuous success in the years to come.
-Bader

Nabila, I think it was my favorite ASWAT concert so far last Saturday. The musical director really did a bang up job. My parents loved it as well. They left with big grins on their faces!
-ANDREW ROTH

Hi Nabila,  Ya3teeky alf 3afyeh, the concert was wonderful, great, I loved it.
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Thanks Nabila,  Great show as usual. I was glad to attend and be a part (albeit small) of it. This concert is phenomenal in that it’s a rare presentation of authentic Arab culture, a show of its richness, beauty and diversity. I feel both pleased and proud when I attend every year as I’m sure the audience do. thank you. See you soon.
–Wael elbhassi

Salaamaat min Botswana:  Madeleine, my two daughters and my grandson attended the concert and told me they were ABSOLUTELY THRILLED with a fantastic and exhilarating experience. I am sorry I missed out. Congratulations!
-Antoine

Dear Nabila,  We wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed the past Saturday’s Aswat concert.  The music was exceptional and a lot of fun.  This is the first time we have attended an Arabic music concert and we were very impressed and would like to thank you for starting this organization. -Jumana and Shabbir Latif

Salaam Nabila, hope you are doing well! btw you and the volunteers did a FANTASTIC job on the aswat concert the other night. my wife and i really enjoyed it!!! we had a really nice time and I’m glad that i was able to meet br. sary while he was visiting us. he’s such a lovely man. see you soon! -yusuf

Dear Haya,  It is us who should be thanking you for your great organization, keen sense of detail, sweet kindness, and heartfelt giving. As the director said, your gentle touch was very much present at all times.  Thanks for allowing me to help, even in a minuscule way. Thank you for your leadership and acknowledgment. We are definitely blessed to be around you!
 Best regards, -Amira Abedrabbo

The event was lots of fun, congratulations for a great event.  We may even need a bigger venue next time, I’m planning to bring all my friends in the future.
Good luck,
-Rasha Dessouki (Bay area arabic school gift coordinator)

I would like to recognize and congratulate the show that ASWAT performed on Saturday! Wow it was very well done, lively, upbeat, sold out and all the audience liked it with standing ovation! This was my 2nd time, and it’s nice to see this young group evolve to be a well-credited professional musical group! Great job! looking forward when the CD is up; (Or when it’s posted free on youtube for a wider reach!!). It was also enchanting to see the community of the Bay Area. A lot of thanks went to Nabila Mango, the “driving force” as she was described. Bravo!
-Mohamad

Hi Nabila, First of all, thank you for inviting us as your guests. We are honored by this. As I said to you at your home,  — I was amazed.  The community ensemble effort is large, complex and difficult — as you know — but you and all the others have pulled it off in a great way.  At this special time — after Gaza — and even in this generally difficult time for the Arab people and culture, this concert means so much on so many levels. Watching non-Arabs and Arabs come together to learn and present the very difficult material and music that was selected — was joyful.  Your continuing perseverance to find grants and bring a guest conductor who obviously pulled the ensemble together in his way is to be noted and appreciated…. The youth presentations were strong and powerful. The dedication to the Gazan children brought us both to tears.  Both of us, as musicians in our childhood,  know the importance of music in our lives, of public performances and the significance of these unforgettable moments.  I can guarantee you, the youth presentations will be indelible in our  memories–as well as those of many others who were in attendance and most certainly the children themselves.
Dr. Sary is very talented, dedicated, sincere and has a wonderful conducting style — a strong leader.  It is very challenging to work with amateurs (using the elevated definition and Latin root of the word:  love) but such great fulfillment comes from it — and his message was that — fulfillment.  How great that you could bring him here to give ASWAT another experience with another conductor!!   Please receive these comments in the most positive way as  Georges and I both enjoyed Saturday night’s concert  thoroughly!!
The audience enjoyed it — and we enjoyed the audience (!) — both as observers within it and being part of FULL HOUSE of very attentive listeners.   We applaud your efforts and your continuing success with Aswat and Zawaya.
 The Arab culture is rich, complex and beautiful — your work makes a difference in the American landscape….we are all learning!!!   Again, many thanks, Nabila and for the lovely “after party” — we were so happy to be among so many of our old friends and colleagues.
 Sincerely,
-Jeanette & Georges Lammam

 Nabila, Nabila, Nabila!!
What a night and what a woman you are to have done all of this over the years. Claudia told me about your idea and your struggle over the years to get volunteers. Amazing! You are truly an inspiration and a source of pride for your friends and your community. You have created such a cultural cross-ver, one of kinship and cooperation. What a coup in getting the grant for the maestro to come from Egypt; he was amazing. The entire group sounded very professional. Also, the children were so cute and talented. And the Persian musician playing the santour was a special treat for me. I certainly look forward to your collaboration with him for the concert of classical Persian and Arab music; for that you’ll need a space twice the size of the Skyline venue as the Persian community is very large, as you know, and I will help get the word out.Overall–an enjoyable and inspiring evening.
Thanks so much.
-Michele