World Expo 2020
National Anthem Orchestration
Protocol Compliant
Re-Orchestrating an Anthem for the World Stage
When Dubai welcomed the world to Expo 2020, the UAE national anthem needed to be more than a formality. It needed to open a global ceremony with the weight of a nation's ambition behind every note. We were assigned to re-arrange and orchestrate "Ishy Biladi" to meet the full protocol requirements of the opening ceremony at Al Wasl Dome.
Performed Before Heads of State and a Global Audience
The re-orchestrated arrangement was performed live by Emirati artist Rashed Al Nuaimi as Dubai Police raised the UAE flag, in the presence of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The broadcast reached an estimated 6 million live viewers across the world. Rashed shared the stage that evening with Andrea Bocelli, Ellie Goulding, Hussain Al Jassmi, Andra Day, and Lang Lang.
Protocol as the Standard
Every note was accountable. The arrangement preserved the sanctity of the anthem while giving it the orchestral scale the moment demanded. Zero protocol violations. Full leadership acknowledgment. The recording has since been used as a reference version for major institutional events.