Cooperation with the choral community in the United Arab Emirates: Together with the UAE government INTERKULTUR organized a five-day choral conducting workshop for over 70 music teachers from all parts of the country.

Under the direction of INTERKULTUR’s Artistic Director Johan Rooze and the renowned German conductor, lecturer and adjudicator Nicol Matt, the group met in Abu Dhabi and Dubai and worked on a variety of skills such as conducting techniques, voice training and basic rehearsal techniques. In return both pedagogues gained a detailed insight into the local culture and music tradition of choirs in the Middle East.

The government of the country is seeking to establish a comprehensive and renewed choral education system and is thus promoting regular training possibilities with choral experts. Conductors and music teachers from local schools are the main target group as they serve as multipliers throughout the choral community.

Especially children will benefit from future enhanced offers for choir singing, which e.g. strengthens the feeling of togetherness, boost their health or create a real bonding experience. The workshop is supposed to be continued in October in both cities and tie in with the knowledge gained during the first lecture.