Welcome, my
friends, to the new “¡Presente!” home page. We are currently
...
... under construction, so watch out falling bits and loose binary
strings. Virtual hard hats are recommended.
You may visit the old page by
clicking on the little file folder here: 
Here is a taste of things to come:
Soon I will
be launching my “¡Presente! Concert Tour 2003” in an effort to encourage
people of faith to look beyond narrow definitions and move toward a universalist
outlook that embraces all faiths, both sacred and secular.
Ironically
for a Jew and a Unitarian Universalist, it will employ the form of the
Roman Catholic mass, yet be ecumenical in nature. As composers through
the ages have followed that sacred form, to the enjoyment of secular audiences,
I have composed a mass that is universalist in nature.
Our venues
will most likely be churches, Catholic, predominantly but others as well,
but with communion open to anyone wishing to share in the spirit of community.
[There is a new thought I am exploring, having to do with a powerful ecumenical
movement that is already underway. Please click on Children
of Abraham.]
Beginning
with a Saturday afternoon ‘rehearsal’ where those who enjoy singing will
have the opportunity to learn the congregational music, including some
four-part pieces, then on to the evening's concert, the event schedule
will conclude with a Sunday morning inter-faith mass where all will be
encouraged to participate musically.
I will
seek the blessing and support of the Jesuit community, as I hope to provide
music for the mass they celebrate each year outside of the WHISC, for the
concert tour will also promote the transformation of the School of the
Americas, now called the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation.
Among
the usual merchandise sold at concerts will be T-shirts which will bear
the voice of the wearer: soprano, alto, tenor or bass, with hopes of having
a people's choir properly adorned at Ft. Benning in November.
The Plan
is to have the first such concert in late January, followed by concerts
in twelve or thirteen other venues within driving distance of the Bay Area.
Then we will hit the road on our journey towards Ft. Benning in November
of 2003.
I have a tentative program for the
concert. If you'd like to see it, click on the “book” below:
In regards
to the school, in the near future I would like to see an ad hoc committee
formed to put together an alternate curriculum and present it to the WHISC.
I would challenge the WHISC to live up to their word of promoting civil
and human rights and democracy, to send back unarmed, pacifist soldiers
and police who would truly serve and protect the people of Latin America.
I would challenge them to explain just how the current crop of graduates
represents the interests of the American people, and that we would be better
served by promoting peace and justice rather than capitalism.
I invite
your input. I believe we are missing an opportunity here! What
do you think? E-mail me:
Please
look to this page from time to time as plans progress. I hope to
see you and hear your voice ringing!
Yours in
peace with justice,
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