[etni] Fwd: Music in Common
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- Date: Tue, 13 Dec 2011 21:07:56 +0200
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From: laurie ornstein <laurenmadeline@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Music in Common
Dear ETNIers,
I can't even begin to describe to you in words the amazing Music in
Common (MiC) program now in progress.
Music In Common, Inc. is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization whose
mission is to strengthen, empower, and educate communities through the
universal language of music.
By producing free, publicly accessible concerts, school programs, and
multimedia productions with an interest in underserved areas and
communities where there is a history of conflict, Music in Common
(M.i.C.) provides a platform for the exchange of ideas and
collaborations that can lead to positive social change.
www.musicincommon.org
At the head of the program is Todd Mack, President. Lynnette Najimy is
at the helm of the multmedia program. Both are volunteering their time
and efforts. I joined MiC about a year ago when FODfest was here in
Israel for the first time. MiC grew out of FODfest.
www.musicincommon.org/fodfest
Yesterday afternoon we concluded the 2-day musical and multimedia
workshop with pupils from my school, The High School for Environmental
Studies at Midreshet Ben Gurion together with ORT Um Batin Access
pupils.
Within a couple of hours of meeting for the first time on Sun, morning
at ORT Um Batin, these teens, from diverse backgrounds, chose a theme
for a song to write together, penned the lyrics and started work on a
melody to accompany their musical creation. They hummed, played
instruments and cooperated, collaborating till they worked through it
all and were satisfied with their results. At the end of the day,
everyone went home with the lyrics to review and get ready for the
second day of rehearsing, recording and performing at The High School
for Environmental Studies. My classroom was turned into a multimedia
studio and the classroom next door, into a recording studio. From 9 AM
to 3 PM, the participants worked non-stop on the project till their
presentation in front of their classmates.
Even stronger than the song itself, was the commonality the pupils
found between them through Music in Common. I was literally blown away
and brought to tears by some of the things they said as they worked
together and expressed themselves about the workshop encounter. I
think the most beautiful expression of this was seeing my pupil,
Re'ut, hand in hand with Esraa from ORT Um Batin, singing, laughing
and enjoying their newly made friendship. They, as well as the others,
exchanged emails and telephone numbers.
I'd like to share with you the lyrics of their song. Sorry you can't
listen to it now with the musical accompaniment but in a couple of
months, when Lynnette gets through all the video tape, we'll have a
professional clip of the song.
Magical World
The birds are flying
The river's flowing
The children playing
The flowers are growing
Where is the love?
It brings us together
It's found through hope
Connects us forever
Pre-Chorus
"Tareek l'salaam"
"Darkenu l'shalom"
Chorus
Jews, Muslims and Christians
All one Israel
Druze and Bahais
All one in Israel
"Inshallah, Inshallah, Inshallah"
To bring peace our hearts
Must be involved
Hand in hand
Our problems resolved
Where is the love?
It brings us together
It's found through hope
Connects us forever
Pre-chorus
Chorus
I feel privileged and blessed to be a Music in Common volunteer and
hope we'll be successful in obtaining future grants to bring the
program back to Israel in the near future.
This tour includes workshops at: ORT Lilienthal, Ramla, Kaye College,
Beersheva, ORT Um Batin -High School for Environmental Studies, ORT El
Hwashallah - AMAL Achva Comprehensive School, Dimona and Arad Youth
Center.
We'll be wrapping up the tour with a FODfest community concert at the
Arad Community Center, this Sat. night, Dec. 17 at 8 PM. You are
cordially invited to attend.
Laurie
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