Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation

Musical Evenings

We bring high art to everyone

Believing in the deep connection between music and the human spirit, and in its profound emotional and cultural impact, the Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation launched its Music Program in 2014. The program includes: Monthly musical evenings held at the Foundation, providing a platform that highlights emerging Jordanian talents. These concerts take place on the last Thursday of each month. Annual musical events that host renowned Arab and international artists, introducing audiences to global musical experiences, particularly at the historic Odeon Theatre in downtown Amman. Special performances across Jordan’s governorates, organized as part of the Jabal Amman Cultural Week and Shoman Cultural Days. Driven by the Foundation’s belief that art should be accessible to all, all performances are free of charge.

Monthly Musical Evenings

Through these evenings, the program primarily highlights young talents, authentic musical experiences, and outstanding new projects. It also dedicates special events to celebrating musical heritage and introducing audiences to diverse musical genres.

Each year, a special day is dedicated to celebrating musical instruments that hold a significant place in Arab music—such as Oud Day and Qanun Day. The program also honors pioneers of Arab music through evenings where they present their works and explore various musical styles. Among those celebrated are Talal Abu Al-Ragheb, Hassan Al-Faqeer, Ayman Tayseer, and Charbel Rouhana.

Sound and Colour Evenings

“Sound and Color” is a series of summer musical evenings organized by the Foundation in the open-air space atop Jabal Amman (at the rooftop of the Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation). Visual arts also play a significant role in these events, as they feature art exhibitions showcasing selected works from the Foundation’s collection alongside a live painting space. During Sound and Color, different art forms beautifully intertwine, highlighting pieces from the Foundation’s fine art collection by prominent artists such as Marwan Kassab-Bashi, George Bahgoury, and Mohammad Jalous.

Explore the Foundation’s Art Collection.

Musical Evenings in Downtown Amman

Prominent Arab and international musicians and artists are celebrated through annual events held over two or three days at the Odeon Theatre in downtown Amman, during June or July each year. These events also encourage collaboration between visiting artists and Jordanian musicians, fostering cultural exchange and creative dialogue.

The event features several concerts where local and international artists share the stage, encouraging the exchange of musical expertise and collaboration. It also includes orchestral performances that give independent and distinguished musicians the opportunity to perform solo pieces accompanied by the orchestra—showcasing their talents within a comprehensive and inspiring artistic framework.

Musical Evenings within the Abdul Hameed Shoman Cultural Days

Musical evenings are an integral part of the Shoman Cultural Days, serving as the opening, closing, or sometimes both the opening and closing events of the festival’s activities.

The musical evenings within the Shoman Cultural Days are designed with cultural sensitivities of each region in mind. They often aim to offer a rich musical feast through orchestral performances that include local participation whenever possible. These events may also feature popular and community-based performances, such as Beit Al-Ruwad at the Jara Theatre during Jabal Amman Cultural Week, an opening concert by the Simsimiyya Band preceding Tareq Al Jundi’s performance in Aqaba, or children’s choir performances during the Cultural Days in Irbid and other cities.