Refugee Girls’ Chorus Sings Message of Hope

By Josie Huang

PORTLAND, ME — When the girls in the Pihcintu Multicultural Children’s Chorus sing about peace, the tunes have special meaning for them. Many are refugees who fled their homes in Asia, Africa and the Middle East, seeking refuge from war, persecution and famine. 

In their performances – and a new CD – they bring a message of hope to audiences in and around their adopted home of Portland, Maine.

Getting their voices back

At chorus practice this week, it’s business as usual. That means goofing off, braiding each others’ hair and playing with make-up.

But choral director Con Fullam snaps them to attention. “Let’s make this a hot little rehearsal here. Make it happen.”
The girls file into two rows and stare straight at him.

One song, “Bells of Freedom,” was written by Fullam and Judith Abdalla, a founding member of the Pihcinto Multicultural Children’s Chorus.