FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SoCal arts project promoting peace receives national award
Choral Tales project fosters peace through music, dance and storytelling
Los Angeles, California (September 4, 2019) — Choral Tales, a suite of original choral music and dance performances showcasing inspirational folk tales from diverse cultures around the world, has received a citation for excellence in the Opera/Theater/Film/Dance division of The American Prize.
A prestigious nationwide competition, The American Prize is the United States’ most comprehensive series of annual nonprofit contests in the performing arts.
Described by one judge as "stunning," the three Choral Tales works were cited for "excellent integration of music, dance and storytelling in a choral framework." Under the artistic direction of internationally recognized composer Ludwig Tuman, who founded the project and wrote the original scores, the works are featured in short films displaying the music and dance performances of an array of artists, based primarily in Los Angeles and Long Beach.
Among them are conductor Jonathan Talberg, the Bob Cole Chamber Choir of CSU Long Beach, and choreographers Anindo Marshall (“Cat’s Protector”), Jingqiu Guan (“Lord of the Cranes”), and San Francisco-based Sherene Melania (“The Happy Man’s Shirt”).
The project has generated growing public interest through its mission to provide “a vibrant journey toward healing, unity, and peace through the arts.” Renaissance thinker and philosopher Ervin Laszlo, twice nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, described Choral Tales as “an important and indeed vital project,” adding that “Choral Tales could make a major difference as we strive toward a world we could leave in good conscience to our children, and to the children who will follow.”
Through a seamless blend of novel music and dance, the Choral Tales Project aspires to foster social justice and peace by engaging the public with compelling stories that help to dissolve biases, promote human unity, encourage a harmonious relationship with nature, and transition to a sustainable mindset. The first three productions are based on folk tales from Scotland, China and Tanzania. Many more productions are envisioned as the project adds to its representation of human diversity. Plans for the next stage involve tales from the United States, Mexico, India, and possibly the Middle East.
College and high school teachers and group discussion leaders are invited to visit the “Get Involved” page on the Choral Tales website at choraltales.org, stream the Choral Tales videos and use them as conversation pieces. The project’s timely themes for discussion include the oneness of humanity, cultural diversity, transcending prejudices, empowering women globally, caring for the environment and addressing climate change.
Since premiering last year in Agoura Hills, California, on the UN International Day of Peace, Choral Tales has been recognized at several other major events and competitions. In a competition with 4,500 entries, the Choral Tales piece, “Cat’s Protector,” was selected as a finalist in the Aesthetica Short Film Festival, a UK-based international festival recognized by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. For World Radio Day, an annual event sponsored by UNESCO in partnership with the European Broadcast Union, music from Choral Tales was selected for worldwide broadcast. The music was provided by the event's organizers to participating radio stations in over 100 countries.
The public is welcome to join the Choral Tales community at choraltales.org and help further its mission of fostering harmony and peace through mutual respect and compassion..
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Contact:
Ludwig Tuman
ludwig@choraltales.org
www.facebook.com/choraltales