 |
| Chin Injeti, Tonye Aganaba, Colleen Rennison |
Thanks to my friends who came out last
night to support my new favourite charity, Instruments Beyond
Borders. A women in front of us summed up the evening perfectly when
she said, “The only thing wrong with tonight was that it had to
end.” We all agreed, but this morning my opinion has changed; it's
a good thing that the concert ended. While we could have stayed there
indefinitely, that was not the purpose of the evening.
The purpose of the evening was to fill our hearts with music, and to
inspire us to share with others. That purpose could only be achieved
if we got out of our seats and back into the world where the message
about Instruments Beyond Borders still needs to be heard. Their work
providing funds and instruments to groups like the The Saint James
Music Society and the Landfill Harmonic Orchestra of Cateura
Paraguay
is inspirational and heart-warming.
There were many generous hearts in the
Fei & Milton Wong Experimental Theatre at SFU Woodward's last
night. The sold-out event attracted some of Vancouver's top
entrepreneurs and philanthropists; in this city there is a strong
correlation between success in business and success in supporting
great causes. Finding creative ways to weave business and charity
together is part of the fabric of Vancouver's economy, and it's
something I'm proud to support. Notables in the “Big Band Circle
of Donors” included:
Peter Brown, Samir Manji (Amica),
Steve Curtis, (ZAG Group), Garry Zlotnik (ZLC Financial), Erez Behar,
(Davidson & Co.) Manny Padda, Shafin Diamond, Theo Sanidas,
Praveen Varshney, (Mogo Financial) Murray Leith, Marina Newson, and
Marcello Leone, (RYU). Community Partners included: SFU Woodward's,
Prussin Music, Moksha Yoga Vancouver, Float House, M&R
Environmental, and the Ben and Esther Dayson Charitable Foundation.
As Georgia O’Keeffe
said, “To create one's world in any of the arts takes courage”.
If you wonder how an organization as young as IBB pulled off such an
extraordinary event and attracted so much support, it's because they
had the courage to do so. They see the world as it is, and despite
that, do not lose sight of the vision for what it could be. They are
creating a world where children are given musical instruments;
instead of a world where they fashion them out of the garbage we
throw away. They are creating a world where inner city kids stand on
stage with world class professionals wielding violin bows; instead of
on the corner with gangs wielding guns. They are creating a world
where what we earn grows from what we give; a world where politics,
race, religion, and nationality are not boundaries that divide us,
but borders we go beyond thanks to the transcendent power of music.
Why are they able to achieve so much? My firm belief is because they
bothered to try. They didn't sit around lamenting what couldn't be
done, they got together and did what they could. Thanks to the generosity
of last night's attendees and the organizers who brought them
together, today they will be able to do a little more, and tomorrow
more than that.
 |
| Lynn Colliar with Dan Payne holding a violin made from recycled materials |
Good
humour to get the audience going and keep the program on track was
supplied by Lynn Colliar and Dan Payne, who introduced an amazing
lineup of musical guests. Among these were: Ryan Guldemond, Jasmin
Parkin, Tonye Aganaba, and Colleen Rennison, all of whom jammed with
Chin Injeti, winner of three Grammies and two Junos. The evening
also included the St. James Music Academy Senior Orchestra, Van Djano
and the Borealis String Quartet. Cameron Wilson performed with
Vancouver Kingsway MP Don Davies.
 |
| Cameron Wilson and Don Davies |
The
only “off colour joke” came during this set; and by “off
colour” I mean it was a reference to a political colour not
ordinarily found in my inkwell. While I do not normally wave “the
Orange flag”, I was clapping loudly at Davies' entertaining
performance, and today commend him for his support of this cause.
Davies' inspiring performance causes me to send out a challenge to
all MP's to get behind Instruments Beyond Borders; especially those
who could join in on stage. Don Davies, perhaps next year you might
consider a violin and piano performance? If so, there might be
another politician willing to join you (stage right of course).
Might I also suggest that a bit of the “Blues” be added to the
program? As I said IBB inspires people from all walks of life and
across the political spectrum; thanks for sharing the spotlight next
year with any politicians willing to join in.
While unable to attend, Vancouver Mayor
Gregor Robertson sent a video message of support as did Bramwell
Tovey of the VSO. I'm so glad to know IBB has such support in this
city. The event struck the perfect balance between a top rate
performance and a casual kitchen party, where music flows
spontaneously among friends. Among my friends in the audience I was
pleased to welcome Shastine Hudson and Natalie Sonnen (Director of
Life Canada).
This year I've been blessed many times
to be invited to work on music projects with some amazingly talented
musicians; the happiest messages I get in my inbox are those
containing audio files from musicians who have set my lyrics to the
their work. There is something wonderful about creating a work that
blends another person's talents with one's own; when we learn the
skills to collaborate in music, we learn the skills to collaborate in
life. IBB is not just giving children instruments, they are giving
them a life.
As I looked around the audience last
night I thought: “This is my tribe.” These are the people who
understand the importance children, the power of music, the tools of
business, and the perennial need each generation has to collaborate
to improve the world they inherited, so that it might be better when they pass it on to the next generation. These are the people who transcend boundaries to get
done the jobs worth doing. If you have similar values and a
willingness to contribute to this tribe, consider this your
invitation do so.
Please check out
http://www.instrumentsbeyondborders.org/
for ways you might lend your support.
 |
| Ryan Guldemond, Chin Injeti, Tonye Aganaba Jammin' for IBB |
proudly supports Instruments Beyond Borders.
