I'd like to donate one of Mike's apprentice ouds to a refugee who could use an instrument.
Please let me know if you know an oudi in need. All I ask is that the recipient be a refugee or asylee with a US shipping address. I'll work with Mike
to have the instrument shipped directly.
This is nothing more than a gesture of welcome from an American who comes from a family of immigrants. I hope this oud gives comfort and pleasure to
people starting a new life in a new country, and I know the music that gets played on it will make the world a better place for all of us.Mike - 12-13-2015 at 06:24 PM
What an incredibly kind gesture Todd! Guys like you are what truly make this forum special.conroystoptime - 12-14-2015 at 06:49 AM
This is a great idea. I also have an oud I would like to donate, if this yields any results. I will put on a new set of strings and ship at my own
expense.SamirCanada - 12-14-2015 at 07:02 AM
Fantastic idea, we will be receiving 25,000 refuges in Canada in the next 2-3 months.
I will try to reach out to these groups who are facilitating their settlement to see if there is a demand for a oud. Eric Stern Music - 12-14-2015 at 11:18 AM
I think this is absolutely splendid. If it all right with either gentleman who are donating ouds I would like to contribute a little to the shipping
cost of one of them. I don't have much, but maybe $40-$50? Perhaps to whichever would be going to Canada, as that might cost a little more? Once it's
ready to go, contact me and I will paypal the money over to you. There are many things one should not be without: Food, clothing, shelter,
hospitality, good will and welcoming arms. And certainly an oud. Mike - 12-14-2015 at 11:39 AM
You guys are awesome! This really is making my day.
It really is a great time of year, and you guys are all making it even better.
CheersBrian Prunka - 12-14-2015 at 02:12 PM
This is a wonderful gesture. I just spoke with a friend who arrived recently from Syria, a fantastic violinist, to see if he knew of a musician who
was in need. He said he would ask around the community to see if some talented person had been unable to bring an instrument with them. tkmasuda - 12-14-2015 at 07:54 PM
That would be great, Brian, thanks.
Syrian refugees are in the news these days, but I'd be glad to send it to any refugee in the US who needs an oud. Samir, I know Canada's accepting a
lot of Syrians (I think your PM is standing at the airport with jars of maple syrup and shots of Crown Royal), but if it's all the same, I'd like to
keep this oud in the US where a refugee's overall welcome is less certain.
It's heartening to see support for oud donations. It's a small thing, but timely, appropriate to the group, and hopefully something with social
resonance.
Musing on the side, I wonder if Canada will gain enough know-how and skilled labor to start an oud factory? Jody Stecher - 12-14-2015 at 09:12 PM
Musing on the side, I wonder if Canada will gain enough know-how and skilled labor to start an oud factory?
with Samir as foreman? conroystoptime - 12-15-2015 at 06:49 AM
Great. I know Samer (whom Brian mentioned) here in New York, so I'll check with him, too.
But Mike, if you do get some info on a Canada-based musician in need, please let me know. Ideally, of course, the oud would go to someone who plays
and loves Arabic music, and who is in need of a good, working instrument.
The one I have in mind is a Mohammed Fadel copy (it has a Fadel label inside, but is clearly fake) that I got in Damascus in 2010. Najib Shaheen did
some work on it in New York City, improving the sound and playability quite a bit.
It would be most ideal for an adult male musician, probably, because it has a deep bowl and a wide face.
Thank you! If I find a recipient via Samer, I'll post here with an update.SamirCanada - 12-15-2015 at 08:48 AM
You guys are joking around but I actually thought about this for a while as I am fantasizing about quitting my day job. Imagine someone like Samir
Azar who lost his workshop in the early days of the war and others who are struggling with making and shipping ouds in these conditions. Though I
think most of them would have relocated to Damascus and are doing ok.
