Although
the night was cool, it could not chill the warm hearts of the people
who had been passionately longing for this moment. With happy smiles
on their faces, thousands of guests dressed in splendid attire gathered
for the special charity concert with the beautiful and profound
theme, "One World... of Peace through Music."
In
this extraordinary concert, one found the most talented musicians
and artists from Hollywood, including producer Steve Cooper, director
Dr. Larry Timm, Masters of Ceremonies Debbie Reynolds and John Moschitta,
Oscar award winning composers Fred Karlin and Bill Conti, Beach
Boys Family and Friends, who were pioneers of rock and roll music
in the 60's, and the Gaelic Storm band that earned world-wide recognition
for its performance in the movie "Titanic". The concert
was held at the aged, yet charming Shrine Auditorium that is also
the venue for the Academy Awards presentations. Its consummate facilities
and magnificent architectural design that allowed creation of special
sound effects made it an ideal place for the performance.
Once
the performance began, the audience was captivated immediately by
the fast speaking skill of the Master of Ceremonies, John Moschittta,
who then introduced the other Master of Ceremonies for the evening,
famous Hollywood movie star, Debbie Reynolds. Ms. Reynolds was beautiful
and pleasant and her humorous and witty manner impressed the audience.
Then the Masters of Ceremonies introduced the first band of the
evening, Gaelic Storm. The music played by Gaelic Storm was so full
of energy that the audience could not refrain from clapping their
hands in time with the traditional Irish melodies. The excellent
performance of the band won the admiration of the audience.
Following
Gaelic Storm was a 60-piece orchestra. Their first performance was
"The Prince," with music composed by Maria Newman, one
of the most noted female composers of modern times. Her father Alfred
Newman has won nine Academy Awards. Indeed it is "like father,
like daughter." The conductor was her husband, George Thatcher,
an outstanding composer, songwriter, lyricist, and brass player.
His abundant accomplishments have left marks in various musical
fields, including background music for movies, popular music, and
jazz. The soprano was Ann Marie Ketchum who is acclaimed for her
performances in opera and concert repertoires, and contemporary
music. The teamwork of these three artists successfully brought
an aesthetic and romantic atmosphere to the piece, "The Prince."
Maria Newman chose to write the music in a more classical style
with a lot of tempo changes and flexible vocal structure that corresponded
with the sentimental and supernaturally imaginative lyrics by the
Supreme Master Ching Hai. The beautiful voice of Ann Marie was replete
with tenderness and emotion and created beautiful memories for the
audience.
The
orchestra's second performance was "Love Melody IV," composed
and conducted by Peter Boyer. The soprano was Kerry Walsh. With
music based on a poem written by Supreme Master Ching Hai in 1979,
Peter Boyer caught the "sweet sadness" of the poem by
adding a touch of soft longings sometimes floating and sometimes
hiding in the music. As Kerry Walsh sang, the strains that came
naturally came from the depths of her being engraving the words
in the hearts of the audience. Kerry Walsh is a multi-talented performer
who has demonstrated her skills in the field of dance, composition,
and flute, yet what was most impressive is her captivating voice.
During the concert, her soul-stirring voice echoed from near and
far, creating a dream as of the rising of a blue lotus flower.
The
next piece, a symphonic portrait, "The Peace Seeker,"
was composed by Fred Karlin and performed by several superstars.
The composition consisted of monologues, songs, choir, and modern
instrumental performances. The sessions of the composition with
their unique themes, were complete masterpieces in themselves, yet
they were linked perfectly like an epic poem and won the admiration
of the audience. Fred Karlin, a highly respected composer, is not
only a noted musician but is also a well-known music educator. His
books, favorites of movie fans, have also become the must-read textbooks
for students of many musical institutions.
It
is worth mentioning that Mr. Karlin personally performed flugelhorn
for "The Peace Seeker." The continuous and profound flugelhorn
sound resounded the experience of the poet on the endless journey:
Looking at the stars in the night alone, the poet suddenly realizes
that the joy and whole universe are within one's own heart. Mel
Kubik's vocal lyrics fully expressed the sadness and the confusion
of the truth-seeker and deeply touched the audience's heart. With
her rich voice and many other talents, Ms. Kubik is able to handle
many ranges of styles, including the world of modern pop, rock,
jazz and blues and has become one of the sought after musicians.
