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Why Jordan: A History Of Our TripThe relationship between the Boston Children’s Chorus and the King goes back to 2007. The BCC performed at an event at the Harvard Club at which the western-educated King Abdullah was in attendance. David Howse, BCC’s new executive director, recalls, “I could see that the King was really into it and really inspired.” Following the performance, the King met with the kids. “He comes in in a regular suit, shakes every hand, talks to every kid, says ‘I was really inspired by what you did, what you represent; this is how things should really work’ and vowed his continued support.” Since then, official channels of communication have remained open between the BCC and the King through His Excellency Senator Akel Biltaji. (Mr. Biltaji, who served under King Hussein prior to working with his son, King Abdullah, currently serves as Chairman of the Tourism and Heritage House Committee, a member of the Foreign Relations, Health and Environment and Education House Committees.) This opportunity to explore the trove of native music abroad coincides with Artistic Director Anthony Trecek-King’s desire to teach about relations between the Western and Middle Eastern worlds through music. While in Jordan, 60 members of the BCC, ages 12-18, will tour the country and give a series of performances – at venues in Amman as well as rural areas around the country – including one on July 4, at the American Embassy. Boston Children’s Chorus wishes to thank State Street; the U.S. Embassy, Amman; Jordanian Tourism Board; Royal Jordanian Airlines; Pepsi; Converse; Marriot; Next Street; Blue Cross Blue Shield; The Royal Hashemite Court, and Senator Aqel Biltaji, for their support.
July 10, 2009 Jordan Tour: Days Nine and Ten!
Jordan Tour ItineraryTUESDAY, JUNE 30, 2009DEPART from Boston WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2009Arrive in Jordan THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2009PERFORMANCE at ZENID, followed by an interactive workshop between the BCC and 80 Jordanian children, ages 10-15, from around west Amman PERFORMANCE at the Children’s Museum FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2009VISIT Souk Jara SATURDAY, JULY 4, 2009PERFORMANCE at US Embassy SUNDAY, JULY 5, 2009PERFORMANCE at Zarqa Cultural Center MONDAY, JULY 6, 2009STUDENT EXCHANGE at King’s Academy TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2009VISIT Karak Castle PERFORMANCE at Al Hussein Cultural Center WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 2009VISIT Dead Sea THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2009VISIT Petra FRIDAY, JULY 10, 2009VISIT Aqaba SATURDAY, JULY 11, 2009DEPART Jordan SUNDAY, JULY 12, 2009ARRIVE in Boston
Boston-area youths head to Middle East carrying message of peace through harmony with Boston Children’s ChorusSingers traveling to Jordan as goodwill ambassadors, will document trip via social mediaBOSTON (June 4, 2009) – A chance meeting has become the opportunity of a lifetime for a young group of Boston singers. Fifty-five youths, ranging in age from 11 to 18, and from vastly different racial, religious, ethnic and economic backgrounds will travel to Jordan this summer with the Boston Children’s Chorus at the invitation of His Majesty King Abdullah II. “This is an unprecedented opportunity for these kids to foster cross-cultural understanding in a country that continually represents peace in one of our world’s most conflict-ridden regions,” said Artistic Director Anthony Trecek-King. “It gives our young singers a new stage on which to celebrate diversity and unity, and to share the universal message of peace through the universal language of music.” The tour was borne of the invitation of His Majesty King Abdullah II, who was inspired by a performance by the chorus during a visit to Boston in 2007. The singers come from more than 35 communities throughout greater Boston, and will be accompanied by 10 chaperones during the trip from June 30-July 11. They will give 5-6 performances at venues in Amman and the many rural towns in the kingdom; participate in cultural and musical workshops across the country; and may also perform for the king. It also provides the youths with an unforgettable chance to learn about a foreign culture and its history by forming friendships across global boundaries. The singers have been participating in a pre-tour educational program to learn the customs and history of the country. They will be posting live blogs and pictures during the trip, updating Facebook and the BCC website, www.bostonchildrenschorus.org, as well as keeping journals and filming various activities. BCC unites children, families and community leaders from Boston’s diverse racial, ethnic, socio-economic and geographic backgrounds to sing and celebrate, develop relationships, break down social barriers and contribute to the healing of Boston’s history of racial divides and social isolation.
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