PROGRAM EVALUATION: SAPPHIRE TRIO CHARMS KUWAITIS WITH

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 002093

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR ECA/PE/C/CU (DSCHUMAN),ECA/A/L (JCONNERLEY),AND NEA/PPD
(CWHITTLESEY, DBENZE)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SCUL KPAO OEXC XF KU
SUBJECT: PROGRAM EVALUATION: SAPPHIRE TRIO CHARMS KUWAITIS WITH
"RHAPSODY IN BLUE"


Summary
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1. GPRA FY06Q3: Summary: The Sapphire Trio, an American chamber
music group, conducted its first tour of Kuwait on May 20 and 21,
where the musicians conducted a number of performances and teaching
workshops. The trio demonstrated their virtuoso musical skills and
unique repertoire of classical and modern American compositions for
the piano, violin, and clarinet to diverse audiences of students,
musicians, music teachers, and the Kuwaiti public. They performed
for 483 Kuwaitis in four performances over two days and enjoyed
extensive, positive media coverage. End Summary.

American Values and Music Education
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2. The goal of the Sapphire Trio's visit was to provide insight
into American society and values by exposing a variety of Kuwaiti
audiences to American chamber music and musicians, an uncommon
opportunity in Kuwait. This exceptional performing arts program
also demonstrated support for music education and music educators in
Kuwait, which are confronting intense ultraconservative criticism.

Music under Pressure
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3. The Sapphire Trio, an American chamber music group, conducted
its first tour of Kuwait on May 20 and 21, where the musicians
conducted a number of performances and teaching workshops. The trio
exhibited their virtuoso musical skills and singular repertoire of
classical and modern American compositions for the piano, violin,
and clarinet before diverse audiences of students, musicians, music
teachers, and the Kuwaiti public. Their visit coincided with
increasing attacks in the media and the school system by
conservative Islamists against arts and music education in Kuwait.
The two-day program included riveting performances at the annual
International Music Festival, hosted by Kuwait's National Council of
Culture, Arts and Letters, and at the U.S. Embassy, hosted by the
Ambassador for participants in Embassy-sponsored educational and
exchange programs for non-elite youth. The ensemble also conducted
music workshops at the American School of Kuwait and Public
Authority of Applied Education and Training (PAAET).

Breaking Stereotypes for Women
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4. Comprised of three female professional musicians who formed the
group in 1998, Margaret Nichols Baldridge (Violin),Jody Graves
(Piano),and Maxine Ramey (Clarinet),the Sapphire Trio deftly
performed newly-created works for clarinet, violin, and piano. Dr.
Baldridge and Dr. Ramey are music professors at the University of
Montana in Missoula, Montana, and Dr. Graves is a music professor at
Eastern Washington University in Cheney, Washington. These active
soloists and chamber musicians, who regularly perform throughout the
U.S. and abroad, astonished Kuwaiti audiences with their artistry.

A Unique Experience
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5. The American School of Kuwait's 93 music students were
electrified by the all-female ensemble's performance on May 20.
That evening, the group impressed viewers as the United States'
representatives at the International Music Festival, organized by
Kuwait's National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters. A near
capacity crowd of 220 filled the National Council's theater to hear
the group's renditions of "Rhapsody in Blue" and other well-known
American compositions. Following the performance, a young Kuwaiti
woman stated, "We are so honored that you are here. We don't get to
see things like this."

Transformation: Gershwin Meets Oud
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6. On May 21, the trio performed at the Public Authority for
Applied Education and Training (PAAET),Kuwait's largest institution
of higher education that serves over 20,000 Kuwaiti students. The
concert segued into a jam session with talented Kuwaiti musicians
Dr. Rashed Juma (violinist) and Fawzi Al-Lingawi (oud),joined by
Romanian pan-flute player Nikolai Fuiculit. The impromptu
demonstration of the unifying force of music across diverse cultures
thrilled the 48 Kuwaiti music students in attendance. The trio's
tour concluded with a presentation for 123 English Access
Microscholarship students, parents and teachers at a rare visit to
the Embassy. The high school English students pelted the trio with
numerous questions. "Your music gives me hope," raved a young
scarf-clad woman who claimed it was the first time she had heard
classical music. Another young student translated for his mother,
who he says never listens to music. He quoted her as saying, in
Arabic, "this performance rocked!"

KUWAIT 00002093 002 OF 002



Extensive Media Coverage
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7. The Trio achieved extensive positive coverage in the Kuwaiti
media. Their performances were covered by Kuwait TV and positive
coverage spanned three days in the following Kuwaiti newspapers:
05/22/06
Al-Qabas, p.36, 1/8 page, 1 photo, circ. 65,000, Arabic
Al-Watan, p. 43, 1/8 page, 1 photo, circ. 65,000, Arabic
Al-Seyassah, p. 31, 1/8 page, 1 photo, circ. 45,000, -Arabic
Al-Anba, p. 18, 1/4 page, 3 photos, circ. 40,000, Arabic
05/23/06
Kuwait Times, p. 7, 1/8 page, 1 photo, circ. 35,000, English
05/24/06
The Daily Star, p. 3, 1/8 page, circ. 15,000, English
Al-Rai Al-Aam, p. 24, 1/4 page, 3 photos, circ. 70,000, Arabic

Excellent Results in Reaching Youth Audiences
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8. The Embassy thanks Public Affairs Manama for facilitating the
Sapphire Trio's visit to Kuwait. The group was outstanding, with
surprisingly positive results in reaching audiences who had never
before experienced chamber music. Attendees, particularly students
from the English Access program and PAAET, as well as music festival
guests, were clearly moved by their sterling performances and
winning manner, which sparked an interest in a new kind of music for
many of these young people. We highly recommend these talented
musicians to Embassies seeking to engage both sophisticated
listeners and youth audiences.

Cost Sharing
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9. Embassy Public Affairs used program funds in support of this
Performing Arts Initiative in cooperation with Manama Public Affairs
to cover international airfare and on-the-ground expenses. Kuwait's
National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters, the Music Department
at the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training, and the
American School of Kuwait generously provided venues free of
charge.

TUELLER