Musicians For Harmony Confirms Sixth Anniversary Benefit Concert for September 11th
Executive Director Allegra Klein Heading to Northern Iraq as Part of Landmark Summer Arts Academy
MFH Educational Pilot Program a Growing Success
Musicians For Harmony continues to deliver on the promise of its mission to promote peace and cultural exchange through music. The organization, founded shortly after September 11, 2001, has generated growing attention for its charitable efforts in the years since. Each fall, they present a concert in New York City featuring internationally renowned classical and world music artists. In fact, The New Yorker recently praised: “The annual observances of the anniversary of the September 11th attacks have given weight to what used to be a blank space in the classical schedule..."
This year, Musicians For Harmony celebrates its Sixth Anniversary “Concert For Peace" with a September 11, 2007 performance at Symphony Space. At this special event, international stars will share the stage with acclaimed classical musicians for what is sure to be a memorable evening. The concert will feature three world premieres, as unique instruments including the kora and pipa will be showcased alongside more familiar classical fare. Featured artists include pianist Claude Frank with Arnold Steinhardt, violin, Michael Tree, viola and Peter Wiley, cello (Guarneri Quartet); the return of The Shanghai Quartet; virtuoso pipa player Wu Man, who will perform a world premiere solo piece “Soliloquio Serrano" by the Peruvian-Jewish-Chinese composer Gabriela Lena Frank; and Musique Sans Frontieres, who will be joined by Malian kora player Yacouba Sissoko for two world premiere performances, “Siya" by Sissoko and “Couleurs du March" by MFH's Artistic Director, Patrick Derivaz.
Sixth Anniversary Concert Information: Tuesday, September 11, 2007 at 7:30pm Peter Jay Sharp Theatre at Symphony Space Broadway at 95th Street, New York City For additional information, call 212-996-8010 Ticket prices: $35, $75, $125 (includes reception with artists following concert)
Allegra Klein Brings Suzuki Instruction to Iraq Arts Academy in July: In November 2003, MFH founder Allegra Klein attracted international attention by traveling to Baghdad to present much needed funds and musical instruments to the Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra, playing with the orchestra during one of their rehearsals and fostering hope and goodwill amongst her Iraqi counterparts. This July, Klein will return to Iraq to participate in a landmark event -- The Iraq Summer Performing and Visual Arts Academy. The Academy -- the first project of its kind in the history of Iraq -- will deliver an American educational experience to nearly 300 of the country's aspiring performers.
The not-for-profit organization American Voices will literally transport a faculty of U.S. and European music, dance and theater instructors to Northern Iraq to create a free, multi-day educational opportunity for young Iraqi artists. Klein will represent Musicians For Harmony (and New York) by providing instruction in Strings and Chamber Music, and will introduce the Suzuki violin teaching method to Iraqis for the first time in the country's history. More information may be found here: http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/news.php?id=14151
Educational Workshop Pilot Program a Growing Success: Musicians For Harmony's “Music of the World" six-week pilot workshop series fulfills a goal which was first articulated by Klein and Derivaz just one year ago. The aim was to bring the message of peace through music to younger audiences, and MFH has made it happen.
Held this past spring at the School for Human Rights (a public school in Crown Heights, Brooklyn,) “Music of the World" is a series of six, hour-long teaching sessions on world music instruments and their related cultures. Each session focuses on instrumental music from one area of the world -- for example, a recent session for eighth graders focused on West African/Ghanaian music, and featured Valerie Dee Naranjo (gyil) and Daniel Levy, the lead teaching artist who developed the series of workshops for MFH (and whose other credits include the Lincoln Center Institute, 92nd Street Y and Broadway Theater Institute.)
The other five sessions in the workshop series include An Introduction to World Music with a discussion of ostinato, and The Music and Culture of South America, India, China and Egypt/Lebanon. Additional information on this successful and growing program may be found here: http://www.musicians4harmony.org/workshops.html
An Organization That Takes Pride in Living Up to its Goals: In a 2006 interview feature with Allegra Klein, The New York Sun wrote: “Like many New Yorkers, Allegra Klein, a violinist and arts administrator, wanted to do something to help after the terrorist attacks five years ago... Ms. Klein's efforts grew into Musicians for Harmony, a group formed to promote cultural understanding through music... In the future, the group hopes to expand to other cities...It is also launching an afterschool program for Brooklyn middle school students this fall. And Ms Klein remains optimistic in her belief in the healing power of music. 'It does foster peace,' she said. 'I truly believe that.'"
