2025 CONCERTS

UN CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY
VIRTUAL CONCERT IN CELEBRATION OF
NELSON MANDELA
INTERNATIONAL DAY
FEATURING WOUTER KELLERMAN


VIRTUAL GLOBAL LAUNCH (LIVE & ON DEMAND): UNITED NATIONS
Friday, 18 July 2025
9:00am EST (New York Time) / 3:00pm SAST (South Africa)

UN Global YouTube: https://youtu.be/wWaRMrOSKV8
UN Web TV: https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k11/k117r2y3ag

“We can change the world and make it a better place. It is in your hands to make a difference.”

~Nelson Mandela

On Friday, 18 July 2025, the UN Chamber Music Society of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council (UNCMS) will present a concert in celebration of Nelson Mandela International Day.  On this occasion, prepare to be captivated by the music of Wouter Kellerman, a three-time Grammy Award-winning South African flautist, producer, and composer, who has also earned nine South African Music Awards.

The event will open with insightful remarks from H.E. Ms. Mathu Joyini, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations, and Ndaba Mandela, Founder & Chairman of the Mandela Institute for Humanity.

Honouring the enduring legacy of the former South African President and his commitment to peace, freedom, and service, the music program will feature two powerful musical tributes composed by Wouter Kellerman:  "The Long Road", an extraordinary flute solo that serves as a biographical homage to Nelson Mandela's journey, and “Madiba", a musical prayer, specially arranged for the UN Chamber Music Society, offering a heartfelt tribute that blends power and tenderness.  Founded in 2016 by Brenda Vongova, the UN Chamber Music Society is dedicated to promoting the United Nations' goals and values at large - through the universal language of music.


Learn more about Mandela Day at the United Nations:

https://www.un.org/en/events/mandeladay/

OPENING REMARKS

H.E. Ms. Mathu Joyini

Amassador and Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations

Ndaba Mandela
Founder & Chairman of Mandela Institute for Humanity

UN Chamber Music Society
of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council
Brenda Vongova, Artistic Director
 

MUSIC PROGRAMME

Wouter Kellerman (1961 - ) The Long Road
Wouter Kellerman (Flute)

Wouter Kellerman (1961 - ) Madiba (arr. Mauritz Lotz for the UN Chamber Music Society)
Wouter Kellerman (Flute)
Timothy Moloi (Singer)

UN Chamber Music Society: Josh Liu (Violin ), Leslie Ashworth (Violin), Alexander Mclaughlin (Viola), Robin Park (Cello), Brenda Vongova (Piano)


 

SPECIAL THANKS

UN Department of Global Communications

Permanent Mission of South Africa to the United Nations

Wouter Kellerman
Tholsi Pillay
⁠Timothy Moloi
⁠Paulo Areal/The Moving Picture Company
Gallo Music/Antos Stella
Nelson Mandela Foundation
⁠Mauritz Lotz
⁠Presidential Shirt South Africa

Ndaba Mandela
Mandela Institute for Humanity

Photo of Poster:
Courtesy of Ndaba Mandela and Hachette Books,
from “Going to the Mountain: Life Lessons from My Grandfather, Nelson Mandela”

Recorded at Klavierhaus
by Mumeneer (resident engineers at Klavierhaus)

Edward Bilous, Audio Production
Marco Sabatini, Audio Engineer

Video Editing
Rebecca Dixuan Bai, Video Editor

Hosted by the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences

UN CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY
SPECIAL GUEST PERFORMANCE AT THE
Recording Academy’s 2nd Annual AAPI Month Celebratory Mixer


Tuesday, 27 May 2025
6:00pm EST 
NYC Grammy Townhouse

 

UN Chamber Music Society will be special guest performers at the Recording Academy’s Gold Music Alliance AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) Month Celebratory Mixer, on 27 May 2025, an event dedicated to honoring the AAPI community's rich musical contributions.  The program will feature an all-Asian music selection, including:

"Baba Yetu”, composed by the UN Chamber Music Society’s Honorary Artistic Adviser, 2x Grammy Award winner Christopher Tin, was arranged by the composer for piano quintet – and was performed on World Refugee Day in 2017, at the United Nations Headquarters. "Baba Yetu," meaning "Our Father" in Swahili, was the first video game music ever to win a Grammy. Tin's global recognition inspires the AAPI community and showcases the diverse cultural tapestry and profound impact within it.

