Dear Friends of Musicians for World Harmony,
Harmony, by definition, is the simultaneous union of various elements to produce a pleasing effect. In the lives of those affected by war, famine and poverty, addressing only medical and shelter issues proves not to be enough to achieve harmony. At MWH, our work continually seeks to address deeper issues of the human spirit so that a true harmony within individuals can be found.
With this as our primary objective, I am thrilled to share with you that we just laid the first brick for the new Charles Evans Music Heals Center in Soroti, Uganda. This center will be the home of music therapy programs and curriculum created in collaboration with the Berklee College of Music’s Music Therapy Department and administrated by the Ugandan organization Action Against Child Abuse and Neglect (AACAN). It is a place for former child soldiers, victims of war and all those in need of the healing powers of music. Though we’ve begun with a humble building, this center will indirectly serve approximately 50 thousand people from Eastern and Northern Uganda in the coming years.
I would like to extend a warm welcome to someone very instrumental in the creation of this center: our new board member & Director of Education and Mental Health Programs, Prof. Karen Wacks. Karen is a Professor and Clinical Training Coordinator in the Music Therapy Department at Berklee College of Music in Boston. She received her Masters Degree in Education from Harvard University and is a licensed mental health counselor. Incorporating the use of music as a medium of expression for cultural sharing, peace building and mental health makes her an essential addition to MWH.
I would also like to warmly welcome two additional members of our team who have been instrumental in establishing pilot chapters of MWH at local universities: our new Community and Campus Outreach Coordinator, Joe Dvorak at the University at Albany and our new Media Coordinator Hannah Hunter at SUNY Geneseo. Welcome Karen, Joe and Hannah!
I have been busy over the past year recording a new benefit album for MWH set to be released in early 2012. It is a collaboration between myself, Charles Evans and Tony Cedras as producers and a handful of well accomplished US-based international artists. All album sales will go to raise funds for MWH.
I am excited to be moderating a soon-to-come feature of our website--MWH’s online community for those who use music as a healing tool. It will be a forum where you can share your experiences, successes, questions and resources with others involved in the same work. It is my hope that with your participation it will be a unique and meaningful community. I am grateful for the site’s continued complimentary hosting by Steve Gorney at S-Go Consulting
–thank you.
Mirembe (Peace)
Samite