Classical Domain praised: “Founder Allegra Klein is attempting to redefine what a memorial response should be in a world where contemplation loses out to competing agendas. Klein and [artistic director] Patrick Derivaz have found a way to keep a link between cultures, while the world and the media are focused on creating distinctions."
The funds raised through Musicians For Harmony's concerts and other events over the last six years have been donated to peace-oriented charities such as Safe Horizon's September 11th Fund and Doctors Without Borders, though smaller organizations like the Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra and Patch Adams' Gezundheit! Institute have also benefited. In 2006, the beneficiaries included the Hawthorne Country Day School, a New York State approved not-for-profit school serving children with autism, Asperger's syndrome, and other health impairments. Each beneficiary is carefully selected by a committee of Musicians For Harmony musicians and Board members, and representatives from the charities are invited to speak about their causes at the concerts.
This year, Musicians For Harmony will focus on cultivating understanding and community amid teenagers more accustomed to regional and cultural conflict. The first beneficiary for the September 11th concert will be Seeds of Peace, a non-profit, non-political organization that helps teenagers from regions of conflict learn the skills of making peace. The second beneficiary will be MFH's growing Educational Workshop Program, to continue to support instruction in world music for young people.
The New York Times' Allan Kozinn, in a concert review entitled 'Sounds Rising Above Prejudice,' summarized the noble mission of MFH as follows: “Musicians for Harmony was founded after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, in the hope that music might foster understanding between cultures. It has raised money for causes that have included support for the survivors of the attacks and underwriting for Iraq's national orchestra. Classical and folk musicians mingle in its resident ensemble, Musique Sans Frontires, and the organization is about to start workshops in New York City schools, using instruments from different cultures..."
In The New York Daily News, veteran music critic David Hinckley interviewed Klein for a feature entitled 'Music's Healing Touch.' Hinckley noted: “Finding things that hold the world together can be harder than finding things to blow it apart, which makes it heartening that...years after 9/11, ordinary people keep bringing light from that day's darkness."
Allegra Klein and Patrick Derivaz continue to convert 'hope' into 'action,' and 'darkness' into 'light.' The result is a worthy organization that is sure to continue to grow in both scope and stature.
Executive Director Allegra Klein Heading to Northern Iraq as Part of Landmark Summer Arts Academy
MFH Educational Pilot Program a Growing Success
Musicians For Harmony continues to deliver on the promise of its mission to promote peace and cultural exchange through music. The organization, founded shortly after September 11, 2001, has generated growing attention for its charitable efforts in the years since. Each fall, they present a concert in New York City featuring internationally renowned classical and world music artists. In fact, The New Yorker recently praised: “The annual observances of the anniversary of the September 11th attacks have given weight to what used to be a blank space in the classical schedule..."
This year, Musicians For Harmony celebrates its Sixth Anniversary “Concert For Peace" with a September 11, 2007 performance at Symphony Space. At this special event, international stars will share the stage with acclaimed classical musicians for what is sure to be a memorable evening. The concert will feature three world premieres, as unique instruments including the kora and pipa will be showcased alongside more familiar classical fare. Featured artists include pianist Claude Frank with Arnold Steinhardt, violin, Michael Tree, viola and Peter Wiley, cello (Guarneri Quartet); the return of The Shanghai Quartet; virtuoso pipa player Wu Man, who will perform a world premiere solo piece “Soliloquio Serrano" by the Peruvian-Jewish-Chinese composer Gabriela Lena Frank; and Musique Sans Frontieres, who will be joined by Malian kora player Yacouba Sissoko for two world premiere performances, “Siya" by Sissoko and “Couleurs du March" by MFH's Artistic Director, Patrick Derivaz.
Sixth Anniversary Concert Information: Tuesday, September 11, 2007 at 7:30pm Peter Jay Sharp Theatre at Symphony Space Broadway at 95th Street, New York City For additional information, call 212-996-8010 Ticket prices: $35, $75, $125 (includes reception with artists following concert)
Allegra Klein Brings Suzuki Instruction to Iraq Arts Academy in July: In November 2003, MFH founder Allegra Klein attracted international attention by traveling to Baghdad to present much needed funds and musical instruments to the Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra, playing with the orchestra during one of their rehearsals and fostering hope and goodwill amongst her Iraqi counterparts. This July, Klein will return to Iraq to participate in a landmark event -- The Iraq Summer Performing and Visual Arts Academy. The Academy -- the first project of its kind in the history of Iraq -- will deliver an American educational experience to nearly 300 of the country's aspiring performers.
