Final Performance of the World Voices Choir They'll Call Me Freedom: Songs for Change
June 11, 2010 | 7 p.m. | Riverside United Church | 3191 Riverside Drive
June 8, 2010 Ottawa, ON — Seven years ago Brookfield High School Music Teacher Jeannie Hunter had a dream and that dream of hers became the World Voices Choir. Ms. Hunter begins a new adventure at Hillcrest High School in September. But before she leaves Brookfield, the World Voices Choir and Guests will host They’ll Call Me Freedom: Songs for Change on Friday June 11.” This will be the choir's last performance under her direction.
The World Voices Choir is a group that seeks to combine excellence in performance with a love of world music and a passion for global citizenship. As a group, choir members sing and speak in well over a dozen languages, and study music from traditional cultures the world over. Ms. Hunter says she has been privileged to work with students and staff who share her belief that together you can create positive change through music — a language that transcends barriers and creates unity. She also adds that seeing Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean jump to her feet and dance to the music during one of her students’ performances is a memory that will always bring a smile to her face.
The very proud teacher says this choir has accomplished so much in seven years that it even takes her breath away and she was along for the amazing ride. The choir performed for both the former UN Special Envoy for HIV/Aids Stephen Lewis, and for the current envoy Elizabeth Mataka. Locally the students have sung and danced in the Senate, performed in the West Block and on the steps of Parliament Hill. They have performed numerous times for the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). One of the group’s greatest performances took place in front of more than 10,000 people at the RCMP Sunset Ceremonies, which features the RCMP Musical Ride. The choir has been on CBC Radio’s Ontario Today and CBC Morning as part of Share Central. The students have been featured in documentaries on both CBC Radio and Television, and were showcased in a video by the George Lucas Foundation. In addition more than $13,000 was raised for the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, 650 pairs of shoes and $1200 were raised for Sole Responsibility, and numerous donations were made to Make Poverty History.
They'll Call Me Freedom: Songs for Change” oncert featuring the World Voices Choir and Guests is scheduled for Friday June 11 at 7 p.m. at the Riverside United Church located at 3191 Riverside Drive. Tickets cost $5 for students/seniors and $10 for adults. Proceeds will go to the Riverside Grannies, Nelson Mandela Children's Fund, and Haitian Earthquake Relief.
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For more information, please contact: Choir Director Jeannie Hunter at 613-733-0610 or jeannie.hunter@ocdsb.ca or Communications Officer Sharlene Hunter at 596-8264.