2006: Musical Inspiration
Symphony for 1000 Drums was commissioned from Halim El-Dabh by the Ingenuity Festival, for performance at its 2006 opening ceremonies. Its debut performance will be at Cleveland's Public Square at 5pm on Thursday, July 13, 2006.

The Symphony is a composition-in-progress, meant to be performed by a veritable orchestra of drums. While some of the song might be written or improvised on the spot, a fair amount will have been arranged by Halim beforehand. Halim will use visual cues and vocalizations to conduct the symphony, at times showcasing small groups and at other times bringing everyone together in unison.

The emerging themes in this symphony are balance, beauty, healing, justice and love. We will devote our emotions and music to these themes, well represented by three African goddesses: two from Egypt (Isis & Ma'at) and one from West Africa (Oshun, pronounced o-SHOON).

Isis, the Great Mother, the maker of the sunrise, lady of solid earth, lady of bread, beer and abundance, the lady of Words of Power...the attributes ascribed to Isis seem limitless. She is associated with the star Sirius, which signals the opening of the year.

Ma'at is the name for the ancient Egyptian concept of balance, order or judgment, without which we would be in chaos. Ancient Egyptians portrayed Ma'at as an important goddess, often seen with a feather in her hair. According to the tradition, Ma'at oversaw the judgment of souls after human death.

The beautiful Oshun is from the tradition of the Yoruba in West Africa. Oshun is the goddess of fresh (not salt) water. She represents both beauty, love - especially the erotic variety, and also healing which comes from fresh water. Golden or yellow things (cloths, candles, gold or brass, sweet foods like honey or melon) are what attract Oshun.