Music Crossing Borders: The Duke Chorale and Tunisia88 In Concert
Tunisia88 is a nationwide program that supports extracurricular music clubs for high school students. Founded in 2016, Tunisia88 now has a network of over 4000 program alumni.
On November 9, strains of music from across North Africa, West Africa and the Middle East will fill Baldwin Auditorium as the Duke Chorale hosts Tunisia88 Alumni Choir in a joint concert celebrating peace and freedom.
This is Tunisia88 Alumni Choir’s first tour in the United States, and the performance at Duke is the final stop before they return home. “This collaboration was suggested by Duke alumna Veronica Bulgari, who is friends with the leader of Tunisia88,” said Allan Friedman, director of the Duke Chorale. “She hoped the Music Department could host the choir while they’re in this country.”
Tunisia88 is part of 88 International, a music program founded in 2015 by renowned pianist Kimball Gallagher that has forged partnerships within a number of countries to create music clubs and leadership opportunities for young people. Since 2016, 88 International has worked with a Tunisian NGO and the Ministry of Education to create almost 600 music clubs in public high schools across Tunisia.
Raising voices for freedom and peace
Artistic Director Kimball Gallagher and Choir Director Nourelhouda Koubaa will be on hand November 9, leading the Tunisia88 Alumni Choir in a performance of music from Tunisia and other parts of Africa, as well as some French and American pieces. The Duke Chorale will perform four pieces about raising voices for freedom and peace, including music from the West Bank, Israel and America.
“We also discussed repertoire and found three pieces that the two groups will sing together, including a Tunisian song,” said Friedman.
Members of Judea Reform Congregation will host members of the Tunisia88 Alumni Choir while they are in Durham as a gesture of hospitality and connection.
A meaningful experience through music
Friedman hopes the concert, which is co-sponsored by the Provost's Initiative on the Middle East, will be a meaningful experience for both the members of the Duke Chorale and the audience.
“The Chorale is a beautifully diverse choir consisting of students from all over the United States and many other countries,” he said. “We’re excited to get a chance to meet other young choral singers and learn more about Tunisian music and the Arabic language.
“The audience will experience great music from a variety of cultures, underscoring the power of music to unite people and show us how much we have in common.”
The Duke Chorale and Tunisia88
Sunday, November 9
4 pm, Baldwin Auditorium
Admission is free
