The Arabic Music Community Ensemble was founded in 2023 as a study group exploring the vocal and instrumental music of the Arab world. Coming from across Maine, its members have diverse musical backgrounds and are made up of professional performers as well as dedicated amateurs. Many have studied with leading master instructors in the genre, and have attended the annual week-long Arabic Music Retreat at Mount Holyoke College.

After two years of study and rehearsal together, the Ensemble is delighted to present its debut concert. They will perform instrumental and vocal works by leading composers of Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine, as well as notable Arab-American composers. The audience will hear the sounds of Arabic singing, oud (fretless lute), qanun (plucked zither), nay (end-blown reed flute), violin, clarinet, riqq (tambourine), tabla (goblet drum) and tar (frame drum) in a program of folkloric, neoclassical, and contemporary selections.