New Orleans Initiative

MISSION:

Grounded in our Unitarian-Universalist faith, we pledge to promote awareness within the congregation of the long-term nature of the rebuilding of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, to engage the congregation in the rebuilding of New Orleans through both hands-on and financial support, and to advocate on behalf of the people of New Orleans.

 Friday, May 9 at 8:00 in the Sanctuary:

SONGS OF STORM AND HOPE

A Tribute to New Orleans

A Benefit Recital with Julie Kierstine, soprano

and David Holkeboer, piano

Soprano Julie Kierstine found her trip to New Orleans as an All Souls volunteer in January a “life transforming event.”

“I came back to New York thinking, there must be SOMETHING more I can do, she says. The answer is “Songs of Storm and Hope,” a Friday, May 9, concert in the All Souls Sanctuary. The title was inspired by conversations the singer had with fellow relief workers after witnessing the inner strength and faith of residents who remain in their hurricane devastated city.

The texts of the songs Julie has chosen address storms in the literal sense: winds, raging water, for example, and, of course, hope They come from a variety of composers: European masters Schubert, Debussy, and Poulenc as well as Americans Samuel Barber, Charles Ives and Lee Hoiby. She will be accompanied by pianist David Holkeboer.

“Much of America seems to be under the misapprehension that recovery is near completion and people are getting on with their lives when, in fact, just the opposite is true.”
Proceeds from the concert will go to the Resurrection Furniture Bank, which provides new and lightly used furniture free to residents who are still unable to get back to their homes and require things like beds to sleep in and a table on which to eat.

Julie Kierstine and Lucy Garcia,
painting a building in New Orleans

Julie is an award-winning soprano has worked with such renowned conductors as Lorin Maazel, Donald Runnicles and Massimo Zanetti, and has received critical praise for her performances in opera as well as concert and recital repertoire. Of performances with The Cleveland Chamber Symphony, Donald Rosenberg of the Cleveland Plain Dealer wrote, "Julie Kierstine was magnificent in traversing the varied demands. Her timbre was silvery, and her control of techniques, complete.”

You won’t want to miss this the opportunity to hear her. The concert begins at 8 p.m., and tickets may be purchased at the door for $20 and in advance for $15, Tickets are beeing sold at All Souls at coffee hour, or you can email Kim Calder at kcalder@nyc.rr.com. All the money will go to the furniture bank and donations are tax deductible.