To read the brochure, click here.
This summer 'Sounds for freedom' will go on tour! In the refugees shelters located in Amsterdam we give workshops for refugee children. The children will learn some of our songs and they end with a small presentation for their parents.
At the 'OBA Amsterdam' we will give 10 concerts.
This is an interactive performance where the songs are intertwined in a story and are performed by a professional singer along with a band.
The children from the refugees shelters are invited and so are Dutch-speaking children. They can sing along with the songs they have learned from the workshop during the concert.
“We also work with musicians who came to the Netherlands as refugees themselves.
With them as role models, we hope to inspire the children to live and follow
their dreams too."'
The workshop
Refugee children aged between 5 to 12 years old, are invited to the workshop in the locations where they live. We wil be singing, dancing, making music with small instruments and, above all, having a lot of fun! The children learn songs that we have especially composed for this target group. We mainly practice the choruses, because they are easy to sing along and they can be learned in one workshop.
Together with the activities supervisor of the shelter, we announce the workshop well in advance so that all children - who want to - can participate.
Praktisch:
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The duration of the workshop is 45 minutes
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At the end of the workshop there is a presentation
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Parents are invited to watch
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We bring cookies and drinks
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There are no costs involved
"Most importantly is that the kids have fun, enjoy the music and feel that they can be a child."
In 2022 we gave a workshop in the Holiday Inn and Savoy Hotel. Watch the video below.
“Words fall short, it was so beautiful. Thank you very much for this great initiative!”
- De Regenboog Groep Amsterdam 2022-
Everyone is welcome!
In collaboration with the OBA the concert is primarily intended as an event for refugee children from the emergency shelters, so that they can enjoy the summer holidays and get away from the shelter for a while. Newcomers who are currently participating in our music and language project 'Free as a Songbird' are also invited to come to the concert.
We also ask Dutch-speaking children from disadvantaged areas of Amsterdam and children from wealthier families to come to the concert. In this way we hope that beautiful encounters will arise and an exchange of (sub) cultures.
Practical
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The concert is free
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Pre-registration is required (as space is limited)
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We provide bus transport with the Groen-Greybus
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Children are accompanied by their parents
The concert is interactive, in which the children play the leading role and perform together with the musicians.
We work together with Dutch, Ukrainian and Syrian artists to offer them a stage through this project and to ensure a variation in music styles (pop, jazz, world music).
One of our soloists is Mireille Bittar, a Syrian singer who studied in Damascus and at the Conservatory of Amsterdam. She is the founder and artistic director of the Mosaic Ensemble and has performed in many operas.
She is known for the television program 'We Want More':
Mireille Bittar performs together with the Syrian pianist Feras Khouri and percussionist Modar Salama.
Are you joining?
Summer Sounds on Tour
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A tour with our songs at different OBA locations
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We watch 3 short movies and sing songs about it
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You can practice the songs here! (from 21 July)
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Pancakes for everyone ;-)
Summer Sounds Concert
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Singing and practicing Dutch songs together
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With an Ukrainian or Syrian singer who will sing some songs for you from their own country
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At CC Amstel and Vrij Paleis
Dates & locations
OBA Postjesweg:
Friday 28 July, 13.30 & 15.00
Friday 4 aug, 13.30 & 15.30
OBA Geuzenveld
Thursday 17 Aug, 13.00 & 15.00
OBA Bijlmerplein:
Friday 18 Aug, 13.00 & 15.00
OBA Molenwijk
Thursday 31 Aug, 13.00 & 15.00
CC Amstel
Friday 28 July, 11.00
Friday 4 Aug, 11.00
Friday 11 Aug, 11.00
Vrij Paleis
Monday 31 July, 12.00
Project leaders Sascha Schaufeli and coordinator Tanya Akkerman are organizing the Summer Sounds workshops and concerts.
Sascha is the contact person for the refugees shelters and other partners. Please contact her if you would like to work with us!
Email: s.schaufeli@soundsforfreedom.com
Phone number: 06-81752693