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22 September 2006
Yesterday was the International Day of Peace. Yesterday the Touring Choir of the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for Performing Arts and I sang Trail of Tears to nearly 1,000 people at the United Nations in NYC.
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, Michael Douglas,
Yo Yo Ma, Jane Goodall, and Sheika Heya Rashed Al Khalifa, President of the 61st General Assembly of the UN, were among those who listened and remembered on this day of Global Ceasefire, declared as such by the UN in 2001, but originally launched in 1982.
People in Kosovo, Liberia and the Democratic Republic of Congo were listening and watching via a live videocast. The streaming webcast on the Internet was watched and heard all over the world – our sacred Mother Earth.
The Touring Choir was riveting and professional under the direction of conductor, Dr. David McConnell. The choral version of this song, arranged by my friend, composer and music-for-Peace advocate, Ellen Walter, is a solemn chant naming 30 war-torn countries around our world where religious, ethnic and political oppression and violence has been perpetrated against innocent people. The emotional middle-section roll call of countries, dramatically recited, soars from a merciful plea to the ultimate demanding question, “Who remembers, who remembers?”
Panel speaker and Messenger for Peace, Yo Yo Ma, spoke of his foundation, which is using music as a vehicle of Peace. He acknowledged our performance, commenting on the “Beautiful singing…” and encouraging the dedication of all musicians to find their individual voice and to pursue the honesty, openness and generosity inherent in that search, to forge a pathway to Peace.
Questions, comments and short videos from our friends in Kosovo, Liberia and the Democratic Republic of Congo made us aware of the awesome blessing we have in our lives to not live in a country war-torn on its own soil. We also were moved by the testimony of the many youth represented in the short films. Their suffering has been extreme and their resilience, equally strong.
During the Peace Flag Ceremony, we all sang the “Peace Chant” I wrote on a plane while traveling to, and returning from, the Indian Summer Music Awards in Milwaukee on 9/11/06. With flags waving from countries across the globe, the realization of my continuing purpose of Art for the Sake of Peace was being met. I am humbled, grateful and honored to have this opportunity and accept the responsibility with trust and open arms.
For all of our Brothers
May Peace Prevail on Earth
For all of our Sisters
May Peace Prevail on Earth
For all of our Elders
May Peace Prevail on Earth
For all of our Children
May Peace Prevail on Earth
~jackie tice, 2006 |
