Tacoma Refugee Choir
"Let There Be Peace On Earth" Concert
We invite you to join us for this Christmas benefit concert, featuring TRC director Erin Guinup & members of the Tacoma Refugee Choir. The program will include popular carols as well as pieces sung by members in Farsi, Spanish, Ukrainian, Japanese, and Swahili. The Tacoma Refugee Choir will perform songs of hope and peace and the audience will be invited to join us in singing "Let There Be Peace on Earth".
This will be a feel-good concert that reminds us of how connected we all are during this holiday season. You can be part of this special program by joining us in-person or through the livestream.
ALL Donations benefit the Tacoma Refugee Choir's work of building a more welcoming community.
Director’s Message
While some of our members have faced tragedies in the past, including the trauma of being a refugee, these chapters don’t have to define one’s life. Our name as the Tacoma Refugee Choir emphasizes our commitment to reaching out to refugees and those who are often marginalized but it is also a message that we are so much more than our challenges. We stand as a reminder that traumas and hardships do not have to limit our potential or rob us of peace.
Peace is something we long for and yet can often seem elusive, especially after the events of recent years. Many of today’s songs mention peace and this led the choir to some meaningful conversations about what is necessary to find peace. Some of the wisdom that came from these discussions included the importance of love and community in creating peace and that finding peace requires first acknowledging pain and grief. One of our songs includes the phrase, “Let it start with you, let it start with me” and choir members determined that it was in the wrong order– a sense of peace starts with our own efforts and finding it in ourselves. From there we can share that peace with others.
We are thankful for the opportunity to sing together again. We love to sing and see one another but it is so much more than that. This community has become a source of finding joy amidst adversity and a way to shoulder the abundant challenges life throws at us. It is a space of hope that renews us each week and a family that reminds us that we are not alone. In short, it brings us peace. We hope you feel part of this special community today. We need you and are grateful for you.
PROGRAM
THERE IS MORE LOVE SOMEWHERE - arr. Adam & Matt Podd
GLORY, GLORY, HALLELUJAH
Featuring Bonnetta Barnett
FELIZ NAVIDAD - by José Feliciano
Featuring Yve Moreira
NÉBO I ZEMLIÁ- Ukrainian Carol
Featuring Mariia Pozhar & Olga Okhapkina
HUMAN BEINGS
Written by and featuring Madi Hashemi
SYMPATHY- by Rare Birds
Featuring Madi Hashemi, Perry Spring & Ryan Dagley
JOY TO THE WORLD- arr. Erin Guinup
OUR PAIN- by Erin Guinup
O HOLY NIGHT- arr. Mark Hayes
Featuring Erin Guinup
SILENT NIGHT
Featuring Mike Collier, Perry Spring, Olga Okhapkina, Madi Hashemi, Yve Moreira, Ryan Dagley, Maurice Lekea, Kaelin Lor, Mariia Pozhar
MOON SONG- Music by Erin Guinup, Lyrics by Abby E. Murray and inspired by boys detained at the Selma Carson Home
Featuring Yve Moreira, Nathalie Bajinya, Diane Tilstra, Seema Akkar, Elham Sadeghein, Olga Okhapkina, Kaelin Lor, Thierry Ruboneka
THIS IS MY WISH - by Tim & Angela Lauer
SING - by Gary Barlow & Andrew Lloyd Weber
EVERYONE CAN LOVE SOMEONE- by Erin Guinup, Trésor John & Nathalie Bajinya