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Students embrace new rhythms at Saudi music schools

Published

4 years ago

2022/07/24

Saudi businessman Ahmed Abdullah watches intently as his seven-year-old daughter Yasmine practises keyboard scales at a Riyadh music school, an opportunity he could only dream about when he was young. Saudi Arabia’s rulers have relaxed some social restrictions after decades of adhering to a rigid interpretation of Islam, enforced by the kingdom’s religious police, that placed severe limits on social activities including group music lessons.

“Now we are thinking about the next generation and investing in it,” Abdullah said.

Previously those who could afford it hired music tutors to come to their homes, while the rest struggled to find any instruction at all. But as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the country’s de facto ruler, seeks to expand entertainment options for citizens, music has become a bigger part of daily life, and music schools are popping up in major cities.

At least five such schools have opened over the past few years in the capital Riyadh and Jeddah, the kingdom’s second city on the Red Sea coast, serving an enthusiastic clientele of children and some adults.

Yasmine’s class, at the Yamaha Music Centre, meets every Saturday for half an hour, with their Egyptian instructor running students through keyboard drills under a sign reading “Music for All”.

The session is bittersweet for her father, Abdullah, who thrills at his daughter’s enthusiasm even as it reminds him of “things I had no chance of achieving in my childhood”.

– Notes of change –

Music has been a feature of the dramatic social reforms ushered in by Prince Mohammed, who became first in line to the throne five years ago.

For decades the country was decidedly off the beaten path of most touring artists but in recent years some of the world’s biggest stars, including Justin Bieber and K-pop juggernaut BTS, have performed in the kingdom.

These marquee events have spurred allegations of complicity in a transparent bid to whitewash the kingdom’s grim human rights record.

But there is little question that many young, entertainment-starved Saudis are grateful for the shows.

Last December more than 700,000 revellers flocked to the MDLBeast Soundstorm music festival in Riyadh, officials said, for four days of performances including a set by superstar French DJ David Guetta.

Daily life, too, has become more melodious, with restaurants and cafes staging live acts or blasting recordings through speakers — some even during prayer time, when in the past they would have been forced to close. Several Saudis who are now trying to develop their own musical chops described the transformation as a boon to their mental health.

Wejdan Hajji, a 28-year-old employee at a firm selling medical supplies, said she once struggled to teach herself guitar by watching YouTube videos, lamenting that “if I made a mistake, there was no one to correct me”.

Now she pays 940 Saudi riyals (around $250) each month for classes with a Ukrainian teacher at the Yamaha Music Centre.

“I didn’t know anything, but now I’ve learned the basics,” she said.

“The one-hour session clears my mind… My personality has changed, and I’m calmer.”

– A growing market –

Such benefits could soon extend to many more young Saudis. In 2020 the kingdom established a “Music Authority” under its culture ministry which grants licenses to music schools and provides backing to young talents eager to pursue careers in the music industry. Some 100 private schools nationwide have included a music component in their curricula during the current academic year, according to an official tally.

In May, the authority launched a “Music Culture Programme” to develop the skills of public school students as well. As those initiatives get off the ground, the specialised music schools continue to do brisk business. One recent afternoon at the “House of Music” school in northern Riyadh, an instructor supervised five toddlers as they swayed to the sound of lullabies playing on a speaker.

The school opened in 2019 and has 300 students of all ages who come for lessons in rooms adorned with posters of performers like Bob Marley and Lebanese singer Fairuz.

“There is a good acceptance of the services we provide so far,” said the school’s Venezuelan director, Cesar Mora, adding that the school has a second branch in the works.

“There is a growing music-loving community and market.”

Walid Mahmoud, a 37-year-old Sudanese resident of Riyadh, began coming to the school so his young daughters could take lessons on the oud, a stringed instrument popular in the region.

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Heat index likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and Eastern provinces and Monaragala district

Published

9 hours ago

2026/04/12

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre at 3.30 p.m. on 11 April 2026, valid for 12 April 2026

The Heat index, the temperature felt on the human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and Eastern provinces and Monaragala district.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED

Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note: In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.

Latest News

Sun directly overhead Cheddikulam, Kebithigollewa, Gomarankadawala and Nilaveli about 12:11 noon. today [12]

Published

10 hours ago

2026/04/12

Priyan

On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 05th to 15th of April in this year.

The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (12th) are Cheddikulam, Kebithigollewa, Gomarankadawala and Nilaveli about 12:11 noon.

News

CEB orders temporary shutdown of large rooftop solar systems

Published

10 hours ago

2026/04/12

Thilina Walpola

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has directed owners of large-scale rooftop solar systems to temporarily disconnect their installations for a 10-day period beginning from Friday (April 10), citing growing concerns over grid stability amid low electricity demand and high solar generation.

The directive applies to rooftop solar systems exceeding 300 kW capacity, which are required to remain switched off until April 20. The move coincides with the extended holiday season, during which national electricity demand typically declines, alongside prevailing sunny weather conditions that significantly increase solar output.

Senior electrical engineers told The Island that the decision, though exceptional, was necessitated by operational risks posed to the national grid.

“We are seeing a pronounced imbalance between supply and demand,” a senior CEB system control engineer said. “With industries and commercial establishments operating at reduced levels during the holidays, demand drops. At the same time, solar generation remains high, creating excess power that the grid struggles to absorb.”

He explained that such imbalances could lead to fluctuations in system frequency, potentially threatening the stability of the grid. “If generation exceeds demand, frequency rises beyond acceptable limits.

This can trigger automatic protection mechanisms or, in extreme cases, lead to partial outages.”Another senior engineer attached to the transmission division noted that managing distributed solar generation remains a technical challenge.

“Unlike conventional power plants, rooftop solar systems are not centrally dispatchable. We cannot directly control their output in real time. This limits our ability to balance the system during periods of excess generation,” he said.

He added that the country’s grid infrastructure is still adapting to the rapid growth of renewable energy. “We lack sufficient large-scale battery storage and advanced grid management systems to effectively handle these fluctuations. Until such capabilities are enhanced, temporary curtailment becomes necessary.”

Engineers also pointed out that conventional thermal plants cannot be abruptly shut down or adjusted to compensate for sudden surges in solar generation.

“These plants require minimum stable operating levels. When solar floods the grid during low demand, it creates operational constraints that are not easy to manage,” one official said.

The CEB, in its statement, expressed appreciation for the cooperation of solar system owners affected by the measure, stressing that it is a short-term intervention aimed at ensuring uninterrupted and stable electricity supply across the country.

Energy experts say the development underscores the urgent need for grid modernization, including investment in battery energy storage systems, smart grid technologies, and improved demand-side management.

“This is part of the transition challenge,” an independent analyst noted. “As solar penetration increases, the grid must evolve to become more flexible. Otherwise, curtailment will remain a recurring necessity.”

Despite the temporary shutdown, CEB engineers reaffirmed their commitment to expanding renewable energy.

“Solar power is a key pillar of Sri Lanka’s future energy mix,” a senior engineer said. “But integration must be carefully managed. Grid stability cannot be compromised.”

The temporary disconnection order, which took effect yesterday, marks a critical moment in Sri Lanka’s energy transition—highlighting both the progress made in renewable energy adoption and the technical hurdles that remain.

By Ifham Nizam