As a bonus we would sell in Canadian dollars which is basically on par with the Syrian currency :P Brian Prunka - 12-15-2015 at 10:11 AM
As a bonus we would sell in Canadian dollars which is basically on par with the Syrian currency :P
)
tkmasuda - 12-15-2015 at 10:54 AM
Samir, if you had the right guys and could get to the right numbers it would not be a joke at all. Don't forget to look into government grants or
loans, esp. related to rehabilitating real estate! You could even plan to recruit master luthiers from elsewhere. You could be the Robert Godin of the
oud.faggiuols - 12-15-2015 at 12:31 PM
very nice gesture!
all my respect.majnuunNavid - 12-15-2015 at 07:45 PM
Samir, I'm in Vancouver, let me know if I can be of any assistance.
If you ever want to start a Canadian Oud factory/company keep me informed.
keving - 12-16-2015 at 09:13 AM
you guys literally just restored my hope for humanity. With all the depressing news, this just made my day. Thank you.
I wish I had something to give. If any refugees came to our state of massachusetts I want to offer a space for them to be, we don't have much, but
we'll out it out there if it comes to that.Mike - 12-23-2015 at 05:28 PM
So it looks like we found our very deserving candidate for Todd and Eric's generosity. I just delivered the Oud this morning to a relative who will
give the Oud to its new owner on Christmas Day.
Last Sunday I texted Afif Taian asking if he knew of anyone coming from Syria who was in need of an Oud. I gave him the back story and told him how it
would be a donation from a couple of generous guys at the forums. He put me in touch with someone who had the perfect person in mind. A few short days
later and she will have her Oud.
A brief account of the beneficiary of Todd's wonderful idea:
She's a widower from Syria with two teenage sons. Her husband died of a heart attack about 6 years ago. Her home was destroyed during the recent
unrest and she was able to get to California with her two boys. She's been in the states for about 7 months and seems like she's doing her best to
assimilate. She drives her kids to school and work each morning, then takes English lessons herself before picking her kids up and then going to work
herself.
I really believe this is going to brighten Christmas for her and her family. We should be getting some photos and possibly a short video of her with
her new Oud soon.
Thanks again to Todd and Eric and all you guys who have been supportive of this wonderful idea!majnuunNavid - 12-23-2015 at 09:48 PM
Fantastic. I hope to see an update soon.Eric Stern Music - 12-24-2015 at 09:43 AM
Todd and Mike you guys are so awesome, for coming up with the idea and then for making it happen! I'm just helping a little but you two are the idea
and the action men! So nice to be part of a forum that is doing something good for the world. Go team oud!tkmasuda - 12-24-2015 at 10:18 AM
Happy that this is working out. Mike and Eric, thanks a lot.
Keving, nice Ornette cover!Mike - 1-19-2016 at 09:25 PM
Well, our new friend, Hannaa, finally got her oud. It took a little longer than expected, but needless to say, it seems like she is quite happy and
grateful. Thanks again Todd and Eric!
I don't read German, but a friend recently posted this "instruments for refugees" link.
Could anyone help translate? This might be a good resource for people who would like to collectively donate money toward providing instruments to
those in need.
It is original in dutch. I translated it into german and then into english. So, without 100% guarantee...
----------------------------------------------
Give those musicians back their voice!
The instrument fond is helping musicians, who fled and miss an instrument right now. We also facilitate the realization of concerts and musicworkshops
on the local spots. So that there will be music at those places in 2016.
You like to help us?
There are two ways to support the fond.
1.
With your donation we can purchase instruments for (professional) fled musicians, bear the costs of transport an execute the organisation of concerts
and workshops.
2.
You have an instrument you don't need anymore, which is in a good and playable condition? Let us get in contact at:
mail@instrumentenvoorvluchtelingen.nl
We tell you where and how you can hand over you instrument.
Your donation can be transfered at IBAN NL11INGB 0008114842 with the applied notation: Musicians without boarders, instrumets for refugees.
Thanks a lot!
The musiciansconroystoptime - 1-21-2016 at 06:04 AM
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