American Consul General Hosts Reception for the Fourth Season of “Ghaneeha” Youth Singing Competition

For Immediate Release | January 17, 2013

American Consul General Michael A. Ratney hosted a reception at his residence on January 17 to welcome the fourth season of the Ghaneeha! singing competition for talented, young Palestinian vocalists. The Consulate General is partnering with Dar Al-Kalima College for this year’s Ghaneeha! competition, and the program will be officially launched later this month.

The reception included a brief concert performed by former contestants from Ghaneeha! as well as musicians from Dar Al-Kalima College, and featured Western and Arabic instrumental and vocal music by well-known musicians ranging from Um Kalthoum to Doris Day. The event sought to encourage Palestinians to participate in Ghaneeha! in the coming months and showcase their vocal music talent, as well as to celebrate Palestinians’ rich musical heritage.   

Consul General Ratney said, “The previous seasons of Ghaneeha! have been an excellent way to identify talented young musicians and celebrate Palestinians’ rich musical heritage. But Ghaneeha! is more than a singing competition: it is a tool to help empower Palestinian young people, focused as much on education and training as it is on competition. It is a program that has helped participants build their confidence as leaders and performers, encouraged them to proudly represent their communities on stage, and establish lasting friendships with other contestants. I look forward to the upcoming season and hearing about the success stories.”

This year’s Ghaneeha! program will identify and train Palestinian singers and provide them the opportunity to work with American vocal coaches to develop their skills. One contestant will have the chance the win a full-scholarship to study music performance at Dar Al-Kalima.

The fourth season of Ghaneeha! will be launched on January 29 in Bethlehem, and will immediately be followed by auditions throughout the West Bank. Palestinians who are interested in competing are encouraged to visit the American Consulate General’s Facebook page (USConGenJerusalem) or the Dar Al-Kalima Facebook page (ghaneeha4) for additional details.

For more information please contact the Consulate General Press Office at 02-622-6909 or Information Assistant Hassna Dajani at 054-6620257.