Daniel Pearl World Music Day connects hearts

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 16:18:19 GMT

By Jamie Coster

Ben Vongtongdee
Choir sings “Dreamkeeper” while senior Rosalia Cruz conducts.

The room was silent in anticipation as students, faculty and friends of Daniel Pearl Magnet High School (DPMHS) took to the multi-purpose room (MPR) October 28 to participate in the school’s second annual Daniel Pearl World Music Day. Amongst the crowd were Daniel Pearl’s parents Judea and Ruth Pearl. “People are hungry for an excuse to come together for peace,” said Judea Pearl. “I’m sure Danny would have loved to be here with you today.” Since the murder of renowned journalist Daniel Pearl by Pakistani militants in 2002, Harmonies for Humanities has held official Daniel Pearl World Music Days all over the world throughout the month of October. According to the organization’s website, since the first official Daniel Pearl World Music Day concert in 2002, there have been over 6,700 different concerts in 117 countries celebrating the life and legacy of Daniel Pearl. “What they’re doing is a really beautiful thing,” said junior Hassan Muhammad. “It’s the best way to honor a truly inspirational man.” There have been concerts held in countries in Europe, Africa, and even in the Middle East. Iran, Israel and even Saudi Arabia, have held their own Harmonies for Humanities sponsored events. The concerts are not solely a celebration of one man’s life, rather a promotion of international shared humanity. “Every printed dedication, every performer who says a few words from the stage, and every member of the audience who comes away feeling inspired makes a difference in this world,” said Paul Karlsen, Program Director for the Daniel Pearl Foundation, in a recent press release. Principal Janet Kiddoo opened the performances with a welcoming speech dedicated to the Pearls. She then read a statement released by President Obama regarding Daniel Pearl World Music Days. “Music has the ability to transcend time, place and circumstance to provide a source of inspiration for all who hear its harmonies,” said Obama in his presidential statement. “Observances like the Daniel Pearl World Music Days remind us that the universal language can bring people together from around the world to express our shared humanity.” Following Kiddoo’s introduction, a procession of students entered the building to give welcomes in their own respective culture’s language. Greetings in Farsi, French, Spanish and many more were all heard one after the other, conveying the sense of universally shared humanity that Obama spoke of. The students then, one by one placed a rose in a vase positioned at the front of the auditorium. Soon, each individual rose became indistinguishable from the next; symbolizing that if all cultures were to come together through peace and acceptance, the world would be a beautiful place. After the last greeter, the vase was given to Ruth Pearl. The choir then entered the building to begin the musical festivities. Music teacher Jackie Gorski led the choir in its first song “Shalom Alecheim,” a traditional Jewish hymn which translates to “Peace Upon You.” The song is most often sung at the beginning of Shabbat, the Jewish Sabbath, to welcome angels and loved ones who died into a place of celebration. “We chose songs, that no matter the country of origin or religious affiliation, were able to convey the message of peace and acceptance,” Gorski said. “It was really special to be able to combine contemporary and traditional songs that all embodied the spirit of who Daniel Pearl was.” Between musical performances, students who had written poems for Daniel Pearl shared their thoughts and ideas about the journalist through the outlet of verse. “Me and you will listen to problems/That both sides will have to say/And I also know this way/That we think everyone is good in a way,” said freshman Blossom Lermanda, in an excerpt from her poem “Daniel Pearl.” Following the choir’s performances of “The Dreamkeeper” and “Cirandeiro,” a guitar ensemble consisting of juniors Tyler Cure, Skylar Keck, Hunter Tymich and senior Marco Perez, came out to perform guitar selections. Concluding the day’s performance, Judea and Ruth Pearl stood up at the front and gave their thanks and reflections regarding the Daniel Pearl World Music Days. Judea Pearl read a poem dedicated to his son called “A Shooting Star for Danny.” “Danny is much like a shooting star,” Pearl said. “A beautiful light that glows and shines and then suddenly-it’s gone.”

The Pearl Post

Daniel Pearl World Music Day connects hearts