Choir of Notre Dame de Louiaize, Lebanon -- Benefit Concert

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"Voices of Hope from Lebanon" Concert with the Notre Dame University - Louaize Choir: May 24, 2007

Hear "Lebanon Is Ours"

On Thursday, May 24th the choir of Notre Dame University from Louaize, Lebanon performed in a concert at Boston College. The concert was sponsored by Our Lady of the Cedars of Lebanon church, American Friends of NDU and the World Lebanese Cultural Union and hosted by Boston College. It was the first time the choir has performed in Boston and the last concert of a three city American tour that included performances in Los Angeles and Detroit.

The choir’s tour was part of the university’s 20th anniversary celebrations in which they wanted to raise the awareness of the university’s educational and cultural programs among the American Lebanese community. The tour was part of an ongoing initiative to build relationships with American universities and further develop the American Friends of NDU support group.

The choir, which is under the direction of Father Khalil Rahme, featured the soloist Aida Tomb (Ronza) and performed a variety of musical pieces including hymns, popular Lebanese love songs and folkloric pieces by the like of the Rahbani brothers and Zaki Nassif. Legendary master percussionist Michel Merhej accompanied the choir. Michel Merhej has taught at the Lebanon’s National Conservatory and played with the Rahbani brothers, Fairuz and currently plays with the brilliant composer and performed Simon Shaheen and his ensemble.

The choir was also accompanied by an outstanding string quartet from the Newton Symphony Orchestra. The performance also featured some original compositions by Father Rahme including “Lebanon is Ours” and the premiere performance of “Charbel Makhlouf”, both of which received enthusiastic standing ovations from the audience as did many other pieces.

At the end of the performance the concert organizing committee presented the university with a check of the proceeds of concert in the amount of $10,000 to be used for scholarships for students requiring financial assistance.

About the Choir --

Many thanks to all those who attended, supported and worked on the May 24, 2007 "Voices of Hope from Lebanon" concert with The Choir of Notre Dame University - Louaize, Lebanon.   Also, a very special thanks to the choir whose presence and performance was an unforgettable gift to the Boston community.  As a result of the overwhelming attendance of the concert $10,000 was raised to benefit NDU scholarships for students in need of financial assistance.

Sincerest regards from the concert sponsors; Our Lady of the Cedars of Lebanon Church, American Friends of NDU-Louaize & the World Lebanese Cultural Union (WLCU).

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October 2006

Benefit Concert with Simon Shaheen and El-Qantara band

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Concert for Lebanon's Children

Sincerest thanks and appreciation to those whe attended and supported the "Concert for Lebanon's Children" with Simon Shaheen and Qantara on October 20, 2006. Through everyone's generosity, funds were raised to benefit the Chronic Care Center of Lebanon and the Lebanese Association of SOS Children's Villages.   

   

            

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Humanitarian Assistance For Lebanon:

The commitment to humanitarian assistance for Lebanon grows.  The WLCU has initiated a fundraising campaign to rebuild the Al Inaya hospital in Ain Ebel in Lebanon.  

The Greater Boston chapter has raised funds for the Chronic Care Center in Lebanon and the Lebanese Association of SOS Children's Villages.  They have also made donations to the Hidanat al Tufl orphanage in Lebanon.  Other WLCU chapters have also taken initiatives for humanitarian assistance