DETROIT — After spending eight centuries in the Iberian Peninsula, Arabs left a long-lasting mark on European music. Traces of this influence may be heard on our radios today. But the Michigan Arab Orchestra did not have to conquer Spain to spread the Arabic music tradition. The orchestra is teaching Arabic music at Detroit’s Woodward Academy.

Titled, “Building Bridges through Music,” the MAO after-school music program started in September, after the orchestra received a $100,000 grant from the Knight Foundation.

This grant was part of $2.1 million that was distributed by the Knight Foundation to 56 groups of artists in Detroit to finance their ideas.

However, the orchestra does not get to use all of the money from the grant, until it raises $100,000 on its own.

“It is a matching grant,” explained MAO board member Tina Farhat. “We have to receive matching donations to get all the money from the grant.” 

Farhat thanked the Knight Foundation, adding that the orchestra was “honored” to receive the grant. 

“No matter what happens, financially or socially, art remains a wonderful, needed layer of beauty and self-expression, especially in a city like Detroit” she said.

The orchestra’s music director Michael Ibrahim said the program is going well and students are “very interested, intrigued and excited.” 

Students are still learning some songs and the fundamentals of music. Later in the program, they will be taught how to play Arab musical instruments, such as the oud and nay.

“The program supplements the lack of music education in the school, due to low funds,” he said.

The course, which has more than 30 students, is free of charge; it is fully funded by the grant. 

Ibrahim said that the MAO aims to create its own full-time school for Arabic music in Detroit in the future.

“We are now setting a foothold in the City, but we are looking to expand,” he said.

The orchestra started in 2009 as a “takht,” a small music group, comprised of traditional Arab instruments. 

As the ensemble grew, the MAO had its first full season in 2011. Last year, the orchestra performed five concerts; four in Michigan and one in Washington DC, playing classical Arabic music.

“The audience has been successfully growing,” Ibrahim said, adding that the DC concert was sold out and attended by political activist Ralph Nader. “A lot of young people are coming out to see us, too. There’s a misconception that classical music does not draw a young audience.”

He said one of the goals of the orchestra is to preserve the rich heritage of Arabic music.

“To preserve that heritage and fill the cultural void, you have to perform,” he explained. “We want to be a world class orchestra and pass the tradition to the next generation, regardless of who they are.”

Ibrahim added that the orchestra’s work is for everybody, not just Arab Americans. He stressed the inclusive nature of music, which transcends cultural and ethnic boundaries.

“For example, Arabs disagree on everything, except music,” he said jokingly.

He referred to a quote by American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow to make his point — “Music is the universal language of mankind.”

The music director voiced his appreciation to Detroit, as a hub for the arts. 

“Simply, this is our community. Everybody is working together. We are a Detroit-based organization that covers Metro Detroit, including Dearborn,” he said. “We want to open up to everybody, and Detroit is the place to do it because of its central location. Detroit is a national landmark.”

Ibrahim said the orchestra does not play at private events, but MAO musicians can be contracted individually for private gatherings.

To contact the MAO, or donate to the orchestra, email info@michiganaraborchestra.org, or call 586-354-1576.