NEW YORK, NY (Rochon Perry/ Black Ink) - The Daniel Pearl Foundation (www.danielpearl.org) announced that Steve Reich, one of contemporary music's most influential composers and a pioneer of the minimalist 'New Music' movement, has joined the Honorary Committee for Daniel Pearl Music Days 2005, a global network of performances to be held October 1-10 under the theme "Harmony for Humanity."
Inspired by the life of murdered journalist Daniel Pearl, who played with a variety of classical, folk, bluegrass and jazz groups, to make friends and bridge cultural differences wherever he traveled, Music Days began in 2002 as an international 'jam session' to commemorate Pearl's birthday and his belief that music is a language that knows no boundaries. In 2004 over 400 concerts in 39 countries – professional and amateur – participated in this international phenomenon (www.musicdays.org).
'I am currently working on a new vocal/instrumental piece titled 'Daniel Variations', whose text will be taken from both the Biblical Book of Daniel and the words of Daniel Pearl', said Reich. 'I am very pleased to be associated with the Music Days Committee and its mission of creating and performing music in the hopes that it will help diminish hatred and increase respect for differences.'
'The Daniel Pearl Music Days Honorary Committee spans a wide variety of musical genre and includes Sir Elton John, Hamza el Din, Herbie Hancock, Yo-Yo Ma, Ravi Shankar, Salman Ahmad, Yefim Bronfman, Ida Haendel, Tania Libertad, Zubin Mehta, Itzhak Perlman, Mohammad Reza Shajarian and John Williams. With the addition of the highly acclaimed Reich, the Music Days committee expands its outreach to fans of avant-garde contemporary music.
'There is no fundraising or financial obligation to participate in Music Days,' explained Judea Pearl, father of Daniel Pearl and president of the Daniel Pearl Foundation. 'Musicians can dedicate a song or full concert, a DJ can dedicate a radio show; an orchestra can dedicate a performance, single composition, or open rehearsal; a youth group can perform at school or a sports event – the possibilities are endless.'
For 2005, Daniel Pearl Music Days will expand its reach by introducing 'Harmony for Humanity' e-Stage, a web-based collection of selected words and music inspired by the Music Days 2005 theme. A dedicated internet radio station will play original songs and compositions, as well as other related music and suggested song lists. The Daniel Pearl Foundation welcomes contributions of music, lyrics, poems and related articles for possible use on the 'Harmony for Humanity' e-Stage.
To register a Music Days 2005 event, or to dedicate an already scheduled performance, please visit www.musicdays.org. To submit original music, poems, articles and suggestions to the 'Harmony for Humanity' e-Stage, please visit www.musicdays.org/eStage.htm.
The Daniel Pearl Foundation was formed in memory of journalist Daniel Pearl, whose murder by terrorists in Pakistan in 2002 touched millions of people worldwide. The Foundation's mission is to promote cross-cultural understanding through journalism, music, and innovative communications. For more information please visit www.danielpearl.org.
