In tune with power of music to heal
November 3, 2011 by Webmaster · Leave a Comment
Article first published 01 November 2011 (Irish Times)
Music can be used to open up channels of communication with patients disturbed by a range of conditions, writes SYLVIA THOMPSON
WHAT CAN you do if your mind is too confused to permit normal conversation? How can you occupy a social space – in which to communicate with others – if you can’t speak? How can you share your distress with someone else if you can’t distinguish between internal voices in your head from those around you?
Music’s key to a new voice and a new life
July 2, 2009 by Webmaster · Leave a Comment
Amadou and Mariam (front row, right) with members of the Beating Wing Orchestra in Manchester. Photograph: Shaw & Shaw
Malian world music stars Amadou and Mariam, wrapped up against the chilly Manchester morning, sit like islands of calm as African and Latin American rhythms from the nine musicians explode around them. Suddenly, the crystal-edged voice of a Chinese opera singer cuts through the frenetic sounds. A great smile breaks over Amadou’s face and he stops the orchestra, asking to hear that section again.
This is a rehearsal of the Manchester-based Beating Wing Orchestra (BWO) – made up of equal numbers of asylum seekers and refugees and local musicians – preparing for their appearance in the Manchester International Festival with their world-famous coaches.
It’s a wonder some of them can attend practice. Emmanuela Machozi Yogolelo, from the Democratic Republic of Congo, can only come because the BWO pays for her travel and babysitting for two children. At a recent rehearsal, a phone call from a provider of asylum seeker accommodation warned her that she would have to move immediately. She said another call, from a hospital’s legal representative, told her she had to pay the NHS £3,000 for delivering her baby.
Such worrying incidents are not rare, according to Cilla Baynes, director of Community Arts North West, which organises the BWO: “It can be a real rollercoaster ride.” And funding – currently from the lottery fund – is precarious.
The orchestra was formed in 2007 with the aim of challenging negative perceptions of people living in exile, through arts and cultural activities. Baynes says: “It’s about giving a route for these people into the community.”
Two years ago, the orchestra worked with Palestinian singer Reem Kelani and performed in the inaugural Manchester International Festival. Now it is doing the same thing with Amadou and Mariam, a blind husband and wife duo who are delighted to work with the musicians, who come from a range of African countries, Iran, China, Brazil and the UK.
Amadou says: “We could not have achieved what we have with this group through words. Words are just for speaking, but sometimes you have to play with the words through music to get to say what you really mean.” He admits there have been some “cultural collisions”, but says: “We have been able to come together because there is always a common language through the music. It is a piece of magic.”
That feeling is shared by the orchestra’s musicians. Refugee Serge Tebu, from Cameroon, was tortured for eight weeks in his country. When he came to Manchester, he had only his keyboard skills to give him an entry into life in the UK. “Everything is positive working with Amadou and Mariam,” he says. “They bring us a new experience and, because they have very high standards, they are pulling us to a higher level.”
• Amadou and Mariam will play with the Beating Wing Orchestra on 7 and 8 July at Manchester International Festival’s Pavilion Theatre. Details at mif.co.uk
Source: Guardian
Iraqi refugees release captivating album online
June 29, 2009 by Webmaster · Leave a Comment
(UNHCR) – A trio of refugee musicians from Iraq have released their first album on some of the world’s leading music-sharing sites and have agreed to use the profits to help financially strapped compatriots in exile.
“Transitions,” comprising 15 tracks put together by Salim Salem, Abdel Mounem Ahmad and Fadi Fares Aziz with the support of the UN refugee agency, made its online debut Thursday on iTunes, Napster, Amazon, Amie Street, IMVU, lala, ShockHound, Rhapsody and emusic.
Aziz on the ney and Salim Salem on the oud. © UNHCR/G.Brust
The three used their collective experiences of life as refugees, their transitions and the uncertainty of exile as inspiration for their captivating and calming music – a mix of ancient and modern that highlights the richness and diversity of the Iraqi musical repertoire. Salim plays the oud (lute), Abdel Mounem the ney (pan flute) and Fadi the qanun, a type of zipher.
They met in Damascus after fleeing the violence in Iraq. The three men often talked about recording Iraqi music that would reach an international audience. “When I arrived in Syria, my oud was my only luggage as a refugee. I had left my country behind, but my music spoke about nothing else,” recalls Salim.
