Burnaby artist to compose music for Vancouver Symphony Orchestra

Although his instrument of choice is currently the sitar, Mohamed Assani is also a classically trained pianist and musician. Assani is FLEET Studio’s current artist-in-residence and is using his time in the mobile studio to compose music for the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. Though now based in Burnaby, Assani was born in Karachi, Pakistan, and started performing at 12. When he was 18, he travelled to the UK to study Western classical music and play the piano. 

“The college that I went to had a very eclectic environment. We had music specialists from Bali, specialists who did African music, Japanese music, South Asian music,” Assani told the Beacon. “Because I’ve lived in so many different places, my taste is very broad, and I studied Western classical music. I’ve studied jazz as well, and I’ve studied South Asian classical music.”

Since leaving the UK, Assani has taught music worldwide, composing music for orchestras, live performances, and his own albums. He is now based in Burnaby and will be FLEET Studio’s artist in residence until January 5, 2025. 

He said that experiencing so many different cultures and types of music is a key inspiration for him and influences his music to this day. With the broadening of his musical taste, he now listens to music from all over the world, appreciating the rich variety of instruments and genres. 

“When I’m composing, I get inspired by different traditions and different styles, and sometimes I am successful in using different influences as one voice. I think that’s what my style has become, now that I can draw from different styles in a meaningful and authentic way,” Assani said. 

When Assani heard about the opportunity to sign up for a residency at FLEET Mobile Studio in Edmonds Park, he liked the idea of spending time in a quiet space, away from interruptions, where he could focus on his music. 

“Where I am sitting right at this moment, looking outside the window, looking at the autumn leaves, which are beautiful in the park,” Assani said. “I’m looking out the window; the world is passing by, but I’m in my own world, in my own bubble, working on the symphony as I speak to you.” 

Assani is using his time in the studio to compose a piece of music he will perform with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra sometime in 2025, although the exact date has yet to be determined. 

“The process for something like this is very multi-layered. Sometimes, you could start with the rhythm; sometimes, you might start with the melody; sometimes, you start with a small motif. So, there are so many variables that can get the engine going. What I normally do is I have a few ideas, a few sketches of a melody or maybe of a rhythm, and then I play that,” Assani said of his process in composing music. “I write everything down myself, and then I’m able to hear it back once I write it down and tweak it and so on.” 

Another purpose of the residency is to share his music with the community, which is why he is offering workshops during his residency. The first workshop was on Nov. 16, but he still has one more scheduled workshop on Dec. 7, which is free and open to the public and will take place at FLEET Studio in Edmonds Park at 11am. 

He said that all are welcome to attend the workshop, including people who have never played a musical instrument. During the workshop, he intends to teach people to appreciate and understand South Asian music and learn about the instruments he often plays, such as the sitar and the tabla. 

“I’m quite an experienced teacher, so I can communicate at different levels. Even if I’m teaching something difficult, I can also have a version or explain it in a way that is very accessible to people,” Assani said of his upcoming workshop. “I’m going to share how we make rhythms in South Asian music using mathematics. We’ll learn how to count on our fingers and I’ll include some practical examples, and even the audience can participate with me.”

This piece was made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.

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