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Singing for Japan

Singers and instrumentalists from Scottish Opera, the RSAMD and the University of Glasgow will raise funds to help Japanese people affected by the tsunami through a concert this weekend.

It will be held in Glasgow University Chapel at 3pm on Sunday 27 March. A donation of £10 is suggested but all donations large and small will be gratefully accepted.

Scottish Opera emerging artists, Marie Claire Breen; Michel de Souza; Rebecca Afonwy-Jones; Scottish guitarist, Sean Shibe; organist, Michael Bawtree; Armenian violinist, Ani Batikian and Glasgow University Choir with Chorus Master, James Grossmith, will perform. Their programme  will include opera,  songs of Scotland and Japan, extracts from the Faure Requiem and Japanese choir pieces.

Professor Graham Caie, Clerk of Senate and Vice Principal said: “The University has offered its deepest sympathy and practical support to all its Japanese students and staff who have been affected by the devastation and terrible loss of life in the events following the earthquake in Japan. The concert is another way that the University can show its support for Japan during this crisis.”

Sean Shibe, 19, the youngest winner of the Royal Overseas League String Award, said : “As a child growing up in Scotland with an British father and a Japanese mother, I was ever aware of the similarities and differences of the two nations. Both are countries proudly steeped in culture of very difference kinds. I often visit Japan, and even in childhood always ended up remembering those shrines of Kyoto, skyscrapers of Tokyo, and the million other wonders that my then-unappreciative eyes ended up permanently capturing.

“But as soon as nature shrugs, humanity’s achievements can be blown to dust, forgotten in that second it takes for devastation to be realised. We only have to read a newspaper to realise that lives are only ever one step from complete chaos – not only in this past fortnight, but on any day. All of us must understand that, situations aside, we share this commonality, we hold this similarity – and we should act upon this empathy.”

Scottish Opera/RSAMD Repetiteur Fellowship, Ayako Kanazawa said: “I am a survivor of the devastating Hanshin earthquake in 1995. Not only was the rescue operation difficult but also the reconstruction. It is a frustrating time for all Japanese in the UK all we can do is pray. But with this concert, I want to believe that our performance will have power to help suffering people in my beautiful country.”

The concert can be watched online on the Chapel Webcam at:
http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/chaplaincy/index.html

Concert proceeds will be sent to the British Red Cross who will in turn direct the donation to the Japanese Red Cross at:
http://www.redcross.org.uk/Donate-Now


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