DETROIT — Come celebrate the Holiday season with the National Arab Orchestra (NAO) at its first annual “Holiday Collage” concert featuring the NAO Takht Ensemble along with members of the Toledo Symphony Orchestra.

The “Takht” is a chamber ensemble and was considered the primary one in the Arab world, prior to WWI.

The takht consists of the oud (Arab lute), qanun (a stringed instrument similar to a harp or zither), violin, nay (Arab reed flute), riqq (Arab tambourine), tabla (Arab goblet drum) and bass.

“The entire congregation of St. Elias looks forward to the National Arab Orchestra’s first annual Christmas Concert with the members of the Toledo Symphony,” said Rev. Fr. Ayman Kfouf of St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Church in Toledo.

Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased online at nationalaraborchestra.com or by calling 440-289-8321.

Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Fellowship Matters and the Good Samaritans of St. Elias.

The NAO is non-profit  that celebrates Arab heritage and its music through educational outreach and performance.

Founded in 2009 and established in 2010, the orchestra is home to the National Arab Orchestra Takht Ensemble (NAOTE), and the National Arab Orchestra Community Choir (NAOCC).

The NAO is dedicated to preserving and performing the classical and contemporary traditions of Arab music and provides opportunities that will bridge social and cultural barriers through music.

The Orchestra’s “home base” is Detroit’s Music Hall.