Striking the Right Chord: Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Shift Through Music

Feb 13, 2025

A modern, well-lit classroom with a large musical note displayed on a whiteboard. The room is empty, featuring neatly arranged desks and chairs, with walls decorated with posters of musical notes and instruments. A piano and other musical instruments are

An empty classroom, a single musical note on the board—once rare in Saudi schools, now a sign of a changing cultural landscape. (DALL-E)

Saudi Arabia’s latest initiative to train 17,000 kindergarten teachers in music education is not just an expansion of arts education—it’s a cultural shift. Following a 2022 program that trained 12,000 teachers, this move signals a deeper commitment to embedding music in daily life, shaping the next generation’s relationship with the arts.

“The introduction of music in early education is a crucial step in fostering creativity and cognitive development,” said Sultan Al-Bazie, CEO of the Music Commission. “We are building a generation that sees music not just as entertainment, but as an essential part of life.”

This push is part of a broader transformation. Saudi Arabia aims to increase the cultural and creative industries' (CCI) contribution to GDP to 3%, generating $20 billion in revenue and creating over 100,000 jobs by 2030, according to a Grant Thornton report. Investment in music is already growing: since 2020, over 100 music schools have opened across the Kingdom, and enrollment in music programs has surged.

Beyond statistics, the shift is evident in everyday life. Just a decade ago, music education in Saudi Arabia was largely confined to private schools and informal lessons. Today, public music schools, conservatories, and specialized training programs are opening doors for a new generation of musicians. Saudi Arabia is also witnessing the rise of diverse musical talents across genres.

Sawsan Albahiti, the country’s first professional opera singer, has performed alongside world-renowned artists like Andrea Bocelli and the Paris Opera. Meanwhile, Qusai Kheder (Don Legend) pioneered Saudi Arabia’s hip-hop scene, influencing a growing rap culture. Female artists are also making waves—Jara has gained recognition as one of the country’s first female rap stars, breaking barriers and redefining musical expression in the Kingdom.

The true test, however, lies beyond classrooms and statistics. Will communities fully embrace this shift? Will the industry create sustainable career paths for musicians, composers, and educators? As one young Saudi music student put it: “We’re not just learning notes—we’re learning how to express who we are.”

Saudi Arabia’s journey to harmonize tradition with modernity is still unfolding. But if this latest push is any indication, the Kingdom is determined to find the right rhythm.