We don't have to remind you what a year 2020 was, but let's take the positive things into account in 2021. Like the musical talents of the VUB, for example. Some of you may have seen Samar Hatem at work during the virtual New Year's session on January 4. She is attached to the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy and is specialised in physical medicine and rehabilitation. She talks about how music brings positivity in difficult times.
How did you get in touch with your musical hobby?
I've been playing the classical piano since I was 5 years old. In 2014 I started with piano at the pop-jazz department of the Jetse academy, inspired by a period of fanatic lindyhop dancing, on swinging jazz music. My teacher is Pierre Anckaert, jazz musician and composer. Since September 2018, the Jetse academy offers the Songwriting course, also taught by Pierre Anckaert, and I immediately enrolled although I had never written a song at that time. Back then, I was going through a difficult period healthwise and I was looking for a creative way to deal with those events and emotions. The pieces of the puzzle fell into place. My musical baggage as a pianist and professional experience as an 'author' (albeit as the author of scientific articles in peer reviewed magazines) provided a good breeding ground for songwriting. Since September 2019 I've also been taking singing lessons at the same department, with teacher Anu Junnonen. I have always enjoyed singing, but clearly needed technical support.
How do you combine your work with your hobby?
Juggling between work, hobby and being a mom. On the work floor there is no room for music. I'm busy with my job which in itself is a full vocation: consultations, meetings, education, research, writing papers. Most ideas for songs come at night. Too often my brain gets going in that intermediate phase between being awake and sleeping. I sneak out of the bedroom and scribble down fragments of text as quickly as possible. Some lyrics stay lying around for a long time and others quickly get a melody and chords. I steal an hour on the piano for myself during the weekend when my partner goes outside to play with the children or entertains them in another way. Sometimes I manage to be at home during a workday and allow myself a one-on-one with the piano. Often the children sing and dance to my songs in the living room, while my husband sings along from the kitchen. My mother-in-law and my parents are my test audience (and biggest fans). The most fun is when I am working on a song at the piano and suddenly one of the children shouts 'bravo' and claps his hands.
Do you perform for (virtual) audiences more often?
From the Jetse academy I regularly get the opportunity to perform with the other songwriters at great locations such as Flagey, Brussels Town Hall, Jazz-Jette-June festival, Abbey of Dieleghem. There are also occasional opportunities to perform within the framework of the municipal cultural service of Jette: Cultural Summer in Jette and the Flemish Holiday. The New Year session of the VUB was my first live stream. I can't remember ever feeling so many cameras pointed at me at the same time.
How has your music given you an added value in the past year?
Of course, making music offers an excellent moment to escape everyday reality. Some situations that left a deep impression are given a place on paper and in music, allowing you to take distance. Also, because of the successive sanitary measures and the need for music parts, I have dared to take the step of posting songs on social media (for the time being in a rather modest group of friends, colleagues and family) as a way to keep in touch.
What are you doing musically at the moment?
Preparing an EP; I'm always looking for a new challenge. My experience with studio recordings is very limited. Furthermore I hope to be able to perform again with an audience as soon as possible and of course I will keep on writing songs.
What do you definitely want to learn?
A lot. Guitar, developing my voice, discovering all kinds of music genres, being able to open my eyes when I sing and play the piano at the same time ... more than enough ideas to keep dreaming.
Do you have any tips for colleagues who also want to learn how to play an instrument or sing/song?
Go for it. Don't focus blindly on perfection. Follow your feelings. Frequent little bits (practicing/writing) is better than a lot at once. Find a teacher/coach with whom it clicks. Every day is a new opportunity.
What musical message do you want to give before 2021?
Dance and sing (no judgement), move in every possible way. Let yourself go ... No matter how difficult the current situation is for each of us: before you know it, we look back in amazement at how we have been touched by this bizarre, unreal period.
That beautiful and hopeful message we would like to share with all of you. Happy New Year, Samar and all other colleagues!