American Musician Connects with Iraqis through ‘Bach with Verse’ Concerts

Dobbs with Students at the Zawraa Park (Photo: U.S. Embassy Baghdad Staff)

Dobbs with Iraqi Students (Photo: U.S. Embassy Baghdad Staff)

April 26-28, Bach with Verse, an American NGO headed by Richard “Dobbs” Hartshorne, a renowned double bass virtuoso, composer, and storyteller, presented classical music programs and held workshops for students from the Fine Arts Institute for Boys, the School of Music and Ballet, and the National Youth Symphony Orchestra.  Dobbs performed with the students and worked with them on improving their musical techniques, then played together with the students at performances at Zawraa Park and the U.S. Embassy.  The park event was attended by students from the English Access Microscholarship Program, officials from the Baghdad Provincial Council, and staff from the embassy’s Cultural Affairs Office.  At the U.S. Embassy performance, an audience of over 100 Iraqi students from the School of Music and Ballet, the National Youth Symphony Orchestra, and the embassy’s alumni network enjoyed an afternoon of music and comedy with the embassy community.