On Tuesday, September 10, 2013, TAA President Dr. Faruk Taban attended the World Peace Orchestra (WPO) at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts complex in New York City. Composed of 134 young musicians from over 50 countries, WPO was founded in New York in 2013 as a unique nonprofit organization that encourages the growth of budding musical talent in youth from around the world. WPO celebrates the unity and diversity of global culture through its annual concert by playing both traditional and classical instruments. According to its mission statement, WPO strives to promote peace and understanding through the unifying power of music by cultivating a new, compassionate generation of leaders that understands that borders, oceans, languages, and cultures cannot sever the fundamental bonds of humanity. Furthermore, “by exposing underprivileged youth to musical education and opportunities, [WPO] seek[s]to inspire hope, open up new horizons, and create a generation fluent in the universal language of music.”
The September concert is the culmination of a month-long program run by WPO that is dedicated to empowering youth from around the world, including conflict regions like Iraq, Kosovo, Uganda, and Ethiopia, to demonstrate the unifying power of music, spread their message of peace through song, and serve as young leaders in their own communities. For many of the students, the program marked their first trip to the United States. According to President Taban, “It was remarkable how much the World Peace Orchestra was able to achieve in such a short amount of time. The youth artists did not know each other previously, but with only 30 days of practice they were able to reach such a level of musicianship.” President Taban also recalled that expert conductors found the entire undertaking very risky, but once performed they showered the orchestra with praise and admiration.
Dr. Faruk Taban (left) with Kevin Spacey (middle)
Gintaras Rinkevičius of Lithuania served as Guest Conductor for WPO and Violinist Virtuoso Alexander Markov performed during the concert. Kevin Spacey, award-winning actor, director, screenwriter and producer, was the evening’s keynote speaker. Mr. Spacey spoke of the philosophy of a dear mentor and friend of his, Jack Lemmon, a philosophy that he has since adapted as his own. Said Spacey, “if you’ve done well enough and if you’ve succeeded in your achieving your dream, it is your obligation to send the elevator back down to help those just starting out.” This philosophy has become one of Spacey’s guiding principles—to foster the emerging talent of dedicated youngmen and women who are passionate about the arts. “It’s why I think the work of the World Peace Orchestra is so important and why I’m proud to be a part of it tonight,” he concluded.
Other prominent guests included Rita Cosby, TV and Radio Host of the Rita Cosby Show, Special Correspondent for “Inside Edition” and author of the New York Times bestseller Quiet Hero; Montel Williams, Emmy-winning television personality, decorated naval officer and inspirational speaker and author; Deepak Chopra, Indian-American physician, holistic health/New Age guru and alternative medicine practitioner; Darlene Love, American popular musicsinger and actress who gained prominence in the 1960s; Tommy Tune, American award-winning actor, dancer, singer, theater director, producer and choreographer; Susan Lucci, American actress, television host, author and entrepreneur who is best known for her role in the television soap opera “All My Children”; Pat Addiss, one of the most prominent female Producers in Broadway Theater; and Anthony Rapp, American stage and film actor and singer best known for his work in Broadway productions Rent and You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.
