Music on Campus
Posted on 03 May 2009 by NPopal
by Siddique Ahmed Nemat
Students at the American University of Afghanistan (AUAF) have received ten acoustic guitars worth around 3000US$, which have been donated by the California based non-profit organization “Guitars in the Classroom” (www.guitarsintheclassroom.org). Mr. Oliver Mains, Senior Lecturer in International Relations and adviser of the AUAF music club confirmed the arrival of the instruments on Saturday, April 18th.
- Photo by Siddique Ahmed Nemat
The students had organized the club in early April in an effort to promote music at the university and add to the extracurricular activities taking place on campus. “We were very excited and eagerly waiting for the shipment to arrive so we could start as soon as possible” said Rahim Behroozian, the club president and an undergraduate student.
Mr. Mains, who has a degree in clarinet performance from the Oberlin Conservatory in Music in addition to a degree in history, has been playing the clarinet since he was fourteen. According to him, AUAF representative in Washington, Emily Hagel, found out about “Guitars in the Classroom” and made the initial introduction.
Kamran Parwana research assistant to Dr.Abdul Qayum Mohmand is an experienced guitarist and has agreed to instruct the students with guitar basics. He will be holding two sessions every Saturday with those interested students.
“Music is one of the best extracurricular activities we can have on campus. It gives you a wide vision of the world and tells you how many ways there are through which you can express yourself” said Hosai Rahim Wardak, the club secretary and an undergraduate student majoring in liberal arts whose favorite instrument is the drums.
Beside western music, the club members are also planning to organize Afghan traditional music sessions where interested students and faculty members will have the chance to learn traditional music.
In a multi-ethnic country like Afghanistan, finding a specific choice for the style and genre of music that is acceptable for everyone is a challenge. “My music choice has changed a lot. I did not understand western music at first, but when I listened to it, I began to like of and now I love it” added Hosai who listens to a variety of music ranging from Vivaldi and Beethoven to Bob Marley and Scott Joplin. Majority of students at AUAF listen to Indian as well as Iranian, English and even western classical in addition to Afghan pop music.
Tags | AUAF Music Club, Music, On Campus
Oh my god! This is totally awsom, this is what i was talking about the first semester, I had the idea couldn’t make it practical though
sidique you did man, i am very happy you all could come up idea like that, in meanwhile i am excited to visit this band.. so what you gonna call your band? i mean music club does it have name.. this is wizard!!!
looking forward meet ya all
Adios’ Amigos
Nasria lets join it. It seems to be very interesting.
Nce picture + article, well done Siddiq (did i spell ir right lolz)
lol…is it right now?
Guys.. I was talking about my name in the photo caption!
lol, man you are so picky. it was just one letter
i fixed it sir
At least don’t misspell my poor name. It is Siddique Ahmed Nemat. Can someone fix that please?
I am sorry Dear Seddique. My mistake! I made it complete.
haha happy? your photo is there. i must say, its nice. masooma looks like she knows what shes doing loool
love you guys <3
Really interesting.
I think everyone will think of joining the club after reading this article. So, Nahid and Nasria, we better hurry or there will be no place for us to join!
Thanks Nahid, and you better use one of the photos I took too
LOL, yeah Nasria, I feel the same way.
Good job Siddique, loved the article!
Great! guitars finaly arrived … now i will join the club lolz