We are One! Joy from VOICES
There’s an old soft drink commercial from the 60’s or 70’s, I think, with the catchy tune of “I’d like to teach the world to sing, in perfect harmony…” Philip Hamilton’s VOICES brings that hope of one harmonious world into reality. With musical artists from Uruguay, Cameroon/France, India, Puerto Rico/Miami, New York, Boston/Jamaica, Georgia, and California, the VOICES tribe spans the globe with musical styles making a joyful sound around Portland. From LearningWorks to Portland Arts and Technology High School (PATHS) to Hannaford Supermarket on Forest Avenue and USM Portland’s Hannaford Hall, people from all ages and backgrounds experienced the power of harmony to lift their spirits and empower them to share their own gifts with others. One teacher called the experience for her group, “Transformative!”
Some of the VOICES tribe spoke with me about their deep reverence of their musical gifts, coming from a higher power, and the responsibility they felt about sharing the power of live music to impact humanity in a positive way. “Music is a universal language that transcends us all and speaks directly to the soul,” Harry Bayron stated in one of the workshops. Students, teachers and chaperones joined in the tribe when Philip or Anointed S asked for audience participation or to provide a vocal response to a “call.” More than one brave student volunteered to go up on stage and do a beat boxing duel! No matter what the activity, all the members of the audience found their own groove, and felt empowered—no matter what age, language, or place of birth. It was another “happening.”
I was amazed at how quickly the tribe’s vocal styles and techniques could come together musically and professionally in just a few hours to tweak and tune their performances. With or without amplification, their voices penetrated into my heart and inspired me. As I drove some of them around Portland, I felt peacefulness and joy exuding from them even though they were exhausted from traveling in a van for 4 hours, then performing one activity after another without a break. They had been on the road since 6 am on Thursday. They shared their talents, their hearts, and their optimism for the future with everyone through song. Their music inspired me to see myself as part of a larger “tribe” because after all, ”We are One!”
I hope that many of those attending lecture/demonstrations, workshops from February or yesterday, or the school-time performance today will participate in another happening with VOICES again this evening at 8pm at USM Portland’s Hannaford Hall. Tell us what you thought of the performances or the outreach events.
Philip Hamilton says:
Thanks Barri Lynn for your observation.
It was a joy to perform for such a young and enthusiastic audience. We had a blast at the morning show and we hope that we inspired all who attended both concerts to continue to dream and be creative. Voices started as a small dream, grew into a cool idea and now we are watching it reach new heights.
This is the overall message of Voices. Each of us has a voice. Get to know yours. Celebrate its individuality, but understand the power of using it with others.
It was a pleasure to share it with you and the community of Portland. Thanks again.