Since the beginning of this year the Ras Beirut Institute of Music and Painting has continued untiringly to invigorate and strengthen its
musical ensembles, quite apart from the expansion of its work and the heavy demand for lessons on all the instruments.
The "Amateurs' Ensemble," which
comprises a serviceable formation of amateur musicians and students, concerns itself with acquainting the institutes of the rising generation
and Lebanese circles with the usefulness of music in homes and among families.
The zeal of Mr. Sami Salibi, owner and director of the institute, in this cause runs high and knows no bounds: all his time and all his
energy are directed toward serving the institute, and toward the utmost sacrifice in the cause of a comprehensive musical renaissance that will seep into every home,
Lebanese and non-Lebanese alike, so that music is counted not merely a luxury but a necessity for the harmony of the members
of a family and their agreement in working toward a single artistic, musical aim.
Besides the large classical ensemble, Mr. Salibi has founded the "Nay Ensemble" — there are four kinds of this instrument, and his students, boys and girls, play them with skill, within a period not exceeding three months!
The classical amateurs' ensemble at the Ras Beirut Institute of Music and Painting, with Mr. Sami Salibi seen conducting the ensemble
The "Nay Ensemble," with Mr. Salibi holding the largest nay!
Most delightful indeed was the grand evening of song held by the Young Muslim Women's Association in the Rivoli Hall on Friday night, May 18 last, under the patronage of His Excellency the President of the Republic.
The Lebanese public has grown used to watching for the annual dates of these parties, in view of the dazzling success they have been accustomed to winning... This year numerous artistic elements joined hands to produce the party in a delightful frame, and the most prominent mainstay of the party was that merry personality, Mr. Najib Hankash, who kept surprising the audience with his charming jokes, and was greeted and sent off in storms of applause. So too it was with the amusing duo "Shamil and Mar'i."
The comic scenes were interspersed as well with turns of Lebanese song that left the loveliest impression on the soul.
The president of the Young Muslim Women, Mrs. Habiba Yakan, and her fellow members render society a service beyond compare; their party met with great success, and its proceeds will be spent on the cultural and humanitarian projects with which the association concerns itself.