Here are some notes about the recent concerts to benefit the victims of the crisis in Darfur.

AVE presented a single program set for its third concert season with a program that was somewhat unusual: the concert was intended to raise awareness of the plight of individuals in Darfur through the universally human medium of music and dance. This was AVE's first occasion of its combining a concert with such a significant social issue of global concern.

Featuring Duarte Lobo's lush setting of the requiem text (scored in eight-parts), the concert was not intended as a funeral for a nation, but as a catalyst for empathy and alignment with human tragedy and suffering. Lobo (1565 - 1646) is considered the greatest of the Portuguese polyphonists. He served as mestre de capela in Lisbon, and is noted for his impassioned style of writing – a perfect complement to tragedy looming in the Sudan today.

John Sheppard (1512 - 1558) was one of the two finest Tudor composers (the other being Tallis). His motet Media vita ("In the midst of life, we are in death") is also scored in eight-part writing, and is especially appropriate for this occasion.

Herbert Howells's piece, "Take him, earth, for cherishing" was commissioned in 1963 to be sung at the memorial service for President John F. Kennedy. An extremely effective piece of music and literature (from a fourth century poem by Aurelius Prudentius), this piece was beautifully danced by modern dancer Noelle Morris.

The concert featured a speaker who is a refugee from Darfur. Opportunity for contributions to humanitarian efforts to relieve some of the suffering there were presented. It is the belief of the musicians that music has a special way of touching the heart, creating a sense of our common humanity. The Arts are not isolated from our social context, but very much affected by it. This is our way of stating our love and understanding for these people.

Over 3.9 million people are adversely affected by the violence within Sudan's borders, and rely on humanitarian aid just for survival. Recent information has indicated that the genesis of the problem lies in global warming, which, in turn, reduced the amount of arable land, ultimately creating a fight between the herders and the farmers. This being the case, the Western world shares some responsibility in causing the destitution and therefore we should find ways to assist the victims.


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