Jerome Smith, who performed the monologue, was the recent winner
of the Santa Barbara Jazz Society Artist of the Year 1998. At the
age of 79, he released his first personal album. Also a Methodist
minister, with his deep love for humanity and joy of life, Mr. Smith's
participation in this concert seemed to be in perfect accord with
the theme of this concert.
As
the theme of the concert "One World... of Peace through Music"
implies, music is a communication tool that bridges the different
races, religions, and cultures and elevates the soul; it is the
universal language of Truth, virtue and beauty. Musicians in the
21st century should also strive to fulfill their inborn duties of
establishing high ideals and transforming hatred into love in the
hearts of their audiences.
Following
the symphonic portrait was a video presentation introducing the
life of a saintly soul, whose love, wisdom, talents, and charitable
deeds have contributed greatly to the ideal of one world of peace,
whose prayers have lighted the fire of hope, whose sincerity has
awakened millions of sleeping souls, and who came from the pure
Kingdom of God. She is the Supreme Master Ching Hai, the special
guest of honor for the evening.
Wearing
a sloping shoulder cut white dress and a plush shawl of matching
color, the petite Supreme Master Ching Hai appeared bright and elegant.
Amidst a warm, standing ovation, She walked on to the stage and
on behalf of everyone attending the concert offered a contribution
of $150,000 to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and $100,000
to the Starlight Children's Foundation. When the representatives
from the two organizations thanked Master for Her generous support,
She answered: "Thank God," and said, "You are generous!"
Actually in Her eyes, all children are Her children and one of Her
duties is to take care of the children. Then unexpectedly, composer
and conductor Peter Boyer took Master's hands and invited Her to
sing a song for the occasion. At the persistent invitation of Debbie
Reynolds, co-M.C. of the evening, Supreme Master Ching Hai, after
declining several times, closed Her eyes, and in a soft and touching
voice sang "Farewell," a song She composed from a poem
written by Herself in 1978, Germany (different in melody from the
one with the same title composed by Fred Karlin, 1998, U.S.A.) The
audience was intoxicated in the ocean of love as Her euphonious
and melodious voice reverberated in boundless time and space.
The
next performance was a medley of musical pieces composed by Bill
Conti. Listening to the familiar music one after another personally
conducted by this famous composer, everyone was thrilled beyond
words. Such a review that covered a time-span of several decades
helped the audience to better understand the meaning of, "Music
has no boundaries." Bill Conti, a true musician, says that
he wants to compose good music with dramatic characteristics without
caring for wealth and fame brought about by his music. He said,
"The two things that you can't pursue are wealth and fame because
they are given to you by other people. You must find your own truth
and your own happiness within. And you can even be rich and famous
and not necessarily be satisfied if you are not doing something
that you want to do." His beliefs and values may be the main
reasons he has become a giant in the world of music. The perfect
correspondence between his noble ideals and the theme of the concert
has written another remarkable page in his musical life.
After
reviewing his glorious musical history for the audience, Bill Conti
expressed his deeply felt appreciation to the Supreme Master Ching
Hai who had inspired this evening of musical magic. Stating that
he would like to show his gratitude through music, as is the custom
of musicians, he sat at a solid white piano and softly played the
most beloved of Master Ching Hai's compositions, "I Will Forever
Love You," a song that awakens the deepest longing in our soul.
In the meanwhile, all the singers who had performed during the first
session of the concert together with fellow practitioners and children
dressed in international attire joined him on stage to comprise
an eclectic vocal group. As they sang, the background scenery of
four beautiful butterflies transformed into four brilliant phoenixes
and parrots. This solemn, majestic and powerful scene accompanied
by the exalting tunes that seemed to arise from the innermost depths
of the universe created an uplifting and sublime atmosphere. Many
members of the audience were moved to tears. Enjoying the harmonious
moment, I felt very proud to be a disciple of the Supreme Master
Ching Hai.
As
I write this article, my innermost feelings tell me that this magnificent
concert was actually a grand celebration to honor a true Humanist.
How privileged we were to witness this coronation! Although the
concert concluded with the joyful notes of the Beach Boys Family
and Friends, I fervently believe that it was not the end, but that
"One World... of Peace through Music" was a momentous
prelude to "ring in" a new era; its beautiful yet powerful
music will continue to echo, inspiring countless right actions by
humankind until we reach the final goals of one world of peace and
happiness on Earth. 
Special
Reports
