Home | National Youth Orchestra of Iraq

Latest News – UK concerts confirmed

The National Youth Orchestra of Iraq is coming to the UK in August 2012! The orchestra makes its highly anticipated UK debut with cellist Julian Lloyd Webber and oud soloist Khyam Allami Led by Musical Director Paul MacAlindin, supported by players from the Edinburgh Youth Orchestra. The concerts include a new oud concerto by Gordon McPherson, with Kurdish and Arab Iraqi music alongside Fauré and Schubert’s “Tragic“ Symphony.

The National Youth Orchestra of Iraq is a fantastic living example of peace and reconciliation by Iraqis, for Iraq and for the world. This year we are invited by the Scottish Government to hold our three week summer school during the Edinburgh Festival. NYOI’s diversity brings together young Arabs and Kurds, among others from across Iraq, to create real harmony together. We were founded by a brave 17-year-old Iraqi, Zuhal Sultan, just four years ago. Since then, the orchestra has developed with the tireless energy of Musical Director Paul MacAlindin. Though many musicians fled the country during the war, we have been determined to create a national youth orchestra for Iraq and the world by collaborating with British Council and German Friends of NYOI. We audition each year on youtube and many of us receive our only tuition at the annual summer school.

Donations and Sponsorship

Our ambitious visit is made possible because of generous support from many organisations and individuals. We have almost reached our target! Sponsors and Partners for 2012 are: Scottish Government, British Council, Creative Scotland, Crescent Petroleum, The A.M. Dommett Charitable Trust, British Iraqi Friendship Society, Edinburgh Youth Orchestra, Jewel and Esk College, German Friends of NYOI, the Southbank Centre, Greyfriars Kirk, and the Royal Conservatoire Scotland as well as many private supporters.

Please join us in supporting our visit at:

Or contact fundraiser@nyoiraq.com

To discuss sponsorship for our visit to the European Capital of Culture, Aix-en-Province Festival in 2013, please contact us on sponsorship@nyoiraq.com

Performances

Come and hear us perform Fauré’s Elegie with Julian Lloyd Webber. The Oud, the symbol of Iraqi civilisation, is being performed by soloist, Khyam Allami. Tickets are available online.

Glasgow – 25th August 2012, 7.30pm: Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Buy tickets
Edinburgh – 26th August 2012, 7.30pm: Greyfriars Kirk as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Buy tickets
London – 28th August 2012, 7.30pm: Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, London. Buy tickets