Accordionist

“Breaking Down Racial Barriers With Music” is a community conversation and storytelling event demonstrating how music has been historically impactful in bridging cultural divides and mutual understanding.  In the current climate of war and the socio-political tensions that have arisen, artists are standing as cultural diplomats through their instruments and voices.

Bridging the Divide, Breaking Down Racial Barriers With Music

South Asia Institute

Ringing with urgency in our time, this acclaimed program created by Jeannette Sorrell returns in a fresh version. Honoring the peoples whose music and faith brought such vibrancy to the Middle East, 26 artists from Jewish, Palestinian, Muslim, and Christian backgrounds perform on oud, theorbo, medieval harp, zither, strings, and exotic percussion.

In this musical tour of the four quarters of Old Jerusalem (Jewish, Christian, Arab, and Armenian), surprising cross-influences emerge. A Sephardic ballad leads to a classical Arabic love song; selections from Monteverdi’s great Vespers of 1610 echo the exotic and rapturous singing of the Jewish cantors in the temples. The rhythms of daily life – love, singing, dancing and prayer – culminate in a joyous celebration of shared humanity.

Accordionist

Ronnie Malley

Events

Upcoming events

9 - 11 Apr, 2026

O Jerusalem! Crossroads of Three Faiths · Apollo's Fire

Past events

Mar 8, 2025

Bridging the Divide, Breaking Down Racial Barriers With Music · South Asia Institute

About

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