‘Bridges Of Peace And Hope’ Concert, April 7

DANBURY — Children’s folksinger John Farrell will join a cast of 280 performers from Danbury schools, Western Connecticut State University and the greater Danbury community in a “Bridges of Peace and Hope” concert to be presented at 7:30 pm on Tuesday, April 7, in Ives Concert Hall/White Hall on the university’s midtown campus, 181 White Street.

Mr Farrell, internationally acclaimed for his children’s shows and concerts and his diverse talents as a musician, songwriter, storyteller and educator, will sing “If I Wasn’t Me, I Would Be You” and other selections on the theme of peace-building in schools and society. The concert also will feature performances by the New Hope Baptist Singers and a Nigerian drumming group.

Most of the concert program will be presented by the large cast of student performers from WestConn, Danbury High School, and several middle and elementary schools including Broadview Middle School, Stadley Rough and Roberts Avenue elementary schools, and St. Joseph’s Preschool.

Admission is free.

The concert is part of a continuing project supported by the WCSU President’s Initiatives Fund to further the development of the Peace Curriculum program in the Danbury public school system, and to promote music literacy at all grade levels within the framework of the “Bridges of Peace and Hope” initiative.

WestConn Professor of Education Dr Darla Shaw, coordinator of the project, has conducted workshops and consultations with teachers at participating Danbury schools since the beginning of the school year last fall. The April 7 concert will mark the culmination of months of preparation and rehearsal by students and teachers at the participating schools.

An exhibition in the first floor White Hall lobby at the entrance to Ives Concert Hall will display paintings, drawings, photographs and written works by students participating in the “Bridges of Peace and Hope” project, as well as additional information about the Peace Curriculum in Danbury public schools.

For more information about the concert, Dr Darla Shaw at 837-8412 or ShawD@Wcsu.edu, or the Office of University Relations at 837-8486.