The Music Affairs Centre at the Ministry of Culture continues to develop its “Maqam” Choir, bringing together local vocal talent in a distinctive musical project that explores the expressive potential of the human voice while presenting Arab musical heritage through a contemporary ensemble experience.
Rooted in the maqam, a defining element of Arab musical identity, the project seeks to reinterpret songs from across the Arab world through vocal harmony, rhythmic expression and carefully structured ensemble performance.
Khalid al-Salem, Director of the Music Affairs Centre, said the project reflects the Centre’s commitment to discovering vocal talent in Qatar and giving singers genuine opportunities to develop their abilities within a professional ensemble.
“The past period has revealed voices with considerable potential and skills that deserve greater opportunities for artistic development and experience,” al-Salem said.
He explained that “Maqam” was conceived not as a conventional choir, but as a project with its own artistic identity, centred primarily on a cappella performance, in which the human voice itself creates melody, rhythm and harmony.
The ensemble is structured around four vocal parts, each representing a different range, which come together to form a unified musical texture.
Al-Salem said the choice of the name “Maqam” was directly linked to the project’s musical concept.
“We chose the name because the project presents Arab songs rooted in the maqam, one of the central elements of Arab music and its sonic identity. The name is therefore part of the project’s artistic substance, rather than simply a title,” he said.
While a cappella remains central to the choir’s identity, “Maqam” can also include works that combine instrumental music with ensemble singing. This flexibility allows the choir to explore a broader repertoire and reinterpret musical works through different vocal arrangements.
Al-Salem noted that this form of choral performance remains relatively uncommon in the Arab world and the Gulf, giving “Maqam” a distinctive place within the regional musical landscape.
The choir’s repertoire draws on musical heritage from across the Arab world, reflecting the diversity of its melodies, maqamat, rhythms and musical traditions. Rather than merely reproducing familiar songs, the project seeks to preserve their identity while presenting them through a different collective vocal language.
“Arab musical heritage is rich and diverse. Every region has its own colour and musical memory. We want that diversity to be present in the choir and to allow audiences to move, through its voices, across different landscapes of Arab music,” al-Salem said.
The project is open to talent from across the community, including citizens and residents, enabling the Centre to identify promising voices and develop them within a professional framework.
“We have succeeded in forming an ensemble that meets the artistic requirements of a cappella choir and reflects the vocal talent present in the country,” al-Salem said.
He added that “Maqam” forms part of the Music Affairs Centre’s wider role in supporting talent and creating new opportunities for musical practice, with sustained investment in vocal development contributing to a broader and more diverse music scene.
After its training and preparation period, the choir is now preparing to enter a new phase of its artistic journey, giving audiences a closer opportunity to discover the project and experience the results of its work.
