Students embrace new rhythms at Saudi music schools - in pictures

Relaxing of social restrictions strikes right note for the musically inclined in Saudi Arabia

Five music schools have opened over the past few years in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh and the kingdom's second city on the Red Sea coast, Jeddah, serving an enthusiastic clientele of musical children and adults, such as the Riyadh Music School. All photos: AFP

Authorities in Saudi Arabia have recently relaxed some social restrictions, which were enforced by the kingdom's religious police and placed severe limits on social activities including group music lessons. All photos: AFP

Wejdan Hajji, a 28-year-old employee at a firm selling medical supplies, attends a guitar class at the Yamaha Music Centre in Saudia Arabia's capital Riyadh on June 11, 2022. - Saudi Arabia's rulers have recently relaxed some social restrictions after decades of adhering to a rigid interpretation of Islam, enforced by the kingdom's religious police and placing severe limits on social activities including group musical lesson. (Photo by Fayez Nureldine / AFP)

Now she pays 940 Saudi riyals (about $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 says.

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

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