Ardmore Steel Drum Concert To Help Interfaith Music Group

ARDMORE, PA — Music is the universal language, and in an effort to bring communities together the Ardmore Music Hall will host the Peace Drums Project Fundraiser in mid April.

In coordination with Peace Drums, USA and Peace Drums, Israel, the venue is hosting the Third Annual Peace Drums Project Fundraiser for an inspirational evening featuring dinner, dancing and live music at 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 13.

Peace Drums, run by Co-Founder and Executive Director Harvey Price, is an interfaith project centered in Israel which gives Arab and Jewish youth a chance to play together in a steel drum band, allowing kids who would typically not interact with one another to work together on a musical collaboration.

They rehearse, learn and subsequently perform concerts together as a group, and gain music education and experience in the process.

The project promotes peace among Jewish, Muslim, and Christian youth by introducing peacemaking and reconciliation through the shared activity of a dynamic steel drum band.

In operation for six years, Peace Drums has raised more than $250,000 since the mission began, and Price says they expect to hit the $300,000 milestone during this year's event.

"This is a major milestone for us," he said. "This started as a small non-profit with a mission and an unforeseen goal, and it's grown into something bigger than we ever expected. We cannot wait for this next fundraiser, as working with these kids and doing what we do becomes more rewarding, enjoyable and helpful every single day."

Two live bands will perform during the fundraiser, including Philly's own Trevor Street Band with special guests, along with the Philly Pan Stars Steel Orchestra out of West Philadelphia.

Tickets cost $75 per person and are $30 for those 30 and under. Attendees must be 21 years of age or older to enter.

Get tickets online here.

The event will raise money for the salaries of the music teachers who lead the steel band students, while helping to fund the transportation costs of students for rehearsals and concerts, as well as the purchase of additional instruments for other Arab and Jewish communities who support these coexistence programs for their youth.

"In a polarized Middle East, Peace Drums provides a refreshing opportunity for Israeli Arabs and Jews to come together in a shared experience where the joy of music gives us all the opportunity to imagine a world in which ethnic and religious diversity is celebrated rather than vilified," said Steve Wigrizer, a musician and founding member of the Trevor Street Band who is also a Peace Drums board member and trial attorney. "I am proud to support this timely and important project."

"We went out and found the best steel bands in the region that we could find," said Price, a longtime Philadelphian who is a freelance percussionist with the Philadelphia Orchestra, and an associate professor of music at the University of Delaware. "The past two years have been so incredible, and the kids who are a part of this are working together, sharing experiences, and becoming friends, classmates and band mates all while having a great time while raising money for a great cause."

The event will include dinner, and spirits will be available for purchase at the Ardmore Music Hall bar.

Corporate sponsorships are available for $1,000 apiece, which helps to ensure that Peace Drums performers have the instruments, musical education and resources needed to continue to spread their message of peace and coexistence worldwide.

Learn more about the Peace Drums Project online here.

The Ardmore Music Hall is located at 23 E. Lancaster Ave. in Ardmore.