ince it’s inception in 1985 by Founder and Choral Director Karen Mihalyi, the Syracuse Community Choir has been about much more than making music. It is a radical act of optimism and auditory exclamation of community of activism. SCC choir members sing to build community, to honor sacred traditions, to heal wounds and sing out for those who cannot. SCC includes children, teens and adults and seeks to exemplify through action the principles of peace, equality, justice, stewardship of the Earth, unity and cooperation. 2011 PEOPLE’S PEACE AWARD RECIPIENT:
THE SYRACUSE PEACE COUNCIL, which celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, is the oldest, local, independent peace and social justice organization in the country. From SPC’s beginnings in 1936 as part of the international Emergency Peace Campaign, the Peace Council has maintained a continuous presence seeking to “educate, agitate and organize.”
Over the decades the Syracuse Peace Council has offered a persistent voice in the community, decrying the horrors of war and putting forth a vision of people living together cooperatively and solving problems without the destruction and inhumanity of organized violence. From the earliest days the Syracuse Peace Council has always remained committed to the idea that the efforts and contributions of ordinary people can, and do, change the world.
SCC Choral Director Karen Mihalyi stated, “The Peace Council has been a steady voice for justice to me and for a generation before me. Their work has influenced thousands and thousands of us. They have given hope, inspired courage, educated us, and continued to build a community of peacemakers. I look to this community of people when I am in despair, noticing how the “impossible” seems possible when I join with others and do something. I am humbled by their constancy and hard work. They have helped us to stay honest and reminded us of our responsibilities to each other and the earth. It is for these reason and many more that we chose the Syracuse Peace Council as this years People’s Peace Award recipient.
Past People’s Peace Award honorees include: Geneva Hayden (2010), Marjory Wilkins (2009), The Red Hot Mamas Book and Community Activism Club (2008), Iraq Veterans Against The War (IVAW) (2007), Carl Patrickson (2006), The People of the Onondaga Nation and The Partnership for Onondaga Creek (2005)
SPECIAL GUEST PERFORMER:
CHARLIE KING is a musical storyteller and political satirist, singing passionately about the extraordinary lives of ordinary people. “Grass roots movements create culture. How else do we get the story out? How else do we feed our hearts and souls for the long haul?” For over 40 years this award-winning musician has fullfilled the promise of his statement, feeding souls and hearts national and internationally through his music and activism.
King has sung in support of numerous groups working for peace, human rights, environmental protection and alternatives to violence. In 1977 Charlie King and fellow musician and activist Pete Seeger, founded The People’s Music Network for Songs of Freedom and Struggle, Inc. PMN is a nonprofit organization that serves as a network for musicians, activists, songwriters, concert producers, sound engineers, and others, who use music and culture to promote progressive ideas and values.
Charlie King’s songs have been recorded and sung by performers such as Pete Seeger, Holly Near, Ronnie Gilbert, John McCutcheon, Arlo Guthrie, Peggy Seeger, Chad Mitchell and Judy Small. Honors include an Indie award for one of the top three American folk recordings of 1984. In 1998 King was the recipient of the War Resisters League’s Peacemaker Award. Pete Seeger nominated King for the Sacco-Vanzetti Social Justice Award, which he received in November 1999. Charlie has released a dozen solo albums since 1976. He has also released three albums with the touring ensemble Bright Morning Star, and numerous compilation albums with other artists.
Since it’s inception in 1985 by Founder and Choral Director Karen Mihalyi, the Syracuse Community Choir has been about much more than making music. It is a radical act of optimism and auditory exclamation of community of activism. SCC choir members sing to build community, to honor sacred traditions, to heal wounds and sing out for those who cannot. SCC includes children, teens and adults and seeks to exemplify through action the principles of peace, equality, justice, stewardship of the Earth, unity and cooperation.
2011 PEOPLE’S PEACE AWARD RECIPIENT:
THE SYRACUSE PEACE COUNCIL, which celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, is the oldest, local, independent peace and social justice organization in the country. From SPC’s beginnings in 1936 as part of the international Emergency Peace Campaign, the Peace Council has maintained a continuous presence seeking to “educate, agitate and organize.”
Over the decades the Syracuse Peace Council has offered a persistent voice in the community, decrying the horrors of war and putting forth a vision of people living together cooperatively and solving problems without the destruction and inhumanity of organized violence. From the earliest days the Syracuse Peace Council has always remained committed to the idea that the efforts and contributions of ordinary people can, and do, change the world.
SCC Choral Director Karen Mihalyi stated, “The Peace Council has been a steady voice for justice to me and for a generation before me. Their work has influenced thousands and thousands of us. They have given hope, inspired courage, educated us, and continued to build a community of peacemakers. I look to this community of people when I am in despair, noticing how the “impossible” seems possible when I join with others and do something. I am humbled by their constancy and hard work. They have helped us to stay honest and reminded us of our responsibilities to each other and the earth. It is for these reason and many more that we chose the Syracuse Peace Council as this years People’s Peace Award recipient.
Past People’s Peace Award honorees include: Geneva Hayden (2010), Marjory Wilkins (2009), The Red Hot Mamas Book and Community Activism Club (2008), Iraq Veterans Against The War (IVAW) (2007), Carl Patrickson (2006), The People of the Onondaga Nation and The Partnership for Onondaga Creek (2005)
SPECIAL GUEST PERFORMER:
CHARLIE KING is a musical storyteller and political satirist, singing passionately about the extraordinary lives of ordinary people. “Grass roots movements create culture. How else do we get the story out? How else do we feed our hearts and souls for the long haul?” For over 40 years this award-winning musician has fullfilled the promise of his statement, feeding souls and hearts national and internationally through his music and activism.
King has sung in support of numerous groups working for peace, human rights, environmental protection and alternatives to violence. In 1977 Charlie King and fellow musician and activist Pete Seeger, founded The People’s Music Network for Songs of Freedom and Struggle, Inc. PMN is a nonprofit organization that serves as a network for musicians, activists, songwriters, concert producers, sound engineers, and others, who use music and culture to promote progressive ideas and values.
Charlie King’s songs have been recorded and sung by performers such as Pete Seeger, Holly Near, Ronnie Gilbert, John McCutcheon, Arlo Guthrie, Peggy Seeger, Chad Mitchell and Judy Small. Honors include an Indie award for one of the top three American folk recordings of 1984. In 1998 King was the recipient of the War Resisters League’s Peacemaker Award. Pete Seeger nominated King for the Sacco-Vanzetti Social Justice Award, which he received in November 1999. Charlie has released a dozen solo albums since 1976. He has also released three albums with the touring ensemble Bright Morning Star, and numerous compilation albums with other artists.
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