Dear Friends of Utah Global Diplomacy,
I love music - all types of music from every era. This is why when one of my board members mentioned a book called I Heard There Was a Secret Chord by Daniel J. Levitin, titled after the famous line in the song Hallelujah by Lenard Cohen, I immediately ordered it.
This book discusses how music has long been recognized as a powerful form of healing across diverse cultures, from the Far East to Africa and the pre-colonial Americas. These traditions have used sound and rhythm to ease suffering, promote healing, and calm the mind, making music one of humanity's oldest medicines. Today, we continue to use music in the same manner to ease the pain of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, as well as cognitive injury, depression, and pain.
But music is used as a form of soft power diplomacy. Music possesses a unique ability to bridge divides, connect diverse communities, and promote global harmony. Music transcends borders and unites us in powerful and meaningful ways.
For over 40 years, our flagship music diplomacy event, the Vivaldi by Candlelight concert, embodies the power of social change, sparks dialogue, and builds bridges.
As we look to the future, we envision a world where Utahns and individuals from across the globe come together, united by shared cultural experiences and mutual respect. Through the lens of music diplomacy, we aim to strengthen bonds of friendship and diplomacy, fostering a community enriched by diversity and international goodwill. This is our everyday work.
This is our mission.
For this reason, I am writing to you today, asking for your support of Vivaldi by Candlelight in two ways.
First, please purchase tickets for the Vivaldi by Candlelight concert held on Saturday, December 7. Tickets are now on sale, and through October 1, you can receive 20% off your ticket price.
Furthermore, as we commemorate the 20th anniversary of Conductor Gerald Elias’ leadership at the Vivaldi by Candlelight concert, Utah Global Diplomacy is launching a fundraising campaign with the ambitious goal of raising $100,000 by the end of 2024. This fund will ensure fair compensation for the musicians and the Conductor, allowing us to sustain this cherished tradition for years to come.
Your support is crucial to the future of this concert and its role in promoting international goodwill through music. Please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. directly if you are interested in discussing a sponsorship gift to endow Vivaldi by Candlelight.
Thank you for being part of our vision to create a more harmonious and united world.
With gratitude,
Felecia Maxfield-Barrett
President & CEO
Utah Global Diplomacy
