In Memorium: AUC Musical Legend Valerie Farag Honored on the Stage

By: Malak Sekaly and Serage Amatory
@MalakSekaly @Amatory_Serage

Warmed hearts and grieving minds gathered in honor of the late professor Valerie Farag during her memorial concert on March 23 at AUC’ Tahrir’s Oriental Hall.

Organized by AUC’s Department of the Arts Music Program, a pianist and two sopranos filled the room with music in celebration of Farag’s life.

The Oriental Hall was chosen as the tribute’s location for being the first stage Farag had ever performed on during her period at AUC.

A talented soprano, poetess, producer and educator, Farag was a member of the AUC community for many years.

Later on in life, she married Shawky Farag, current professor at the Department of Business.

Farag’s great legacy at AUC started when she joined in 1981 as an English teacher and a key developer of the music program.

“She was the first person at all to have taught courses in music at AUC,” Associate Professor and Director John Baboukis said.

Many described Farag’s voice as “clear and true,” singing in English, German, French, Spanish and Italian.

“Her spirit was with us tonight,” Music Professor Ashraf Fouad said. Farag’s husband agreed with Fouad, clarifying that Valerie’s spirit is always with him.

“She was everything,” he said. He later added, “Tonight was more of a family gathering.”

The concert featured sopranos Amira Reda and Virginie Foucard and pianist Grig Martin. The song selection was entirely dedicated to honoring Farag, her favorite genre and melodies.

Baboukis added that Farag’s husband requested the Mozart section because it was Valerie’s favorite.

The abundance of French songs was purposely picked since singing in French was Farag’s specialty.

“She marched to her own drummer,” Baboukis said.

Both Martin and Baboukis added that she “did not suffer fools,” emphasizing her determined and spirited character.

“She did it her own way,” Baboukis added.

He said that he specifically chose two young sopranos for the concert because their youth captured the spirit of Farag.

At the end of the memorial, a special poem written for Valerie was recited by the host of the evening, bringing tears to a bereaved audience.

At the front row were her grandchildren, who seemed to be as appreciative of their grandmother’s art as the rest of the audience.

Martin told The Caravan how he missed performing at the Oriental Hall where he used to play alongside Valeria long ago.

He also spoke of a photograph of Valerie and himself, taken at the that very hall next to an old cello, dating back to around 1993.

They have been practicing and preparing for that night for over a week, he added.

“The number of the people who attended was very reasonable given that it was a Thursday night,” Mr. Farag told The Caravan, with tears in his eyes.

He had, however, hoped that there would have been more instrumental breaks between the songs.

He was nevertheless very appreciative of all the people who worked on the tribute and who attended it.

According to Baboukis, the memorial concert will become an annual event and will be funded by the Farag family.

In addition, a yearly award in Farag’s name has been established; granted to one deserving graduating music senior.