Wednesday, March 22, 2006 at 12:30pm and 4:30pm at the Conrad Grebel University College Chapel.
On March 22, 2006 Carol Ann Weaver, Music professor at Conrad Grebel University College, is hosting a benefit concert in response to the AIDS pandemic in Africa, in support of Mennonite Central Committee and the Stephen Lewis Foundation.
For this event, Weaver has composed a piece entitled, “Every Three Children,” that symbolizes the number of children infected with the AIDS virus in parts of Africa. Weaver said,
As for the piece, I am trying to think through the concept of a mother losing a child. And it is with that kind of perspective that I am attempting to write this piece in a first-hand sort of way, so that it's not some abstract, 'do-good', politically correct piece of 'information'. Instead it represents (best as I can understand it) a real person's grief at a real child's death.
This new piece, with live music and original African field recordings of children's singing, is based on writings by Stephen Lewis, Stephanie Nolen of the Globe & Mail and many others who recount stories of AIDS deaths, especially among children in Africa. With someone dying on this planet every three seconds, and with one in every three children in parts of Africa being affected by and/or infected with the AIDS virus, the piece is both a memorial to the children of Africa who are dying from AIDS before their lives have really started and is also a song of courage for those of us who are living.
During Weaver’s many trips to Africa over the years she has recorded countless hours of field recordings, many of children and women singing. These tracks will be newly-constructed into a sonic collage/soundtrack that is incorporated into "Every Three Children."
This piece will be performed in two settings on March 22 in the Noon Hour Concert and in the 4:30pm Chapel service. Both concerts feature Carol Ann Weaver on piano, vocals by Rebecca Campbell, soundscape by Rebecca, with assistance by Peace and Conflict Studies researchers Jennifer Wiebe and Mary Barlow. The concerts will also feature the Conrad Grebel Chapel Choir, directed by Tim Corlis, drummer Arun Pal, with special guest performers and readers Stephanie Kramer, Catherine Robertson, Kgomotso Tsatsi, and Amanda Kind.
This is a free concert; however cash or cheque contributions towards African AIDS relief work via Mennonite Central Committee Africa or the Stephen Lewis Foundation would be greatly appreciated. All contributions of $10.00 or more are tax receiptable. Stephen Lewis regrets not being able to attend this premiere due to his own travels to Africa in March, however, he lends this event his personal vote of confidence and rich words of wisdom with a request to remember the orphans and the grandmothers left behind in Africa, and to know that our every effort can make a difference.
Phone: 519-885-0220 x245
Fax: 519-519-0220-0014
For other releases, visit the news section.