Harlem Alumni Ensemble Featured with Dr. Nitobe of BUSHIDO

The Fifth Annual Circle Wind Concert, commemorating the 9.11 tragedy and last year's 3.11 earthquake and tsunami that devastated northeastern Japan, will be held on Monday, September 10th, 2012 at Kaufman Center Merkin Concert Hall at 129 West 67th Street, New York City. The concert begins at 6.30pm. Doors open at 6.00pm. Tickets are $10.00

The concert will feature performances by The Boys and Girls Choir of Harlem Alumni Ensemble. This choir is comprised of a unique team of veteran members of the acclaimed Boys (Girls) Choir of Harlem which had been thrilling audiences around the world for 40 years. The world-renowned choir who was even called "A Twin Choir with Vienna Boys' Choir" performed at the White House, the United nations and the Vatican. In 2001, Seiji Ozawa, the world-famous conductor, invited them to Japan for a concert tour. The choir ended its activity in 2007 with the death of its founder. But some of the alumni have revived the activity and continued their legacy of vocal and artistic performances that earned worldwide acclaim.

This year's concert will also acknowledge the 150th anniversary of the birth of Japanese scients, educator and writer Dr. Inazo Nitobe, whose classic book, "Bushido; The Soul of Japan" (1900) is among the most influential works ever written by a Japanese author. Nitobe was born in Iwate Prefecture, among the areas most devastated by the 3.11 earthquake and tsunami. Nitobe dedicated his life to US-Japan relations, referring to himself as "A Bridge Across the Pacific." In that spirit, the Harlem Alumni Choir is endeavoring to visit homeless shelters in Iwate Prefecture and perform for people who lost their homes in the Tsunami. We, 9.11 Circle Wind Concert, is playing a key role in "The Pacific Bridge Project", and welcoming sponsors who are willing to support their journey to Japan.

Trio de Zunda (piano, violin, clarinet) will also join the concert who were three young Japanese artists inspired to form a group after visiting New York to see their parents perform at the Japan-US Chorus Charity Concert for Sendai, held at Carnegie Hall last May.

Japan Choral Harmony (JCH) will host the concert and Men's Glee Club of New York (MGCNY) will join it. A few more talented young artists will also participate, including a bariton, Mr. Takaoki Onishi, the grand prize winner of the Giulio Gari International Vocal Competition and the winner of Julliard School's Vocal Arts Honors for 2011-2012.

"This Circle Wind Concert pays tribute to the lasting memory of the 9.11 and 3.11 victims as well as inspiring example of our great ancenstors like Inazo Nitobe as we strive to lead better lives" said Mike Shirota, Circle Wind Concert Director.


Ticket : Box Office of Merkin Concert Hall 212-501-3330
Online ticket purchase : www.kaufman-center.org

Contact: Mike Shirota
973-470-0010 (office), 201-264-5825 (cell)
[e-mail]