…a rousing music symposium of hope. A genuine, talented plea for peace in the next millennium. – Jennifer Dunning, New York Times, September 11, 2007
In our fifteenth year, we reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and look to the future, and we are thrilled to bring you our latest news.
May 21, 2015 | Give Us Hope at the National September 11 Memorial Museum
Just one year ago today, the National September 11 Memorial Museum opened to the public, after a solemn and moving dedication ceremony 6 days earlier. We are deeply honored that Give Us Hope, written by Jim Papoulis, has become a part of history at this museum and can be heard as visitors walk through the final room.
May 15, 2015 | A look at a project at an orphanage in the Dominican Republic
A recent project took us to the Dominican Republic, working with the children of Orfanato Niños de Cristo, an orphanage in La Romana.
Composers Francisco J. Núñez and Jim Papoulis, and a group of arts and music education leaders recently visited the children of Orfanato Niños de Cristo, a project of the Núñez Initiative: Social Change Through the Choral Arts. This particular project was inspired by a previous visit of the Young People’s Chorus of New York City to the Dominican Republic, a trip of which Sophia Papoulis was honored to be a part.
They were enchanted by the children’s youthful energy and joy, and were absolutely awe-struck by their raw musical talent. The children sang in tune naturally, with great rhythm and incredible passion and helped Francisco and Jim create a new song: “Love Will Let Me Live,” revealing their feelings of hope.
Below, you can see the project in action for yourself in a film that captures a day in the life of the children and integrates footage from the songwriting session. The children sing the song in Spanish, English, and Italian, the three languages that they hear in the orphanage. Their music calls attention to other abandoned children, who dream of a better life. This song is their message to the world.
MUSIC AND LYRICS
Francisco J. Núñez | Jim Papoulis | The children of the orphanage, “Orfanato Niños de Cristo”
In the darkness, the sky will shine
There is light in me that doesn’t stop shining
Children, let’s all sing, let’s all dream
Love will let me live
Hey, look we are here
Look we are calling out to you
Children, let’s all sing, let’s all dream
Love will let me live