Walid Gholmieh

Walid Georges Gholmieh (in Arabic وليد جرجس غلمية ‎, 1938 – 7 June 2011) was the director of the "Le Conservatoire libanais national supérieur de musique" or The Lebanese National Higher Conservatory of Music. He was considered one of the most prominent Middle Eastern conductors and composers. 
Life and career.
Born in Marjeyoun, Lebanon, Gholmieh initially studied Mathematics at the American University of Beirut before dedicating his education and life to music.
He was the founder of both the Lebanese National Symphony Orchestra and the Lebanese National Arabic Oriental Orchestra.
Established in 2000, the Lebanese National Symphony Orchestra, under the leadership of Gholmieh, was able to prove itself both locally and regionally. In a period of 25 months, the Orchestra presented more than 60 performances in different cities, including a varied international repertoire by classical music composers. On August 2, 2002, Gholmieh led the Lebanese National Symphony Orchestra at the Baalbeck International Festival.
On April 17, 2006, Gholmieh led the Lebanese National Orchestra for Oriental Arabic Music in a captivating evening of Arabic music classics at the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation annual festival. He also headed the panel of judges on the Lebanese television talent show "Studio el Fan," which is credited for launching the careers of many Lebanese and Arab artists from 1972- 2002.
Gholmieh composed the former Iraqi national anthem, "Ardulfurataini Watan" () that was in use from 1981 until 2003. Gholmieh was featured on the latest album by Damon Albarn's virtual band, Gorillaz. The album, 'Plastic Beach,' was released on March 9, 2010.
Gholmieh died in Beirut, Lebanon, on 7 June 2011 after a long illness.