Education
Oud lessons in London
Are you interested in learning oud? I teach Arabic and Turkish traditions as part of my role at SOAS, University of London. Feel free to get in touch and arrange a consultation lesson.
Compositions
Live TV Broadcast, BBC Persian
An opportunity to present one of my own compositions, Acem Kurdi Saz Semai, live for the BBC, with a mysteriously dramatic background – not really in line with the melancholy of the piece! Please contact me if you would like a copy of the score.
Education
Workshop in Arabic music
In 2020, students taking the IGCSE in Music will have a special focus on Arab music. For this reason I was invited to the City of London School for Girls to provide a workshop and presentation for students and teachers. I created a PowerPoint demonstration bringing to life the syllabus, Read more…
Events
Oudmigrations concerts
Oudmigrations is a research project dedicated to the journeys of ouds, their histories, and the stories attached to their makers, players, and owners. The first Oudmigrations concert series took place in Rome, thanks to the generous support of ISMEO (Associazione Internazionale di Studi sul Mediterraneo e l’Oriente) and hosting by the Biblioteca Vallicelliana. They explored Read more…
Compositions
Reid Concert Hall
A concert of Ottoman court music along with my song cycle “Sing no Sad Songs with Me”, in the elegant Reid Concert Hall of Edinburgh University.
Compositions
Sing no Sad Songs for Me (Italiano)
Un “Liederkreis” tra il Tamigi e il Bosforo Sonorità lontane tessute con ricordi di donne Poesie di Christina Rossetti Musiche di Rachel Beckles Willson Musicisti: Rachel Beckles Willson (voce, oud), Ciro Montanari (tabla), Kostas Tsarouchis (contrabbasso), Evgenios Voulgaris (yayli tanbur) ‘Sing no Sad Songs for Me’ nasce dall’incontro tra la poesia Read more…
Events
Moro Festival
Today is Good! took the stage at the first edition of Siracusa’s Moro Festival on 22 December
Compositions
Sing no Sad Songs for Me
A song-cycle connecting the Bosphorus and the Thames – resonances woven through the memories of women Poetry by Christina Rossetti Music by Rachel Beckles Willson Performers: Rachel Beckles Willson (vocals, oud), Ciro Montanari (tabla), Kostas Tsarouchis (double bass), Evgenios Voulgaris (yayli tanbur) ‘Sing no Sad Songs for Me’ connects the Read more…
Uncategorised
Sing no Sad Songs for Me
Ein Liederkreis, der den Bosporus und die Themse verbindet – Resonanzen gewebte durch die Erinnerungen von Frauen Poesie von Christina Rossetti Musik von Rachel Beckles Willson Musiker: Rachel Beckles Willson (Gesang, Oud), Ciro Montanari (Tabla), Kostas Tsarouchis (Kontrabass), Evgenios Voulgaris (Yayli Tanbur) „Sing no Sad Songs for Me“ verbindet die modalen Musiktraditionen Read more…
Education
Today is Good!
I moved to Sicily in May 2017, in order to work as a volunteer with Francesco in with various educational projects for asylum-seekers. We were keen to work with unaccompanied minors, and were trained to be legal gaurdians. Alongside this legal and pastoral work we have put on a series Read more…