Aloula–Saudi Music Hub Partnership Brings New Opportunities for Young Musicians
In a rehearsal room in Jeddah, a powerful sound is rising. It’s the sound of 75 young voices, aged 9 to 18, blending in harmony, diligently learning the notes of the Saudi national anthem, Aash Al-Maleek. This chorus represents more than a music class; it is the heart of a groundbreaking partnership between the nonprofit Aloula and the Saudi Music Hub, designed to place children at the very center of the Kingdom’s cultural transformation.
” The Kingdom is living a beautiful cultural moment right now,” explains Abir Abusulayman, CEO of Aloula, “and we didn’t want our children to watch it from the sidelines; we wanted them to be part of it.”
This two-month choral initiative, launched in November, is one of the first of its kind led by a nonprofit in Saudi Arabia. For three days each week, participants immerse themselves in vocal training, focusing on technique, listening, and the unique discipline of ensemble performance. The program culminates in a formal choral performance, but its true goal extends far beyond the final note.
Building More Than Vocal Range
At its core, this initiative is about cultivating confidence and a sense of belonging through creative expression.
“Music opens something special inside a child,” says Abusulayman. “It teaches them to listen, to express themselves, to work as a team, and to trust their own voice.” The benefits she outlines are multifaceted: enhanced academic focus and memory, strengthened social skills through collaboration, and a profound personal pride that comes from being part of something larger than oneself.
For vocal instructor Abeer Ibrahim, working with the children has been an inspiring journey. “I discovered wonderful talents and voices despite their young age,” she shares. “That small voice gave me a very powerful feeling.” She highlights the special significance of their repertoire, noting that performing the national anthem “instills in children a deep sense of belonging and pride in their country and culture.”
A Transformative Experience for Young Talent
The impact resonates clearly with the young participants. Fourteen-year-old Nawaf Al-Qahtani, whom Ibrahim identifies as one of the program’s standout voices, describes the experience as transformative. “I learned how to control my vocal range, how to sing properly, how to face an audience,” he says, reflecting a growth in skill and self-assurance that will serve him long after the program ends.
A Collaborative Model for the Future
This choral program is a vibrant example of Aloula’s wider mission to strengthen children’s creative and social skills, sitting alongside its robotics and community exploration activities. It also showcases the vital role of the Saudi Music Hub, a Ministry of Culture institution dedicated to developing local musical talent across the Kingdom.
Ultimately, this partnership stands as a powerful model. It demonstrates how strategic collaboration between cultural and social organizations can create unprecedented opportunities for young people. By giving them a stage, a voice, and a sense of proud participation, initiatives like this are not just teaching music—they are helping to compose the future of a nation, one young voice at a time.
Also Read:
Israeli Reservist Hits Palestinian Man During Prayer in the West Bank
Why Lebanon’s Financial Gap Draft Law Is Facing Opposition from Major Parties
