What Legacy are You Leaving?

As some of you probably know, almost every summer for the past two decades I’ve taught at Legacy International’s Global Youth Village in Bedford, VA. This year I’ll be teaching students from Algeria, Egypt and the USA from July 30 to August 7.

I’ve been thrilled to be a part of the Village’s project to bring youths from war zones together and help them learn to resolve conflicts peacefully and cope with the extraordinary challenges they face in their home countries. The Village also gives these kids a place to be kids; a respite from the chaos and fear that has become routine in many trouble-torn parts of the world.

Now Legacy International is taking on a new challenge.

In order for these kids to live stable, productive lives in their home countries, they need jobs.

Legacy International has just begun a job creation project for millennials in Morocco. They hope to expand the pilot project throughout the Middle East and North Africa.

Wouldn’t it be great if we could get a project like this going here at home?

I know from meeting you folks at my concerts and workshops that you are above average when it comes to idealism, expertise and the ability to get things done. Let’s get together and wage peace this summer!

Speaking of summer, it’s going by too quickly. Tomorrow, (July 10), I travel to New Hampshire to take part in one of my favorite summertime activities, teaching at Summer Acoustic Music Week. Then it’s back home to see my son and his family who have just returned to the States after serving two years at the Consulate General of the US in Sao Paulo Brazil. On July 30, I’m off again to teach at the Global Youth Village. I return on August 6 and have just enough time to do my laundry before I’m off on the road again. On August 7, I head for Vocal Week at the Augusta Heritage Center in Elkins, WV. From Augusta, I go straight to Pittsburgh where I will be coaching several East Coast Threshold Choir Directors. (The Threshold Choir is a group that brings the solace of music to the terminally ill and their families). At the end of August, I go to Dayton, Ohio to visit with my mother, B.B. While I’m in Ohio, I will conduct workshops with the World House Choir at Antioch in Yellow Springs, Ohio and in nearby correctional institutions. You can view my schedule on my website.

It’s another whirlwind summer.  I hope that you will be a part of it and look forward to seeing you soon.

Peace, Salaam, Shalom,

Charles