VZCZCXRO7734
RR RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK
DE RUEHKU #2093/01 1561421
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 051421Z JUN 06
FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4926
INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE

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 
------- 
 
¶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 
----------------------------------- 
 
¶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 
-------------------- 
 
¶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 
------------------------------ 
 
¶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 
------------------- 
 
¶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 
---------------------------------- 
 
¶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 
------------------------ 
 
¶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 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
¶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 
------------ 
 
¶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