The not-for-profit organization American Voices will literally transport a faculty of U.S. and European music, dance and theater instructors to Northern Iraq to create a free, multi-day educational opportunity for young Iraqi artists. Klein will represent Musicians For Harmony (and New York) by providing instruction in Strings and Chamber Music, and will introduce the Suzuki violin teaching method to Iraqis for the first time in the country's history. More information may be found here: http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/news.php?id=14151
Educational Workshop Pilot Program a Growing Success: Musicians For Harmony's “Music of the World" six-week pilot workshop series fulfills a goal which was first articulated by Klein and Derivaz just one year ago. The aim was to bring the message of peace through music to younger audiences, and MFH has made it happen.
Held this past spring at the School for Human Rights (a public school in Crown Heights, Brooklyn,) “Music of the World" is a series of six, hour-long teaching sessions on world music instruments and their related cultures. Each session focuses on instrumental music from one area of the world -- for example, a recent session for eighth graders focused on West African/Ghanaian music, and featured Valerie Dee Naranjo (gyil) and Daniel Levy, the lead teaching artist who developed the series of workshops for MFH (and whose other credits include the Lincoln Center Institute, 92nd Street Y and Broadway Theater Institute.)
The other five sessions in the workshop series include An Introduction to World Music with a discussion of ostinato, and The Music and Culture of South America, India, China and Egypt/Lebanon. Additional information on this successful and growing program may be found here: http://www.musicians4harmony.org/workshops.html
An Organization That Takes Pride in Living Up to its Goals: In a 2006 interview feature with Allegra Klein, The New York Sun wrote: “Like many New Yorkers, Allegra Klein, a violinist and arts administrator, wanted to do something to help after the terrorist attacks five years ago... Ms. Klein's efforts grew into Musicians for Harmony, a group formed to promote cultural understanding through music... In the future, the group hopes to expand to other cities...It is also launching an afterschool program for Brooklyn middle school students this fall. And Ms Klein remains optimistic in her belief in the healing power of music. 'It does foster peace,' she said. 'I truly believe that.'"
Classical Domain praised: “Founder Allegra Klein is attempting to redefine what a memorial response should be in a world where contemplation loses out to competing agendas. Klein and [artistic director] Patrick Derivaz have found a way to keep a link between cultures, while the world and the media are focused on creating distinctions."
The funds raised through Musicians For Harmony's concerts and other events over the last six years have been donated to peace-oriented charities such as Safe Horizon's September 11th Fund and Doctors Without Borders, though smaller organizations like the Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra and Patch Adams' Gezundheit! Institute have also benefited. In 2006, the beneficiaries included the Hawthorne Country Day School, a New York State approved not-for-profit school serving children with autism, Asperger's syndrome, and other health impairments. Each beneficiary is carefully selected by a committee of Musicians For Harmony musicians and Board members, and representatives from the charities are invited to speak about their causes at the concerts.
This year, Musicians For Harmony will focus on cultivating understanding and community amid teenagers more accustomed to regional and cultural conflict. The first beneficiary for the September 11th concert will be Seeds of Peace, a non-profit, non-political organization that helps teenagers from regions of conflict learn the skills of making peace. The second beneficiary will be MFH's growing Educational Workshop Program, to continue to support instruction in world music for young people.
The New York Times' Allan Kozinn, in a concert review entitled 'Sounds Rising Above Prejudice,' summarized the noble mission of MFH as follows: “Musicians for Harmony was founded after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, in the hope that music might foster understanding between cultures. It has raised money for causes that have included support for the survivors of the attacks and underwriting for Iraq's national orchestra. Classical and folk musicians mingle in its resident ensemble, Musique Sans Frontires, and the organization is about to start workshops in New York City schools, using instruments from different cultures..."
In The New York Daily News, veteran music critic David Hinckley interviewed Klein for a feature entitled 'Music's Healing Touch.' Hinckley noted: “Finding things that hold the world together can be harder than finding things to blow it apart, which makes it heartening that...years after 9/11, ordinary people keep bringing light from that day's darkness."
Allegra Klein and Patrick Derivaz continue to convert 'hope' into 'action,' and 'darkness' into 'light.' The result is a worthy organization that is sure to continue to grow in both scope and stature.
For more information contact Seth Cohen PR.
