For Immediate Release
March 17, 2010
WTTW PRESENTS
SOUNDS OF FAITH – CHICAGO
A one-hour concert film celebrating the interconnection and diversity of sacred sound in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, performed by leading practitioners and artists in Chicago's Rockefeller Memorial Chapel.
Airing Sunday, April 4 at 6:00 pm on WTTW 11.1
Chicago – March 17, 2010 — While world events often divide communities, members of the Abrahamic faiths in Chicago have drawn together to explore the common ground of sacred sound. SOUNDS OF FAITH – CHICAGO, an hour-long film premiering on WTTW 11.1 on Sunday, April 4 at 6:00 pm, documents a remarkable event which took place in November 2009 at Rockefeller Memorial Chapel, on the campus of the University of Chicago.
Against the architectural and acoustic backdrop of a space designed for inter-religious inquiry, leading practitioners and artists shared joyful and meditative sounds ranging from shofar and tar to sacred recitation and chant and the swelling calls of choir, organ, and bells.
Dr. Shakeela Hassan, professor emeritus of anesthesiology and critical care, now dedicated to intercommunity dialogue and filmmaking, conceived SOUNDS OF FAITH – CHICAGO as a means for sharing her ideas of sound, rhythm and movement to build mutual respect between the interfaith communities of Jews, Christians, and Muslims.
SOUNDS OF FAITH – CHICAGO is introduced by journalist Bill Kurtis: "In Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, sacred sound is a richly interconnected common ground. For millennia, shared geography and history have provided core texts, ideas, and practices. Differing experiences have provided beautiful diversity, independence, and insight of perspective. The sounds of these traditions link us through generations to those who worshipped long before us, and remind us to love our neighbors as ourselves today."
The glorious Rockefeller Chapel comes alive as 250 participants, ranging in age from 13 to 89, offer their voices and instruments as they would be heard in their own services and in daily life. Sounds which may have only been encountered at a distance are intimately explored, including Qur'anic recitation by Hafiz Ammar Haq' and Sufic meditation by tar virtuoso Amir Koushkani. Renowned cantor Alberto Mizrahi intones the Kol Nidre, supported by the Rockefeller Chapel Choir and James Kallembach, the Artistic Director of the concert. Amid shofar, organ, and a medieval cantiga, the space is filled by the thunderous voices of the Salem Baptist Choir and gospel soloist Angie Spivey, bringing all of the performers together in a joyous amen.
SOUNDS OF FAITH – CHICAGO, the first of many planned programs, is a point of departure for mutual understanding, peace and healing of the human family, and witnesses a true celebration of these traditions.
SOUNDS OF FAITH – CHICAGO is a production of Harran Productions Foundation and Noisemaker Films. Founded in 2006 by Dr. Shakeela Hassan, Harran Productions Foundation is dedicated to producing thought-provoking interfaith documentaries and events that open dialogues between individuals and societies around the world. In 2009, Dr. Hassan partnered with producer/director Greg Samata. Greg and his partners run Noisemaker Films, an independent film production company which pushes creative disciplines to tell compelling stories about the human condition. Please visit www.thesoundsoffaith.org for more information.
Executive Producers: Shakeela Z. Hassan and Greg Samata
Artistic Director: James Kallembach
Program Director: Matthew Dean
About WTTW
For more than 50 years, audiences have turned to WTTW for distinctive programming that informs, inspires, educates and entertains. It reaches 1.5 million monthly households over a four-state area. Recognized for its award-winning local and national productions, WTTW is committed to presenting the very best in cultural, nature, science, public affairs and children's programming across its four distinct television channels: WTTW 11.1, WTTW Prime 11.2, WTTW Create 11.3, and the Spanish-language channel V-me 11.4. For more information, please visit www.wttw.com.
SOUNDS OF FAITH – CHICAGO is generously supported by the Illinois Humanities Council and the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.
