Date:
10/3/2006
Contact: Wendel Sloan at 505.562.2253
Reporter: Erin Griffith
PORTALES—In honor of Daniel "Danny" Pearl, Eastern New Mexico University will host a free concert on Tuesday, Oct. 10 at 7 p.m. in Buchanan Hall in the Music Building. The concert is part of the "Harmony for Humanity" series conducted every year to pay tribute to Daniel Pearl and promote tolerance throughout the world.
Pearl was the Wall Street Journal reporter who was kidnapped and murdered by terrorists in 2002 in Pakistan. He was not only a journalist, but also a lover of music; as a classically trained violinist, a fiddler and a mandolin player, Pearl used music to connect with people wherever he went. Since his death, every year around Oct.10, his birthday, musicians around the world reach out in friendship to join in "Harmony for Humanity."
The concert will consist of many presentations, including poetry from several cultures, choral music, a wind quintet and other performances.
"Eastern's concert will be an interdisciplinary presentation. The format will be very accessible to all members of the community. It is very interactive and diverse," said Tamara Raatz, associate professor of music.
Joining ENMU students and faculty will be members of the community. The First United Methodist Church Handbell and Children's Handbell Choirs will perform and John Rollinson from Saint James' Church in Clovis will speak regarding peace.
Raatz is responsible for coordinating the concert and will perform a work titled "I Never Saw Another Butterfly - Six songs based on texts by children of the Holocaust (Terezin Concentration Camp 1942-1944)" for soprano and clarinet by Lori Laitman, with Dr. Jean Ornellas, professor of music.
"Our event will be on what would have been his 42nd birthday," Raatz said.
For more information, contact Raatz at 505.562.2374.