Choir Invisible - The Desmond and Leah Tutu Peace Choir.mp4

On Friday, 4 December 2009, before a sell-out audience of over 500 people at Southwell Minster, Nottinghamshire, The Choir Invisible, lead by Sally Brown, were given the unique honour of being named the first 'Desmond and Leah Tutu Peace Choir' in the World. I had the honour of making the announcement on behalf of Archbishop Desmond and Mrs Leah Tutu, who have given me permission to develop the initiative around the world, in support of their own Justice, Peace and Reconciliation work.

The Archbishop first heard Choir Invisible perform outside and inside the King's Hall, Stoke-on-Trent, on 11 July 2008, at a Civic Reception held in his honour. He was, quite simply, spellbound by the choir and an immediate rapport was established. Upon his arrival at the King's Hall, the harmony of the choir, singing a Swahili love song 'Malaika' (My Angel), caused him to stop and listen. When they had finished he walked up to the choir, cheering and applauding and, to the great delight of the choir members, placed his hands over his eyes and said, "If I had closed my eyes, I would have thought it was African voices."

Choir Invisible are now the standard bearers for national choirs around the world to be given the honour of carrying the name of one of humanity's greatest peacemakers and his loving wife and companion, Leah. They set a very high standard indeed!

I recorded this song, 'On Children', with my Nokia N95 Mobile Phone at the launch of the Desmond and Leah Tutu Peace Choir. I am impressed by the quality of the sound, though a professional recording of the entire concert will be available in due course. The Lyrics are by Khalil Gibran and the music by Ysaye M. Barnwell, beautifully arranged by Sally Brown.

I wish to dedicate this recording to the memory of Sally Brown's father who passed away on the previous Tuesday. Sally's dignity, poise and leadership on the night of December 4, therefore, was one of enormous courage and commitment. Sally Brown that night was the personification of Gibran's poetic words: "They are the sons and daughters of life's longing for itself..." Her father, no doubt, was very proud of her.

All the Choir members, her friends, including myself, knew the burden of sadness she carried that night and were in awe of her extraordinary courage, generosity and compassion.

May the Choir Invisible: The Desmond and Leah Tutu Peace Choir, through their love of singing, help to bring solace, healing and great joy to our wounded world that needs desperately to heed the message of the great peacemaker whose name and message they now have the privilege and responsibility of representing.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• The
• Desmond
• and
• Leah
• Tutu
• Peace
• Choir;
• Archbishop
• Tutu;
• Bishop
• Mrs
• Choir
• Invisible;
• Sally
• Brown;
• Don
• Mullan;
• Peacemaker;
• Christmas
• Truce;
• Songs
• of
• Peace;
• the
• Children;
• Our
• Children:
• Khalil
• Gibran;
• Prophet;
• Ysaye
• M.
• Branwell;
• Southwell
• Minster;
• Anglican
• Southern
• Africa;
• Emeritus;
• Nokia;
• Nokia
• N95;
• Mobile
• Phones

[DonMullan1]

Thank you Riokure and Sarah for your lovely comments below. The voices of Choir Invisible: The Desmond and Leah Tutu Peace Choir are truly beautiful. And yes, Sarah, we have many wonderful concerts to look forward to with the inspirational Sally Brown. Put it in your diary now. I'm working on organising the 1st International Christmas Truce Carol Festival in Flanders around December 6, 2010. One choir I really want there is the Tutu Peace Choir. It will be a very moving experience for us all.

[DonMullan1]

When you listen to the quality of this recording, and the beautiful harmony it has captured, just remember it was captured on a Nokia N95 mobile phone. Each time I listen to it I am in awe.

[rabruc07]

good stuff.

Close harmony very enjoyable

good message too.

[PMaguinness]

Superb, what a wonderful song and so well delivered. Archbishop Tutu will be so proud.

[SarahNyree]

I am very proud to be part of such a talented and wonderful family of singers - led by a wonderful and such a inspiration director of music - Sally Brown

Here's to 2010 and more concerts!!

[rlokure]

This song move my soul. I feel like uplifted by the angels to the sky when listening to these INCREDIBLE VOICES. Thank YOU Thank YOU whoever posted this song on Youtube. God bless you. Amazing, I have never heard anything like it.

[anitafile]

feel quite choked to be part ot this brilliant choir.

[masalabe1321]

Thank you so much for posting this!!

I am so proud to have been part of this occassion.

[GerRegan]

Remarkable quality, Don. And a worthy focus for your talents and passion. Thanks for making this available to me.

[singitbig]

So proud of all of us!