| What | Haitian Piano Concerto: Tropical Fantasy |
|---|---|
| When |
Sunday, January 22, 2012
6:00pm
-
All Ages
|
| Where |
United Presbyterian Church Peoria (map)
2400 W. Northmoor Rd.
Peoria, IL 61614 |
| Description | The program, mainly of Haitian orchestral works, will include some fascinating new arrangements by Julio Racine of traditional Haitian tunes and Fantaisie Tropicale, a remarkable 15-minute work for piano and orchestra written by Haitian composer Justin Elie, who wrote for the NBC Symphony in the 1920's, featuring Joshua Russell, as soloist. Proceeds will go toward camp expenses and helping provide airfare for experienced teachers, including Haitian musicians living in the U.S. to participate in the summer music camp for Haitian youth. This past July the three-week music camp was held in Cange, Haiti. a tiny mountain town with wonderful facilities thanks to Dr. Paul Farmer's Partners in Health (their headquarters in Haiti) and the Cange Episcopal Church. This area was not affected by the tragic earthquake of two years ago, and the relative prosperity of this region is a testimony to Haiti's potential for progress. About 250 youth particpated, from both the Holy Trinity Music School and the local villages. Small music programs have been springing up all around Haiti in recent years there are at least 20 at present many of which have received some type of pedagogical help from the Holy Trinity program. Music continues to be a profoundly important part of Haitian life, a potent source of hope and expression. |