Tribute Concert to the Bahamas 1980 Sep 05

Filed under americas | Music and Songs | Tributes and Expressions of appreciation

 Ambassador Davidson L. Hepburn, Permanent Representative of The Bahamas, treated diplomats and staff to a singing performance on 5 September 1980 in the Dag Hammarskjold Auditorium. Accompanying the Ambassador was acclaimed French concert pianist Olivier Greif, who also performed solo.

The occasion was a meditation group tribute to the

Bahamas, which celebrates its seventh anniversary

of joining the United Nations on 18th September.

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Ambassador Hepburn, accompanied by Mr . Olivier Greif

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Before the performance, Ambassador Hepburn explained that he does not consider himself a professional singer:


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“Sri Chinmoy, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, when your programme coordinator, Mr. Keefe, some months ago talked to me about this programme and asked me to say a few words on this occasion,

I hastily said, “I prefer to sing .”

Today that is why 1 am here, because he interpreted that literally.

I thought I should be here to fulfil my promise.”

Shraddha

 

Ambassador Hepburn’s first concert at the United Nations,

 included:

“Let There Be Peace on Earth” as well as two spirituals,

“Balm in Gilead” and

“When I Feel the Spirit,”

Davidson Hepburn’s concert was very warmly received as a unique effort

towards greater understanding and world peace.

At the end of the programme the meditation group choir performed

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a new song that Sri Chinmoy had dedicated to the Bahamas.

O GRAND BAHAMA

O grand Bahama, Bahama grand!

Great multiplicity in good oneness-land .

Here we swim and sail,

No Nature’s bondage-jail.

Bahama, Bahama, Bahama, Bahama,

– words and music by Sri Chinmoy

 

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 Sri Chinmoy led a mediation to begin the Programme

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Ref. No. BM/300/12 17 September 1980

Dear Mr. Keefe:

I have the honour to acknowledge your letter of September which I read very carefully.

Despite the fact that I was apprehensive about my participation, I am happy that I had the opportunity to represent The Bahamas through songs.

I could have stayed for another hour and listened to the excellent renditions by the pianist.

Thank you for the photos and please extend my gratitude and appreciation to the members of the Group, particularly the Meditation singers.

Yours sincerely,

Davidson L, Hepburn PERMANET REPRESEUTATIVE

Mr. . Kevin A. Keefe, Programme Co-ordinator

 Sri Chinmoy: The Peace Meditation at the United Nations

PDF format of report in periodic Bulletin : “Meditation at the United Nations” Sep 1980

bu-scpmaun-1980-09-27-vol-08-n-09-sep-ocr-opt.pdf

See Page-images 30 to 33

Gallery 2 below is jpg format

Gallery 1   Other Photos from event

 

 

Gallery 2: 

JPG scanned page images 30 to 33 “Meditation at the UN” Sep  1980