Dozan wa Awtar choir prepares for festive Christmas season

AMMAN — Jordanian choir Dozan wa Awtar on Saturday announced three upcoming Christmas-themed concerts, on December 6-8, at the Terra Sancta School theatre in Amman.

The 38-member ensemble, conducted by Nedy Muna, has presented Christmas carols for more than eight years in a row. 

According to Muna, the choir adds their own twists to traditional songs. Thanks to the arrangements of Syrian musicians Qusai Dikr and Nareg Abajian, the choir delivers refined performances that combine tradition with innovation.

They said that this year, the choir would deliver a blend of the Arabic song “Ya Maryam” (made famous by Fayrouz), with “Mary Did You Know”, — the soulful song written by Lowry and Green, and previously sung by Kenny Rogers and Wynonna Judd. 

Speaking to The Jordan Times, while taking a short break during a rehearsal last week in Amman, Muna said that there would also be a special interpretation of “Jingle Bells”. The conductor, however, said he would rather spare the details to “keep it as a surprise”. Muna also said that that this year, “about 50 per cent of the choir members are newcomers”.

The programme’s carols will also include “Do You Hear What I Hear”, “Let It Snow”, “Go Tell It on the Mountain”, “The Little Drummer Boy”, “Rocking Around the Christmas Tree” and more.

The choir will be accompanied by a live band, with arrangers Dikr and Abajian also participating.