2026 Registration Form – Arabic Music Retreat

Please fill out the online registration form below. For your registration to be complete, you must fill out this form and pay a $100 deposit by June 1, 2026.

If you don’t want to register on-line you can download a printed registration form here: Printed Registration Form

To reserve a room in the Willits Hallowell Conference Center you must send the $100 deposit to hold your place there.

Useful links:
Link to pay your deposit and fee balance: Pay Fees Here
Link to view the week’s program: 2026 Retreat Program and Schedule
Link to the Retreat Covid-19 Policy: 2026 Retreat Covid-19 Policy

Your Full Name (required)

Please leave this field empty.
Your Email: (required)

Your Phone Number (required)

Your mailing address including city, state, zip code and country if outside the US (required)

Your website (optional)

Date of birth. You must be at least 18 years old to attend the Retreat without an adult family member (answer required) Please enter the date as DD/MM/YYYY (day/day-month-month-year, or write in the date in words:

If you are under 18 years old, provide the name and email address of the adult family member who will stay with you at the Retreat.

We would like to include your name, email, and phone number in a Retreat directory to be shared with all participants and faculty at the Retreat. This way you can keep in touch during and after the event.

May we include your information in our Retreat directory? (answer required)
yesno

If you do not want all information included in the directory, please tell us what information we may share.

Name and Phone Number for Emergency Contact (required)

Have you attended the Arabic Music Retreat before? (required)
YesNo

If you have attended the Retreat before, when did you attend?

Audition Recording for new participants. we need a recording or video (mp3, m4a or youtube link - no Instagram or Tiktok please). Maximum length 3 minutes. Have you submitted a recording or video of your playing your chosen instrument to arabicmusicretreat@gmail.com? YesNo

Comment on your audition submission.

Select the one instrument you will study in private lessons. (required).
udvoiceviolinviolanayqanuncellobasspercussionother

If you chose "other" for an instrument, what instrument will you study at the Retreat?

Please describe how well you sing or play the instrument you will be playing at the Retreat. (required)
BeginningIntermediateAdvancedProfessional

If you chose voice for your private lessons, is Arabic your first language?
yesno

If you chose voice for your private lessons, how familiar are you with the Arabic vocal repertoire?

If you chose voice for your private lessons, feel free to add any comments about your experience with Arabic language and Arabic singing.

The following questions are for all participants:
How well do you read music notation? (required)

How well can you learn music by ear? (required)

Have you studied western music theory? (required)

If you have studied Arabic music, with whom did you study and for how long?

Have you played Arabic music or other music in a group or ensemble before? (required)

Add comments about your ensemble playing experience.

If you have studied Arabic music, list up to three Arabic instrumental and/or vocal music compositions with which you are most familiar as a performer.

If you have studied Arabic music theory, please check your level in the following areas:

Maqamaat (melodic modes):

Iqa`aat (rhythmic modes):

Ashkaal (music forms):

Are you familiar with the art of Taqasim (Arabic music improvisation? If so, please explain.

Besides Arabic music, describe any other music education you have had and for how long: (required)

Simon Shaheen Master Class:
- Simon will choose up to 12 volunteer participants to perform in the class.
- If you are an advanced level singer or player and would like to perform in the master class, please check the box below.
- Send a video or recording of you singing or playing the instrument you will perform in the class to arabicmusicretreat@gmail.com by July 15, 2026. This should be a prepared piece of less than two minutes, or a taqasim of less than one minute.
- We will notify you by August 3, 2026 whether or not you have been selected to perform in the class.
- Performers will be chosen based on how their performance will benefit all Retreaters.
I would like to perform in Simon Shaheen's Master Class
Yes

Housing Choice. Please choose one of the following housing options. Your registration is not confirmed until you reserve your housing with the $100 deposit via the website or by mail. If you snore and are not sharing a room with someone you know, please book a single dorm room.

Special needs. Please note here if you are pure vegetarian, lactose or gluten intolerant, or have specific food allergies.
veganpure vegetarianlactose-intolerantgluten-intolerantother
Describe other food allergies below:

If you have other special needs please note them below.

I have read the Retreat's Covid-19 policy and agree to comply with all guidelines and policies to keep the Retreat safe. (answer required) The link to the Covid policy is at the top of this page.

Waiver and Media Release: I hereby hold the Arab American Arts Institute, the Arabic Music Retreat, (collectively "AMR"), Mount Holyoke College, their directors, faculty and staff, harmless from any personal liability, injury or damage including negligence of any kind, during the Arabic Music Retreat held at Mount Holyoke College from August 8 through August 15, 2026. Further, I hereby grant the Arabic Music Retreat and the Arab American Arts Institute, (collectively "AMR"), Mount Holyoke College, their directors, officers, employees, agents, and designees, non-revocable permission to capture my image and likeness in photographs, videotapes, motion pictures, recordings, or any other media (collectively “Images”). I acknowledge that AMR and Mount Holyoke College will own such Images and further grant the AMR permission to copyright, and I grant AMR and Mount Holyoke College permission to display, publish, distribute, use, modify, print and reprint such Images in any manner whatsoever related to AMR and Mount Holyoke business, including without limitation, publications, advertisements, brochures, web site images, or other electronic displays and transmissions thereof. I further waive any right to inspect or approve the use of the Image by the AMR and Mount Holyoke College prior to its use. I forever release and hold the AMR and Mount Holyoke College harmless from any and all liability arising out of the use of the Images in any manner or media whatsoever, and waive any and all claims and causes of action relating to use of the Images, including without limitation, claims for invasion of privacy rights or publicity. I signify my agreement by checking the box below.

Please add any comments and questions here.