One Song, A Million Voices Unite in Global Harmony

[Tami]

One Song, A Million Voices Unite in Global Harmony

One Song, A Million Voices Unite in Global Harmony

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 23, 2004--Sept. 21, 2004 will mark the United Nations\' International Day of Peace and the observation of Global Cease-Fire Day. It will also herald a remarkable and unprecedented worldwide musical event, \"The Million Voice Choir,\" the inspiration of American vocalist, musician and educator, Gemma.


A native Californian of Philippine heritage, Gemma has been a vocalist and performer for a number of years. In addition she is a producer and writer of several successful one-woman shows in which she has performed nationally, as well as creating numerous interactive children\'s shows performed internationally.

Following the 9/11 tragedy, Gemma was inspired to write her now celebrated song, \"We Rise,\" an anthem aspiring to global peace and unity. The song\'s inspirational orientation led to its immediate popularity internationally and ultimately resulted in performances throughout the world, adding voices and gaining momentum wherever she\'s gone.

In 2003, Gemma was invited to perform her tribute to peace before the United Nations, and it is that performance which set in motion her plans for the September 21st global musical event. On that date, in tandem with celebrations observing the International Day of Peace and Global Cease-Fire Day, Gemma will sing \"We Rise\" in an internationally webcast performance from New York City. Her appearance will initiate participation from myriad groups and organizations in over 88 countries, all of which will be represented in this unique global songfest.

As its name implies, \"The Million Voice Choir\" anticipates participation from well over a million children and adults throughout the world. Replicating New York\'s gala Millennium celebration, this spectacular musical event will be observed at 9:00 p.m. in every international time zone, creating a musical \"wave\" around the globe; it will culminate in New York City with a Grande Finale simulcast at 10:00 p.m. (US/EST).

Beyond the expansive reach of her renowned song, Gemma has also established an organization, \"A Single Drop\" ( www.asingledrop.org ), predicated on the concept that it takes a single drop of water to start a wave, a single person to initiate social change. The building of \"The Million Voice Choir\" is its first landmark event.

Complementing its focus on global peace, the organization\'s intent is to enhance worldwide understanding of the value of water to human life and to make clean water and water purification devices available to most third world countries.

\"A Single Drop\" recently gained sponsorship from Solar Solutions, a San Diego-based company that has developed \"AquaPak,\" a solar-powered pasteurization device which produces safe drinking water. The product was specifically designed for manufacture and use by rural populations and refugees in third world countries and can be produced in those countries for less than $1.00 per unit. Using solar energy, one AquaPak can pasteurize enough safe drinking water daily for a mother and infant, potentially saving many of the three to five million who are dying each year due to the consumption of microbial contaminated water. For information on how you can help, please contact Solar Solutions at 858-695-3806 or contact@solarsolutions.info

Through her global tour introducing and teaching \"We Rise,\" and her September 21st \"Million Voice Choir,\" Gemma hopes to elicit the support of celebrities, major corporations and independent foundations in elevating awareness and raising monies to support her own organization\'s efforts to make safe water accessible to all developing world populations.

Among the many individuals, companies and organizations supporting Gemma in her global mission are legendary folk singer and activist, Pete Seeger, celebrated naturalist and author, Jane Goodall, and Suzuki International.

Additional information and \"We Rise\" can be obtained at Gemma\'s website: www.millionvoices.org or by calling 916-799-0078.

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