Sep 11th, 2008 · Karim Wasfi, director and co-conductor of the Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra, discusses the integral role music and culture play in the ongoing rehabilitation of Iraq. It's difficult gathering all the musicians for rehearsals, but Wasfi and the orchestra have drawn crowds of more than 600 people in war-torn Baghdad.
Jun 20th, 2008 · More than 100 Israeli fighter planes took part in a major military exercise earlier this month, The New York Times says. U.S. officials say the exercise appeared to be a rehearsal for a possible bombing attack on Iran's nuclear facilities.
Apr 9th, 2008 · OutKast's Antwan "Big Boi" Patton is working on an unusual collaboration with the Atlanta Ballet. Initially, some patrons were freaked out by the idea of mixing hip hop and their sacred dance form. Through the rehearsal process, however, the project is gathering fans.
Dec 24th, 2007 · Rehearsals are under way for a version of Shakespeare's Macbeth that will use magic tricks, fright and humor on stage. Co-directors Teller (of Penn & Teller ) and Aaron Posner talk to Robert Siegel about the production.
Mar 14th, 2007 · Yuja Wang, 20, recently played with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Wang, who has been playing piano since she was 6, began playing professionally when she was 10. Her recent chance came after 65-year-old pianist Martha Argerich canceled at the last minute. After just two rehearsals, Wang wowed audiences and critics.
Dec 10th, 2006 · The Northern Neck Chantey Singers, all in their 70s and 80s now, rehearse fishing chanties each week. The men learned the songs when they worked on fishing boats, pulling in nets and hauling in fish.
Nov 25th, 2006 · A trilogy by Tom Stoppard called The Coast of Utopia comes to New York City's Lincoln Center on Nov. 27. The three-part epic, which has 44 cast members, begins in 1833 and spans 30 years, centering on a band of Russian intellectuals. Tom Vitale reports on the challenges of planning, rehearsing, and presenting the plays in succession and in one-day marathons toward the end of the run.
Nov 24th, 2006 · For Muslims, the pilgrimage to Mecca, known as the Hajj, is the journey of a lifetime. And for the growing number of American Muslims who make this trip, it requires a lot of preparation. Few travel agencies specialize in the details of arranging a pilgrimage, but the number of companies in the United States offering such services to Muslims is growing.