Composer | Arranger | Organist | Choral Musician

Charbel Abi Nader is a Lebanese composer, arranger, organist, and choral musician whose work is rooted in the intersection of Eastern liturgical traditions and Western polyphonic practice. Deeply influenced by Renaissance and early Baroque music, he has developed a distinctive musical language that brings Arabic and Syriac texts into dialogue with historically inspired contrapuntal writing.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in General Musicology from the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik and a Master’s degree in Early Music from Antonine University, specializing in historical approaches to composition and performance. His academic background, combined with extensive experience in choir and liturgical settings, informs a body of work that seeks to renew sacred music through both scholarship and artistic intuition.

Abi Nader is the co-founder and artistic director of Vox Orientis, an ensemble dedicated to the performance and promotion of sacred and secular repertoire in Arabic and Syriac, with a particular focus on polyphonic settings. Under his direction, the ensemble explores minimalist and historically informed textures, often performing a cappella or with organ accompaniment, while undertaking recording projects that expand the contemporary Eastern sacred repertoire.

Alongside his work with Vox Orientis, he serves as choir assistant for the Antonine University Choir, contributing to rehearsals, musical preparation, and large-scale productions. His experience also includes concert organization and collaboration on major musical events, combining artistic sensitivity with strong organizational expertise.

As a composer and arranger, he writes for choir, solo voice, and instrumental ensembles, frequently creating works intended for liturgical use. His catalogue includes both original compositions and arrangements that adapt traditional melodies into polyphonic frameworks, making them accessible to ensembles ranging from parish choirs to advanced vocal groups. His music has been performed and recorded throughout Lebanon, including at notable venues such as St. Zakhia Cathedral.

In parallel with his artistic activities, he is engaged in music education, offering instruction in harmony, accompaniment, and choral practice while mentoring musicians interested in sacred repertoire and performance. His broader artistic mission is to contribute to the renewal of sacred music in the Middle East by bridging heritage and innovation and fostering a living tradition grounded in both historical awareness and contemporary creativity.