His dream to record music with Abdel Mounem and Fadi turned to reality when the UNHCR office in Damascus became involved as part of its “Express Yourself” campaign, launched in 2007 to give talented Iraqi refugees in Syria a platform to express themselves artistically.
UNHCR’s Damascus office contacted the iTunes last month and asked them to market the music. They referred the agency to TuneCore, a United States-based music distribution company. TuneCore then sent the music to all its partners – including iTunes – for sale. The album was recorded in Damascus.
Philippe Leclerc, UNHCR’s acting representative in Syria, welcomed the release of the album. “Iraqi talent is alive. We need to continue to support it and help Iraqi refugees living in exile,” he said. “Iraqi society is facing major challenges today and we hope that this music will allow people all over the world to become closer to Iraqi culture while supporting Iraqi refugees.”
Salim, Abdel Mounem and Fadi have all agreed to donate the profits to a UNHCR-run financial assistance programme that provides a lifeline for some 12,000 Iraqi refugee families unable to work legally in Syria, or lacking savings. Every track downloaded will mean 60 US cents for the programme.
“This solidarity will mean a lot, not only to the refugees but also to the humanitarian aid workers who are supporting this operation,” said Sybella Wilkes, a UNHCR public information officer in Damascus.
Meanwhile, “Transitions” might become the only album recorded by the three men. While Salim remains a refugee in Damascus, Fadi was recently resettled in the United States with UNHCR help. Abdel Mounem has returned to Baghdad, once a musical centre of the Arab world, though he will play a special World Refuge Day concert in Damascus next Wednesday with Salim.
“I have returned to Iraq, determined to make my future here,” Abdel said. “I am part of a resistance that promotes passion for music and peace. Culture and art are still part of the Iraqi identity. Such an ingrained, deep-rooted and ancient civilisation cannot be erased in a few years.”
Salim is not ready to go back, but he believes things are improving in Iraq. “During the past year, I have seen music blossoming again in Iraq,” said the oud player. “We would like to dedicate this album to all Iraqis around the world, to all the people who have made this project possible and to all fine listeners of Oriental music,” he added.
By Dalia Al-Achi in Damascus, Syria
Rocking against racism
May 2, 2009 by Webmaster · Leave a Comment
By Katherine Vine
MUSICIANS will be rocking against racism at a May Day march organised to fight the BNP.
Up-and-coming indie band The Score will join trade unionists, refugees and asylum seekers to demand the right to work for all, despite Britain’s economic problems.
Geoff Brown, secretary of Manchester Trades Council and one of the organisers, says they fear the far-right party will use the recession to attack foreign workers and divide communities.
He said: “As trade unionists we know we must remain united and show solidarity. We will not tolerate the racism of the BNP and their divisive tactics.”
The Score are brothers Matt and Thomas Boon from Sale and Michael Keenan from Stretford, plus Calvin Hargreaves and Simon Taylor.
Guitarist Matt studied at Altrincham’s Blessed Thomas Holford Catholic College with drummer Thomas and singer Michael.
He is looking forward to the gig and says: “It will be something a little bit different but it should be really good.
“We have been together and gigging around Manchester for about two years now and we actually do quite a lot of charity gigs. We did something with Key 103 for Cash for Kids, so this gig is perfect for us.”
The band found out about the march from bassist Calvin, who is employed by shop workers’ union USDAW. Calvin said: “One of the people involved in organising the event asked me if we would like to get involved – it’s a good opportunity for us and a good cause.
“We are keen to play at the demonstration and support the right to work for all.”
The march has been organised by Love Music, Hate Racism, Manchester Trades Union Council and the Manchester Committee to Defend Asylum Seekers.
They will march to Castlefield from All Saints Park, off Oxford Road in central Manchester.
The marchers will be protesting against those responsible for the country’s economic collapse and demanding the right to work for all.
Mr Brown added: “We are urging voters to make sure its candidates do not get elected ahead of the European elections on June 4. This is the deepest recession for 70 years and workers are angry and concerned.
“But we want the right to work for all, including refugees, migrant workers and people who have come to this country seeking asylum.” – Metro News
New Ivy Kombo album voices her inner feelings
August 22, 2008 by Webmaster · 22 Comments
By Elisha Shamba
Sage American lyricist Edgar Harburg once said ‘words make you think a thought; music makes you feel a feeling; a song makes you feel a thought’. The quote aptly strikes a chord with Zimbabwean Gospel diva Ivy Kombo, who has released a scotching 13-track album entitled Two Minutes.
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