The year 2024 ends with a festive "snowfall" at the Byashim Nurali Art School in Ashgabat. It was organized by the leaders of the "Crossroads of Arts" art project, composer and journalist Aina Shirova and director of the Art School Ovezgeldy Yagmyrov. The goal of the project is to combine different types of art: painting, music, literature, poetry, dance...

Children from three capital music schools, teachers and students of the Byashim Nurali School, and residents of Ashgabat gathered in the hall of the art school. The New Year's performance turned out to be diverse, rich and dynamic.

The musical evening opened with the appearance of Father Frost. According to tradition, first he had to be called in chorus. Which the audience did with pleasure, and not only children, but also adults joined in this game.

Father Frost came out, greeted the guests, told funny jokes, and then sat down at the piano and started playing, which is quite in the spirit of the project "Crossroads of Arts". Then everyone's favorite New Year's melodies sounded, as well as music from childhood.

Young guitarists from the ensemble "Rovach" (artistic director Leyli Nasyrova) from music school No. 3 performed the fiery melody of Joe Dassin "Taka-takata", tapping on the body of the guitars. The children thoroughly prepared for the holiday. They had Santa Claus hats, scarves made of New Year's garlands and a good mood with them.

The charming violinist Sonya Nasyrova, dancing and smiling, performed the famous melody of Bobby Helms "Jingle Bells" from the movie "Home Alone".

Then it was the turn of the students of the class of teacher Akhmat Abaev. The students of the special music boarding school with their saxophones sparkling like Christmas tree decorations made an indelible impression.

Charbel Fares performed the Christmas melody of the composer Franz Gruber "Silent Night", and his sister Veronica played the "New Year's Potpourri" on the piano. This was not the only duet of the brother and sister. Eziz Garyagdyev (oboe) also performed on stage, and Emine Garyagdyeva accompanied him. The talented pianist also performed "Little Red Riding Hood" by Rachmaninov.

The youngest participant of the concert, Nazar Sultanov, played the melody "Somewhere in my memory" by John Williams on the block-flute.

And his sister Tylla Shirova performed the beloved "Ballad" by Nury Khalmamedov on the piano.

The musical kaleidoscope continued with the famous "Pink Panther" by Mancini interpreted by Mamed Orazniyazov (saxophone). He was replaced on stage by oboist Aksoltan Khamraeva, who prepared "Smoke" by composer Kern for this concert.

Alan Abaev (saxophone) performed an interesting and cheerful jazz composition. Almost all the brass players were accompanied that evening by Father Frost himself, who after the New Year holidays turns into pianist Takhir Khamraev.

After the performances were over, no one was in a hurry to leave, because the award ceremony for the winners of the drawing competition was to take place that day.

The marine painters' competition was announced in November - the students of the art school drew illustrations for the cycle of pieces for oboe and piano "Sea Sketches" by composer Aina Shirova. This cycle was performed at one of the previous concerts especially for young artists who wished to take part in the competition. They made their sketches right during the audition. As a result, more than 50 marines – seascapes – were born, 12 of which won prizes. The drawings were made in different techniques: ink, gouache, watercolor and even oil.

By the way, music and painting teachers from the Balkan region suggested holding a similar drawing competition with a musical composition.

Having awarded all the winners of the drawing competition with prizes, Santa Claus, to the general delight of the children, arranged a snowfall. Even if it wasn’t real, even if it was artificial, from spray cans… But does it really take much to get into a festive mood?

Aina Yolbarsova