Oman’s reigning Sultan Qaboos has had a longstanding passion for classical music, one that has led him to develop the Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra (made up entirely of Omanis) and build the Royal Opera House as well as numerous other entertainment venues in Muscat. Performances or collaborations are thereby greatly welcomed in this country which is also host to green mountains and desert landscapes, archaeological sites and still-bustling modern ports.

Classical Movements started traveling to the Middle East with tours to Turkey in 1994, and later Egypt in 1996 first with its brochure program under Blue Heart Tours. It has organized trips to the Sultanate of Oman for the National Symphony Orchestra, Suzanne Farrell Ballet and Morgan State University Choir. Classical Movements also works closely with Middle Eastern musicians: in 2003, it arranged the historic tour of the Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra to the United States, a choir from Morocco and collaborations with choirs from Israel and Turkey.

Sights & Sounds

  • Muscat
  • Alam Palace
  • Zawawi Mosque
  • Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra
  • Al Bustan Palace Auditorium
  • Royal Opera House
  • Mirani Port
  • Ruwi
  • Wadi Daiqah Gorge
  • Mountainous Salalah
  • Job’s Tomb
  • Nizwa
  • Oman Center for Traditional Music

Testimonials

“We must applaud Classical Movements for always delivering a very comprehensive and thorough product. Tours of this type are a balancing act, where one wants a great musical experience at the same time as experiencing the culture of the countries visited. This was the first trip where we did not just concentrate on one country, but several in Qatar, Oman and United Arab Emirates. For many on the group, including myself who has travelled the world over, there were cities and countries we have never heard of before, but will not ever forget.”

Dr. Eric Conway | Choir Director & Chairperson of Fine Arts, Morgan State University, 2014

“Thank you for inviting us to participate in this wonderful IHLOMBE festival.  Musically, we, the Morgan State University Choir had an opportunity to hear some very fine choirs from South Africa and the United States. Culturally, we visited places that will change our lives forever…I personally know how much time and effort went into every detail of this trip.  You have given the students of these choir memories that will last a lifetime.”

-Morgan State University Choir

Press

“The Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra visit involved a human element that transcended the usual business of arranging orchestra tours for Neeta Helms, executive vice president of Classical Movements. She ushered the musicians from their first nerve-wracking security checks at New York’s JFK Airport to their last tourist stop at Rockefeller Center on the way out of the country.”

-Symphony Magazine, March – April 2004