Mission of “My Name is Lamiya: Don’t Call Me ‘Refugee’” Choral Consortium Commission
The Refugee Awareness Choral Consortium is a group of choirs and individuals bound not only by its mutual love of music, but also by a passionate determination to use its time and talents to benefit others.
The Refugee Awareness Choral Consortium is driven in part by MB Arts, a sole proprietorship and the publishing company of the music and projects of Michael Bussewitz-Quarm.
Intention of performance
Although the choirs and individuals that constitute The Refugee Awareness Choral Consortium come from an array of choral communities drawn from across the country and around the world, each member brings a unique and valuable set of skills, experiences and talents to the consortium. The choirs will prepare their own renditions of “My Name is Lamiya: Don’t Call Me ‘Refugee’” (or the 3-part “Lamiya’s Song”) with the intention of offering a quality performance while raising awareness of the Global Refugee Crisis. We will give generously of our time and talents to master the moving and challenging music and its message.
Timeline of Season
May: Choirs/Sponsors Express Interest
June: Composer/Choir Contracts signed; payments made.
($80 Participating Commissioners/$500 Major Commissioners)
July: Choral Scores completed
August 1: Choral Scores distributed in .pdf format (or in physical format if agreed upon in the specific contract)
September: Rehearsals, Skype Sessions; Premieres Begin
How does “My Name is Lamiya” and “ Lamiya’s Song” connect to the Global Refugee Crisis?
The Songs of Lamiya are written to bring attention to one of the most significant and challenging issues in our world today, the global refugee crisis. Lamiya Safarova lost her home and her community in Azerbaijan when she was only nine. Her family lived in a cardboard shack by the river when she put her thoughts down in the form of a poem. The loss of her home and her community had a profound impact on Lamiya. And so did being classified as a “refugee” by her classmates in school. Her poem gives her a voice.
We will amplify her voice through the power of singing.
Seeking 10 Major Commissioners and 50 Participating Commissioners, as well as up to 50 Individual Sponsors (Individual Sponsors will be printed in the score as sponsoring a choir with limited or no budget)
Composer: Michael Bussewitz-Quarm
Contact: Michael at (516) 729-0970 or to join in singing.
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