The Faculty of Music and Musicology (FMM) at Antonine University (UA) held a student concert on February 12, 2025, at Our Lady of the Seeds Monastery, featuring performances from advanced students under the guidance of Ms. Janna Popkova and Dr. Ghassan Sahhab. The event highlighted three distinct musical traditions: Baroque chamber music, 20th-century Russian music, and Nahḍa-era instrumental music.

The concert was attended by Fr. Michel Saghbiny, UA’s Rector; Fr. Ziad Maatouk; Secretary General; Fr. Jean Al Alam, Vice Rector for Integral Human Development; Fr. Elie Abou Assaf, Director of the Antonine School of Music; and Prof. Nidaa Abou Mrad, Dean of the FMM, along with faculty members, students, and families.

The evening began with Corelli’s Sonata da Chiesa Op. 1, No. 5, followed by three short pieces by Shostakovich and Vivaldi’s Trio Sonata No. 12 in D minor “La Folia.” The performers — Nagham Al Zein (violin), Maria Saidy (flute), Georges Chidiac (harpsichord), Elias Awwad (cello), Bassem Karame (lute), and Sarelle Helou (piano) — demonstrated impressive technical skill and musical sensitivity.

The second half shifted to Nahḍa-era music, with students interpreting maqām-based music from the Mašriq’s artistic tradition. The program featured three waṣalāt-suites in maqām Sīkāh, maqām Bayyātī, and maqām Rāst, with compositions by Ṭātyos Ekserjyān and Sami Chawa, along with improvisations by Hamza Hamieh (qānūn), Samer Jaafar (violin), Jad Issaoui (‘ūd), and Youssef Wehbe (riq), who demonstrated a high level of instant creativity.

The audience responded with enthusiasm, applauding the moments of improvisation and intricate ensemble playing. The concert reaffirmed FMM’s dedication to training young musicians in both Western and Mašriq traditions, with more student performances planned in the future.