Song of Peace
March 2008

“There have been very few periods during my lifetime when there hasn’t been a war somewhere…and at this very moment our thoughts are with all those in regions of the earth who are engaged in conflict.  I think
we have to pray as never before for peace to settle,
as we sing Dona Nobis Pacem”

- Sir David Willcocks
Vancouver, B.C., July 2006

Background:
From international military offensives to ethnically motivated killings to gang warfare, our world is full of violence – every day.  Simply to wish that things were different is not enough to make them so.  This project seeks to bring thousands – or even millions – of voices together to proclaim loudly that peace in our world is of fundamental importance.

The Project:
Music is a powerful force.  It can inspire, fill with joy and awe, and move hearts.  Music can also warn and plead, and it can lament.  Music – and indeed all art – that aspires to something greater than mere beauty has always made a great impression, and can be a voice of warning or commemoration in society. In March 2008, we are seeking to create an international musical appeal for peace, using words that have been sung for centuries: Dona Nobis Pacem - Grant Us Peace.

How to Participate:
Our "Voices of Peace" event with Maya Angelou is the first program on the schedule. If you program one or more “Dona Nobis Pacem” works, or works with other texts that explicitly ask for peace, on a new or already-scheduled concert in March 2008 you can be listed as well.  Inform the organizers (see below) of the date, program, participants and location of your performance. Performances also can be informal (e.g. gathering a group of singers to perform in a park, public square or other non-traditional venue).

How We Will Help:
The goal is to make this an international project, with participation across all 50 states and in multiple countries.  The “Song of Peace” organizers will publicize the events and communicate with the media about the project as a whole.  The more concrete data about the numbers of people and locales involved that we have, the more public attention we will be able to obtain.  We will maintain as comprehensive a database of the Dona Nobis Pacem performances as possible, help connect people who are trying to find a performance or looking for performers, and suggest suitable works.

Questions, Contact, More Info:
For any further information, and to be counted as a participant, please contact info@SongOfPeace.org.  Visit www.SongOfPeace.org for updates, lists of “Dona Nobis Pacem” works, lists of concerts, and more.

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