Choir of Joy (Joqat al Farah) US Tour

My name is Hadi Yaziji. I live in Miami, FL. I am writing this post a few days after the marvelous performance of the choir in Jacksonville, which I had the honor of attending in person. Even though I’ve known the choir for decades and I’m well aware of their very high level of sophistication, this live performance took my feelings to a whole different level. That was one of the most memorable nights in my entire life. It is difficult for words to describe the feeling of joy, pride and excitement that I had during and after the show. You can also sense it on the faces of these innocent kids who gave it their best despite their exhaustion–as if they knew they were up to something big– planting the seeds for the future. This performance was above and beyond a marvelous performance. It indeed took us all by surprise, and kind of reminded us that this unbelievable group is ‘imposing’ a deep message of peace, power and respect to that part of the world. I have no doubt that this trip has already done a great job in building a solid bridge between Syria and the US, both culturally and politically. They earned the respect of their viewers, with all the national news coverage they received. It’s indeed a blessing.

I would be honored to participate in some sort of foundation that will facilitate bringing the choir back to the US for more performances, hopefully each year, to spread the word of peace and respect through music.

See you in Miami in 2010 or 2011.

Unfortunately, we came to the end of the Choir’s trip, very happy for the great results we had, the wonderful impression they left in people’s minds and the health and safety of everybody, yet sad that the wonderful days we spent are over.

As far as I know the first group arrived safe and sound and the second is on its way. 

Back to where we left. The Disney performance on the 3rd of March was a great one. It was on an open stage, in the air, with people passing by and listening to the kids singing. What was really great is people’s reactions. They asked for an extra song at the end of the performance and some of them asked about the blog to write some comments for the Choir.

After finishing the performance, the Choir went to Hollywood Studios, one of Disney’s parks. I’m sorry for not adding photos but i didn’t go with them and didn’t get the chance to take some photos before they leave to Syria… You will be seeing all of them in person hopefully, in case you didn’t already.

Yesterday, the first group of the Choir left to Damascus, while the other group went for a half a day to Disney. The kids were having a blast. 

Today, the second group packed and it’s on its way hopping it arrives safe and sound…

Now, at the end of this tour, I would like to thank everybody who worked to make this dream come true; the Detroit team, the Jacksonville team, the Orlando team, all the people who volunteered their time and effort to assist the Choir during its tour, and the biggest thanks go to the Kennedy Center for inviting the Choir to perform in “Arabesque” festival, which initiated the idea of this tour. On the other end of the world I would like to thank all the parents for their support, before and after the Choir’s departure, their faith in its mission and their confidence in the Choir’s leaders. In the end, a great thank you to all the Choir’s members who volunteered a lot of their time and effort to show the whole world what Syria and the Syrians, children and adults, truly are. 

Last but not least, I apologize for all the delays in reporting. I know all parents were very anxious to hear, read and see their kids, and i’m sorry if the photos didn’t include all the kids but honestly I didn’t have a lot of time to make sure that everybody is there. Hopping that this won’t be a once in a life time tour, and that next time I will be more organized.

I’m really sorry for all the delay in reporting but there has been a lot of performances and traveling in the past week, as you all well know.

So we left Detroit in two groups, heading to Orlando on the 28th of February. the first group arriving had the chance to visit the Epcot center which is one of Disney land’s parks. We took a few rides and then watched the must see park’s fireworks cause it is also a water and laser show, all in one.

on the first of March we went to Jacksonville where the choir had a Mass at the St Ephrem Syriac Catholic Church

At night, they performed at the Ritz Theater. Although nobody advertised for this performance the theater was fully booked, and it looks like all the audience, Arabs and American, were looking for a marvelous performance, but they got more than that. At the end of the performance Father Zihlawi had a few words thanking all the efforts done to make this tour a reality, while the committee had a bouquet of flowers to thank Claudia, the conductor of the Choir.

I need to get going now, and will be giving you some more updates tonight.

I’m really sorry and i do apologize for not posting anything in the past couple of days but it’s been really busy around here.

so just a quick note now to tell you all that everybody is doing great. we came back from Jacksonville after a marvelous performance that i will talk about hopefully tomorrow, cause it’s 3am here and i think that going to sleep now is a good idea.

have a wonderful day and i promise to write a detailed report tomorrow night (Monday night that is)

I have just a quick update for parents, and Choir fans

We just got back from an absolute marvelous performance. God bless them all. 

I am sorry I don’t have photos to share, they all went back to Orlando immediately after the show was over. 

Just a little note to parents, please don’t get worried when you don’t find new info on the blog, it is not (thank God) because of anything bad; rather, a lot happening to the extent that no one literally, has any minute to spend on the blog.

All kids are happy, ready for some fun, as the most serious performances are over, but truly in a spectacular way! 

They made us really proud!

I hope (and pray) that this trip will lead to a bigger commitment to this unbelievable dream coming true! Hopefully to bigger one too! Especially as they felt first hand how important and great their message is; how people (even non Arabs) were swept by their electrifying performances!

 Hopefully they come back home with some unforgettable happy memories.

God bless all.

A short post to let you know that all is well. The Choir arrived in Orlando safe and sound.