HARMONY: Atlanta’s International Youth Chorus received the
“BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS”
award
October 06, 2004

In 2004, HARMONY: Atlanta’s International Youth Chorus received the Blessed Are the Peacemakers Award for promoting community, peace, and justice. HARMONY’s young singers embody diversity, representing a variety of cultures, races, nations, and faiths. They perform music from all over the world, singing in over 35 languages. By using music as a barrier breaker and a powerful medium of communication and self-expression, HARMONY exemplifies the belief that training culturally diverse children to perform together benefits the quality of life in communities and the world in a tangible way.

HARMONY is known for its partnership with peacemaking leaders and groups. When this international youth chorus sang for the 2003 celebration of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Jimmy Carter in Atlanta’s Symphony Hall, President Carter wrote: “Of all the lovely performances we enjoyed in Oslo, nothing touched us as deeply as the beautiful voices of the Harmony Youth Chorus. They left us uplifted and filled with hope for the future, and for that we are deeply grateful.”

Archbishop Desmond Tutu has also said of HARMONY: “Music knows no Barriers. It connects people, nations, children and adults and makes us realize we were made for family. Sing on.”

HARMONY has performed at a number of events promoting peace, justice, and diversity, including:

• The National Summit of the Children’s Defense Fund in Washington, D.C.
• 2002, 2003 and 2004 multi-faith services commemorating September 11th
• Events for UNICEF, the United Way, United Nations, Martin Luther King, Jr. celebrations, Aga Khan Partnership Walks, and the Georgia First Lady’s Summit on Our Children

HARMONY has also performed for numerous cultural and civic organizations, including the Carter Center, Atlanta Braves, Centennial Olympic Games, National Children’s Chorus, UNICEF Benefit Galas, and United Nations Association.