ABOVE: Vocalist Farah Siraj and her band harmonize with the voices of the community choir, consisting of approximately 25 people. The performance was held on Friday at the Red Rock Center for the Arts.

FAIRMONT — When the heart is opened to experience new things, everyone has the opportunity to grow and change. The Fairmont Opera House (FOH) presented Jordanian vocalist Farah Siraj, her band and a community choir of approximately 25 age-diverse individuals, as part of the Arts Midwest World Fest tour. The choir performed three original songs by Farah Siraj in English and Arabic before the Fairmont community on Friday evening at the Red Rock Center for the Arts in Fairmont.

Arts Midwest is an organization that strives to build community and creativity across the midwestern region. Through its program, World Fest, in partnership with the FOH, Fairmont has welcomed international musicians and offered musical and educational experiences. Musicians include A Moving Sound, LADAMA, and now, per recommendation of World Fest themselves, Farah Siraj, her band, and a choir of 25 Martin County residents.

“We’ve been talking to Farah Siraj about her work and culture,” Executive Director Blake Potthoff said, “It’s been really engaging to watch her talk about her experiences.”

Farah Siraj is an advocate and humanitarian and was named Jordan’s ‘Musical Ambassadress.’ Her career aims to touch the hearts of audiences throughout the United States, Europe and the Middle East regions. Now visiting Fairmont, the FOH has been excited to see residents open their hearts to the Middle Eastern culture presented to them. Farah Siraj has visited area schools, senior homes and the Red Rock Center for the Arts, advocating for people’s rights through music wherever she goes.

“Farah fits well [within the community]. She cares about refugees and animals. It’s a cultural exchange, and it’s good for the community to share her story,” Potthoff said.

Not only did the concert exhibit original music by Farah Siraj, but it furthermore served to educate the Fairmont community on Arab culture and combat misinterpretations of Arab people, while also inviting members of the community into the choir for a hands-on experience within the culture.

“[The community choir] is new for us and this program. It’s a way for the community to engage in a much deeper way. The World Fest’s mission is to share food, music and culture. It’s been fantastic to learn and share with [Farah]. It’s a very intimate, educational experience,” Potthoff said. “It’s a very unique experience in Fairmont to have.”

Similar to Farah Siraj’s beliefs, Potthoff believes that learning, sharing and appreciating more cultures and putting the community outside of its comfort zone is what can build the community itself.

“Any opportunity we have to learn about someone else is good for the community. Food, music, and culture are where you find commonality,” Potthoff said. “When we have an opportunity to sit in a room with somebody and learn, that’s when we open up and become accepting of people and grow. You never know when your life is going to change. Opening up allows you to be changed.”

Potthoff mentioned the FOH would welcome additional people into the area to share their culture through performance. He also pondered the concept of a permanent community choir. Potthoff explained that a future community choir (similar to Community Band and Summer Symphony Orchestra) could be executed, however, it requires the use of the FOH facility, which is temporarily closed due to pending construction. The FOH requires $4 million by the end of 2025. Without it, the theater is in danger of closing permanently. Just over 200 days remain to contribute to the reconstruction of the building. To support FOH, visit www.fairmontoperahouse.org, donate to www.fairmontoperahouse.org/capital/, or contact (507) 439-4900 and info@fairmontoperahouse.org.