Canadian University Dubai EnSEmble, UAE’s first Choir for People of Determination, has been invited to perform at the 11^th World Choir Games taking place in Belgium in July 2020, according to Canadian University Dubai (CUD), founder and sponsor of the choir.

The World Choir Games, launched in 2000, is the world’s largest international choir festival held every two years on different continents. Based on Olympic ideals that aim to peacefully unify people and nations through music in a music competition, the event aims to inspire people to experience the power of interaction by singing together. The 2018 World Choir Games held in South Africa, featuring choirs from 85 countries.

The announcement caps a highly successful year for Canadian University Dubai EnSEmble, highlighted by acclaimed performances at two major events – Opening Ceremony of the Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi on March 14 2019 and a stunning concert at Dubai Opera on April 19 2019 which also featured Arab Idol Mohamed Assaf, to mark autism month.

The zestful members of the choir – young boys and girls with different physical and mental disabilities—held a year-end get-together at the Canadian University Dubai auditorium recently to celebrate their achievements through music and dance performances, in the presence of parents and university officials.

Dr. Rami El Khatib, Dean of Student Affairs, CUD, applauded the Dubai EnSEmble choir for eloquently raising their voices to create awareness of differently abled people and the need for inclusion. The Dean shared that Canadian University Dubai has been widely praised locally and internationally for supporting inclusion through the performances of Canadian University Dubai EnSEmble.

Rivaan Mager, Music Coordinator at CUD and conductor of Canadian University Dubai EnSEmble, complimented the choir members and parents for taking the choir to the next level, and urged them to work harder to raise the banner of inclusion even higher. Mr. Mager said the Special Olympics and the Dubai Opera concert demonstrated that Canadian University Dubai EnSEmble was capable of greater achievements, and thanked Canadian University Dubai for its unstinted support.

The EnSEmble team presented tokens of appreciation to CUD officials in recognition of their contribution to the success of the concert at Dubai Opera.

In a speech echoing the emotions of the choir members, Jonathan D’Silva, one of the determined children, admitted Canadian University Dubai EnSEmble has brought a ‘breath of fresh air’ into their lives, by introducing them to the unifying and uplifting power of music.

“None of us ever dreamed we could climb such heights. We now feel proud, confident and re-energized. The world may be harsh or cruel at times, but as long as we have music, we can rise above the ordinary, and give voice to our feelings and hurts,” he added.

The get-together witnessed members of the choir staging individual performances to loud cheers and applauses. The audience excitedly watched diverse performances ranging from singing, both to back tracks and live instruments, to choreographed dancing, to surprise acts, and more.

The event also featured a guest performer: renowned Nigerian opera singer Blessing Ulumna, an award-winning Coloratura Soprano Soloist, who mesmerized the audiences with her unique voice and spectacular singing.

A photo booth was set up outside the auditorium to enable the choir members to pose for photographs in pop singers’ costumes and hairdo, holding toy musical instruments and microphones.

Canadian University Dubai EnSEmble is currently taking a summer break, and will resume regular practices and performances from September onwards. The choir members are hoping to perform in Belgium next year.