Bringing together musicians and music educators from vulnerable communities in Jordan through music Dr. Oskar Wüstinger, Austrian ambassador to Jordan, hosted on Saturday a concert in Amman of the world-renowned Vienna Boys Choir. The Vienna Boys Choir, which is originally based in Vienna (Austria) has a long tradition. It is one of the most known choirs in the world and has a history of educating children for more than 500 years. Complementing their musical achievements, the young singers in the Choir also make important social contributions through outreach and philanthropy projects, such as the “Music for Hope” project in Jordan.

“Music for Hope” is co-funded by the European Union Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and Austrian Federal Ministry of Interior. The cooperation project between the Vienna Boys Choir and Caritas Jordan was launched in March 2021 and since then has played an instrumental role in elevating music within the school systems. The project combines training for music educators as well as educational training for refugee communities to further their musical capacities. For the past year, both Syrian and Iraqi refugee children have received continuous music education, while their parents benefitted from workshops highlighting the importance of music for children’s development.

Providing refugees and vulnerable communities in Jordan with access to music and music education should not only enhance their well-being but also aim at creating attractive job opportunities for musicians and music teachers in Jordan in the long term. During the opening, Ambassador Wüstinger stated “Music is very close to our Austrian hearts. I am personally extremely happy to see this project bringing together Jordanians, refugees and Austrians through music."

The next phase of the Music for Hope project aims to establish a Music Academy that can become a leading institution for music training in Jordan and the region.

At the concert, the President of the Vienna Boys Choir, Prof. Wirth said: "We are absolutely thrilled to be a part of this project. Music is a powerful tool, it is the language of emotions, the language that connects us all: Children understand that instinctively; they connect.”

He further continued: "Children are our future, and it is crucial that they have the tools to work together as a team, like a choir as it were, in building a global society. This is what "Music for Hope" is all about."

The event was attended by the Minister of Social Development H.E. Mr. Ayman Riad Saeid Almuflih and invited guests. A free concert is taking place on May 8, 2022 at 4pm at Al Hussein Culture Center and will be open to all interested.

For more information, you can visit:

https://www.wsk.at/en/musicforhope

https://www.caritasjordan.org.jo