Cultures in Harmony

Participants in Cultures in Harmony projects will travel to one or more countries in the summer of 2008 on missions of cultural diplomacy. These countries include but are not limited to the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Tunisia, Pakistan, India, and Zimbabwe. Projects may involve any of the following musical activities: collaborating with local musicians, teaching master classes, presenting workshops, giving benefit concerts, giving outreach performances, teaching lessons, rehearsing, coordinating an instrument petting zoo, and more. In addition, projects may involve learning the local language, staying with host families, assisting humanitarian organizations with their goals, traditional and/or formal dinners, meetings with diplomats and civic leaders, and other activities designed to promote good will.

Project participants volunteer their time; however, all expenses associated with the trip, ranging from airfare to travel vaccinations, are paid for by Cultures in Harmony.

Though Cultures in Harmony makes every effort to guarantee the safety of all project participants, all participants travel at their own risk. In the past, Cultures in Harmony projects have occasionally involved dealing with minor inconveniences such as: no access to modern plumbing for short periods, uncomfortable sleeping arrangements, unconventional means of transportation, and more. While project participants' dietary restrictions will be respected, Cultures in Harmony in turn expects a general respect for the diet of the countries we visit. Obviously, extraordinary sensitivity to the cultural norms of non-Western societies is the primary non-musical expectation of all project participants. Finally, applicants should have a strong background in educational outreach programs here in the U.S., as well as extensive teaching and performing experience at the highest level.

The application fee is not refundable. Projects may be canceled in the event of fire, casualty, the acts or regulations of public authorities, civil tumult, war, riot, acts of public enemy, epidemic, natural disaster, or for any other reason, at the discretion of Cultures in Harmony. If accepted into Cultures in Harmony, applicants must return their signed contract by March 15, 2008. After that point, participants may only withdraw from their project for the reasons specified in the contract—project cancelled by Cultures in Harmony for security reasons, sudden death of a family member (with documentation), or severe personal illness (with documentation). If a participant withdraws for any other reason not approved by Cultures in Harmony, the participant shall be held liable for any costs that Cultures in Harmony has incurred on behalf of the participant, as well as any additional costs Cultures in Harmony incurs as a result of the participant's withdrawal.

Applicants who are selected to participate in a project must pay a security deposit of $400, which will be fully refunded after successful completion of the project. This is over and above the non-refundable application fee of $75.

INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS