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The Children Raise Their Voices, 1200 Children Bring Us Closer To A Better Future
[ 12 December 2002 ] |
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JAKARTA, October 9, 2002 – When noted choirmaster and musical director Aida Swenson raises her baton at the “Children Raise Their Voices” concert at the Jakarta Convention Center on October 10, 2002, she will be joined by more than 1,200 children from across Indonesia in a spirited celebration of joy, friendship, and freedom.
Attending the performance will be President Megawati Soekarnoputri, Coordinating Minister for People’s Welfare Mr.Yusuf Kalla, Jakarta Governor Mr. Sutiyoso, members of the diplomatic corps, and other distinguished guests.
“Choirs are great fun,” says Aida Swenson, “they have the ability to make us happy, they bring people from all walks of life together through their singing. They also allow us to achieve our innermost goals, and one of the reasons why the Children of the World Choir was formed was to allow our children to share that happiness.”
Directed by Garin Nugroho and choreographed by Eko Supriyanto, “Children Raise Their Voices” is a musical experience that witnesses the unique ability of music to transcend differences, to bring harmony to areas where discord prevails, and to still the beat of adversity.
So when Geert van Asbeck, Chairman of the Homeless World Foundation, contacted her in October 2001 the idea for Children Raise Their Voices was quickly born.
But the “children of the World Choir Indonesia’ could only take shape after Miranda Goeltom, Deputy Governor of the Bank Indonesia, committed herself fully to the project and became its chairwomen in December 2001.
The “Three Musketeers” (Miranda Goeltom, Aida Swenson and Geert van Asbeck) then put this vision into an ambitious project by visioning that this event will become a regular event, incorporating more and more children from different parts of Indonesia, and eventually steps towards the involvement of other countries.
Getting children to raise their voices needs teamwork and unity, adds Aida Swenson of two commodities that seem to be in short supply around the world. “Team work brings out the beautiful sounds of choirs, and Indonesia has a tradition of award-winning choirs, she continues.”
Chairperson of the Choir Steering Committee and Bank Indonesia Deputy Governor Miranda Goeltom is in full agreement: “The children are different, but together they are one. And that is exactly the promise of this unique choir. It is a symbol of peace and unity in the midst of a turbulent and divided world. It stresses that the forces of unity are stronger than the forces of division.”
The Children of the World Choir comprises more than 30 choirs, ranging in ages from nine to 16. Through a combined love of music and musical expression, they are able to participate, interact and simply enjoy themselves, say both Aida Swenson and Miranda Goeltom. Proudly singing with one voice, the children come from strife torn provinces such as Maluku, Papua, and Kalimantan, as well as other regions that have experienced economic hardship and natural disasters, from different religions, creeds, cultures and social backgrounds.
Also joining them are children from leading Indonesian international schools representing children from many different nationalities.
The Choir hopes to spread its message of joy to all children, wherever they are, and especially those who rarely, if ever, have the chance to enjoy musical events. Long term goals include financial independence through events like this one, which will enable more and more children will be able to join the Choir. Adds Miranda Goeltom: “We hope it will become a strong symbol of unity for our future generations.”
Organizers are confident that Jakarta’s residents will open their hearts – and ears – to a wonderful evening that will transform the Children of the World Choir from a dream into a permanent fixture on Jakarta’s musical agenda.
“I hope that after the Children of the World Choir concert in October each child will return home with the important message that ‘we are brothers, we are sisters, regardless race and country, nationality and language.’” says Aida Swenson.
Children are usually the first victims of poverty, political strife and religious conflict. In Indonesia thousands and thousands of children have survived abuse; although some will also struggle to survive on the streets. In response to the fate of these children Aida Swenson, Director of the Indonesian Children’s Choir and Geert van Asbeck, Chairman of the Homeless World Foundation, decided to bring the children together through music and dance in an expression of solidarity for prosperity, peace and unity. The result was the thousand strong “Children of the World Choir” which brings together children from many different nationalities, religions and socio-economic backgrounds.
Chaired by Miranda S. Goeltom, Deputy Governor of Bank Indonesia, the Steering Committee for the Children of the World Choir comprises ECW Neloe, President & CEO of Bank Mandiri; Eva Riyanti Hutapea, President Director of PT Indofood Sukes Makmur TBK; Pia Alisjahbana, Director of the Femina Group; and Chairul Tanjung, President Commissioner, Bank Mega.
The Children of the World Choir also received strong support from Their Excellencies, Mr. S. Baron van Heemstra, Ambassador of the Netherlands, Mr. Abdullah A. Alim, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia, Mr. Ralph Boyce, Ambassador of the United States of America, Mr. Gerhard Fulda, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, and Mr. Lu Shumin, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China; Mr. H. Domichi, Charge d’ Affaires for the Embassy of Japan; Mr. Stephen Hill, Director, UNESCO; and Mrs. Clare Wolfowitz, associate of IRIS Center at University of Maryland.
Tickets are available from: Ibu Dibyo (33 1178), Aquarius (720 8413), Duta Suara outlets: Sabang (32 5471), Plaza Indonesia (32 7995), Plaza Senayan (572 5320), Lippo Karawaci (546 2066), Taman Anggrek (563 9427); Disc Tarra Bintaro (735 4994), Pondok Indah (750 6989), Puri Indah Mall (582 2737), Citraland Bawah (566 9762), Pluit (668 4076), Taman Aggrek (563 9117), Mega Store Toys’R’Us (769 1530), Kelapa Gading (452 9504), Etcetera Entertainment Office (723 3671), Ibu Linda Lubis Sundah (3190 4811/0811154771), and Ibu Elsye Sandjoyo-Tombokan (345 5852/0811176014).
For further information:
ISSUED BY:
Indo Pacific Reputation Management Consultants
Tetty Schoe/Augustine Leony
Tel: 021-781 2436
Fax: 021-781 2423
E-mail: ipprjkt@indopacificpr.co.id
ON BEHALF OF:
Children Of The World Choir
Aida Swenson/ Geert van Asbeck
(Hp. 0818 150 369 & 0811 880 580)
Tel: 021-72799512
Fax: 021-72799512
E-mail: cwchoir@cbn.net.id
Http: www.worldchoir.org
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