Voices to come from the heart of Croatia

By Deborah McDermott

Next year, members of the Seacoast women's chorus Voices from the Heart will be leaving America and traveling to a part of the world not commonly on most tourist itineraries.

Croatia and Slovenia, not so many years ago a war-ravaged land in Eastern Europe, will be their home away from home for 10 days next July. During that time, more than 100 chorus members will travel up the coastline of the Adriatic Sea, giving concerts along the way and making connections with people in the way they know best -- through music.

This group known for choosing not only international pieces to sing, but also those espousing peace and justice, has added a humanitarian and ambitious twist. It is committed to raising $25,000 -- including proceeds from all concerts in the next year as well as all those on the trip -- for the organization Adopt a Minefield.

Adopt a Minefield, a campaign of the United Nations Association of the USA, is perhaps best known for its two spokespeople, Paul McCartney and his ex-wife Heather, and has attracted the attention of a number of music and film stars.

Its aim is to remove mines in several specific countries around the world -- including Croatia. Beginning in 1991 when it declared its independence from Yugoslavia, the country was at war until 1995.

"There are whole parts of the country where people still can't live," said Voices director Joanne Connolly. "It costs $3 to make a mine and $1,000 to remove it."

Voices will be holding a special auction this coming Saturday, Sept. 16, at the Jarvis Center in Portsmouth to begin fund raising for the minefield organization. Connolly said the group is particularly excited because if it raises $25,000, a section of the minefield will be cordoned off and named for it as benefactor.

Moreover, an international organization, the International Trust Fund for Demining and Mine Victims Assistance, will match dollar for dollar all donations earmarked for Croatia.

But it is the singing that draws the chorus to the region. Its repertoire is already rich in Eastern European tunes, and the group intends to learn more songs in preparation for the trip.

Connolly and Voices president Becky May harkened back to a trip the chorus took to Ireland in 2001, when they raised money for battered women's shelters there.

"Ireland was one of the most exciting experiences I've had in my entire life," Connolly said. "To be with women I love to sing with, but also having the deepening aspect of raising money for (shelters) -- it was very special."

May said she believes this trip will be just as important.

The trip is already a year in the planning by a dedicated committee of Voices members who looked at various locations around the world.

The chorus will be traveling along the coast, not near the more war-torn parts of the country. It expects to hook up with at least two local choruses and sing with them.

"We can feel these songs we sing, and we know they are powerful, but to experience what it means to someone from that country, that's very moving," Connolly said. "The music will connect us and break down the barriers."

For more information about the auction or about other Voices concerts, visit http://www.voicesfromtheheart.org.


taken from Portsmouth Herald News