The Aga Khan Youth and Sports Board for Pakistan (AKYSBP), in collaboration with renowned academia National College of Arts (NCA), arranged a Musical Instrument Training Camp at the NCA auditorium in Islamabad from the 28th of January to the 9th of February 2019.
The cohort consisted of 21 passionate individuals, aged 16 to 23, from Punjab, Gilgit-Baltistan, Chitral, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The programme enhanced participant’s knowledge pertaining to instruments, the indispensability of coordination, and different elements of music such as lyrics, melody, and renditions. Coupled with the discovery of learning opportunities and engagement with western, semi-classical, and folk music, participant’s learning experience was thoroughly enriched.
Studying music is often recognised as learning how to play an instrument while creating a soulful, rhythmic experience. However, this programme enlightened participants with the significance of theoretical framework of melodies. Professional facilitators also consulted with participants and introduced them to career paths they can opt for when pursuing music professionally.
A novel initiative introduced by AKYSBP, the goal was to encourage participants to acquire formal knowledge, from an elite academic programme founded at an honoured art school in Pakistan, pertaining to music. Mr. Azam Jamal, Head of NCA, Rawalpindi visited the camp and congratulated AKYSBP for promoting music and inspiring the cohort to learn in a skilled and inclusive environment. Lastly, he added that NCA would be pleased to collaborate with AKYSBP in future ventures.
Mr. Shamez Mukhi, Chairman AKYSBP, conveyed his gratitude to the leadership and faculty of NCA and intimated the vision of AKYSBP to promote the arts. He stated alliances with institutions like NCA play a major role in accomplishing that vision. Moreover, he discussed the interest of AKDN in preserving music by cherishing the talented individuals who cultivate our musical heritage and awarding them with the Aga Khan Music Award. Lastly, Chairman AKYSBP applauded the volunteers who managed the camp and elite musicians, NCA graduates, for enriching the event.
