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BRIDGING THE GAP BRINGS COMMUNITIES TOGETHER

American Music Festivals realized its greatest success to date with Bridging the Gap: An Interfaith Concert of Muslim and Jewish Music, Celebrating 500 Years of Friendship in Bosnia and Herzegovina.  The September 2nd program at the American Islamic College was presented in collaboration with the American Islamic Center of Bosniaks and the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs.  Its theme of cooperation and understanding was acknowledged in a proclamation from Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who named September 2nd “American Music Festivals Day in Chicago.”  

Click to read the Mayoral Proclamation

The power of cultural exchange was evident in the first row of the auditorium where the new Israeli Consul General, Mr.Roey Gilad sat beside Mr. Fatih Yildiz, Consul General of Turkey.  Each spoke passionately of the importance of interfaith relations, and the friendship that has existed between Jews and Muslims in the Balkans, which began with the Inquisition, lasted through the Holocaust and Bosnian Genocide, and now continues in 21st Century Chicago.


A diverse audience of Bosniaks and Jews were joined by Chicago’s interfaith community, and classical music aficionados of all ages.  They were treated to concert of Jewish and Muslim music by the Lincolnwood Chamber Orchestra, conducted by American Music Festivals Artistic Director Philip Simmons.  The concert also included works by Christian composers inspired by Muslim traditions.  The US Premiere of Josip Slavenski’s Muslimani featured Imam Senad Agic chanting with the orchestra, accompanied by the Chicago Syntagma Musicum Chorus.  Chicago composer Ilya Levinson’s Shtetl Scenes was introduced by Rabbi Neil Brief, who spoke elegantly on behalf of the Jewish community.  Music of John Williams from the movie “Munich” and traditional Bosnian Sevdah and popular music rounded out the program.


The accompanying photo exhibit “Remembering the Genocide in Bosnia and Herzegovina” by Sam Hadzalic, Outreach Director for American Music Festivals, drew compelling comparisons between the Bosniak and Jewish experience.




 

West Side Story in Minsk May 23-24, 2012

Orchestra of the Hawaiian Islands

Lincolnwood Chamber Orchestra
2012 Concert Series Continues October 14th at the Harris Theater!

Tutti Chamber Orchestra
Community outreach and diversity

International Programming
Sharing music and culture around the world

 

Mission and Vision

American Music Festivals (AMF) is a nonprofit corporation which promotes cultural exchange and American music in the United States and abroad.  AMF is the presenter of the Orchestra of the Hawaiian Islands and the Lincolnwood Chamber Orchestra (Chicago), and participates in a variety of programs of international exchange.

AMF collaborates with presenters, educational institutions, and like-minded civic organizations to present live classical music performances which bring people together and create greater understanding. AMF’s inclusive philosophy allows opportunities for ensembles and artists to share their talents with diverse communities, often reaching underserved audiences.

With concerts on the world's major stages, and community based programming directed at outreach and education, AMF has the possibility to make a difference in every person’s life on our planet. AMF facilitates classical music programming through administrative cooperation and is committed to artistic excellence.

AMF’s cultural achievements can lead directly to new business initiatives, improved international relations, humanitarian efforts, and meaningful philanthropy. AMF believes that all artistic projects, regardless of size, are possible through effective communication.  Sensitive to the heritage and history of people from all backgrounds, AMF programs repertoire and artists representative of the American classical experience alongside the music of other traditions.

 

 

 

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