Conductor Rohan Smith: We are bringing a message of “Peace and Innovation”

Mar 20, 2015Event Updates

(BGF) – On the night of March 19, 2015 (Vietnam local time), the Phillips Exeter Academy had its successful final concert show in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, ending its 14-day tour to celebrate the 20th anniversary of normalization of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the United States.

Phillips Exeter Academy’s Concert Choir and Chamber Orchestra brought the message of “Peace and Innovation”, traveled the length of Vietnam, from Ha Noi to Ho Chi Minh City performing concerts of classical Western music and Vietnamese folk songs in partner with musicians and vocalists from the Vietnam National Academy of Music and from the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music.

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The Phillips Exeter Academy concert show in Ho Chi Minh City

Rohan Smith, the conductor of Phillips Exeter Academy Chamber Orchestra, stressed in his speech: “We believe that the most important way to build peace and understanding is very simple. It is by bringing together people from different countries and cultures to get to know each and to experience each others lives and traditions….”

Let’s read his full speech below:

Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests –

On behalf of my colleagues from Phillips Exeter Academy – Peter Schultz, chair of the Music Department, Kristofer Johnson, Choral Director, Vanessa Holroyd, Tour Manager, and the members of the Phillips Exeter Academy Concert Choir and Chamber Orchestra – I would like to warmly thank HCMC Conservatory of Music for welcoming us to perform this very special concert in HCMC at the conclusion of our 2015 Concert Tour of Vietnam.

The goal of Global Initiatives program of Phillips Exeter Academy is to increase the opportunities for international engagement for Phillips Exeter Academy students, in order that we live up to our promise to impart both knowledge and goodness on the global stage.

On the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of Normalization of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the United States, we are truly honored to visit Vietnam on a mission of cultural exchange, to build connections and understanding between the people of the United States and Vietnam and tonight, the people of HCMC.

We are bringing a message of “Peace and Innovation”  with a mission of connecting young people of Vietnam and the US through musical exchange, as young people will take us into the future, taking the lead by innovating ideas and solutions to build a more peaceful and secure world together.

We believe that the most important way to build peace and understanding is very simple. It is by bringing together people from different countries and cultures to get to know each and to experience each others lives and traditions. We believe that a wonderful way to build connections and understanding is through music, which is a language that we all understand and which is a language of beauty and peace.

Our tour and its mission has been conceived and inspired in an invaluable partnership with the Boston Global Forum and its CEO, Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan. I would like to acknowledge Mr. Tuan’s extraordinary support for this mission and the support of his superb staff in Vietnam.  I would also like to acknowledge the US Embassy in Hanoi and the US Consulate in HCMC for their incredible support and help in creating additional opportunities for our students.

Although our concert tour of Vietnam ends tonight, the message of “Peace and Innovation ” will continue to resonate  throughout this special anniversary year of 20 years of Vietnam – US relations with many events and activities.

An important event of significance is the International Conference on “Peace and Innovation” in Nha Trang on July Vietnam 11, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Khanh Hoa government. We are very proud and honored that the envoys bringing this message will be the students of Phillips Exeter Academy Concert Choir and Chamber Orchestra.

The musical exchange between the young people of Phillips Exeter Academy and Vietnam, will be introduced by video to the members of the Young Leaders Network for Peace and Security, and to members of Boston Global Forum, who include highly influential policy makers in the world in business, science, the arts and education.

Philips Exeter Academy students will be able to participate in opportunities for dialogue on critical questions of peace, the environment and global security with members of the Young Leaders Network for Peace and Security .

We strongly believe the July 11 conference ” Peace and Innovation” in Nha Trang will be very successful. We wish the best to the conference, to the Vietnamese people, and hope the conference will inspire new initiatives in peace, innovation.

During our visit we have had so many extraordinary experiences in your beautiful county. We have learned to love the rich and diverse musical traditions, the extraordinary landscapes, the endlessly delicious food and above all the generosity, openness and enormous personal warmth of the beautiful people of Vietnam.

We have learned that Vietnam is a country that lives with pride by its own terms and is also country that is extraordinarily open and welcoming to innovation and partnership in a globally interrelated world.

In the words of Candide, which we will sing for you later, “We’ll do the best we know …. and Make our Garden Grow”

Thank you and enjoy the Concert!

Rohan Smith

Conductor

Chamber Orchestra, Phillips Exeter Academy