“Flocks a Mile Wide”, from Christopher Tin’s Grammy-nominated The Lost Birds album, explores nature and ecosystem balance, resonating with Asian cultures' reverence for nature and the AAPI community's values of harmony.  The UN Chamber Music Society proudly premiered the chamber orchestra version on the global platforms of the United Nations on World Wildlife Day in 2023. 

"Reprise" from Spirited Away, by legendary Japanese composer Joe Hisaishi, was arranged by his family for the UN Chamber Music Society. Famously sung by Hisaishi’s daughter, Mai Fujisawa, it was performed at a UN peace event in 2018. The composition embodies resilience and hope, mirroring the AAPI community's strength.

Founded in 2016 by Brenda Vongova, the UN Chamber Music Society is dedicated to promoting the UN goals at large - through the universal language of music.  

Music Programme

UN Chamber Music Society
of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council
Brenda Vongova, Artistic Director & Piano

Hana Mundiya, Violin
Josh Liu, Violin
Marco Sabatini, Viola
Elisabeth Chang, Cello

CHRISTOPHER TIN (1976 - ) "Baba Yetu" from Calling All Dawns (arr. for the UN Chamber Music Society)
Hana Mundiya (Violin), Josh Liu (Violin), Marco Sabatini (Viola), Elisabeth Chang (Cello), Brenda Vongova (Piano)

CHRISTOPHER TIN (1976 - ) 'Flocks a Mile Wide' from The Lost Birds (arr. Piano Quintet)
Hana Mundiya (Violin), Josh Liu (Violin), Marco Sabatini (Viola), Elisabeth Chang (Cello), Brenda Vongova

JOE HISAISHI (1950 - ) "Reprise" from Spirited Away (arr. by Sachiko Miyano for the UN Chamber Music Society)
Hana Mundiya (Violin), Josh Liu (Violin), Marco Sabatini (Viola), Elisabeth Chang (Cello), Brenda Vongova (Piano)

Presented by Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY)

UN CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY
READINGS DURING DCINY'S PRESENTATION OF
 

ONE WORLD: The Music of Sir Karl Jenkins’ “Gloria”

20 January 2025
7:00pm EST (New York)
Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage, Carnegie Hall
 

On 20 January 2025, at the Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage, Carnegie Hall, the UN Chamber Music Society of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council (UNCMS) will deliver readings during DCINY’s presentation Sir Karl Jenkins’ beloved “Gloria”.  DCINY’s conductor Jonathan Griffith will lead singers from around the globe.  In addition, Sir Karl Jenkins, who was awarded Knighthood in the 2015 Queen's Birthday Honours for his contributions to classical music worldwide, will join as composer-in-residence.   

Founded in 2016 by Brenda Vongova, the UN Chamber Music Society is dedicated to promoting the United Nations' goals and values at large - through the universal language of music.  The United Nations embraces interreligious dialogue to diminish hostility, and promote mutual respect and harmony among the people and cultures of the world.  In a similar vein, Sir Karl Jenkins’ “Gloria” is a sacred choral composition in five musical movements, featuring texts focusing on the concept of the divine from various world religions. It takes as its main text the Latin version of the hymn of praise to God from the traditional Christian Mass.  Spoken passages from sacred text from four ancient world religious traditions are then integrated between the movements.  This concept is a unifying feature of all world religions, commonly defined as a personal and loving God or as an eternal truth that governs the universe.
 

Readings during the performance of Sir Karl Jenkins’ “Gloria”

UN Chamber Music Society

Brenda Vongova, President & Artistic Director [Arabic – Islam: The first chapter of the Qur’an, known as ‘Al Fatiha’ (The Opening), which is recited in Muslim daily prayers.]
Christopher Hudson [Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit - Buddhism: The last lines of the Diamond Sutra, the world’s oldest dated printed book.]
Gang Yue [Chinese - Taoism: The opening of the principal Taoist scripture, the Tao Te Ching (The Classic of the Way and Virtue.)]

Dr. Purna Prasad [Sanskrit - Hinduism: Excerpt from the Bhagavadgita (Song of the Divine), the classic Hindu scripture.]

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Tickets: Carnegiehall.org | CarnegieCharge 212-247-7800

Box Office at 57^th and Seventh

https://www.carnegiehall.org/calendar/2025/01/20/the-music-of-sir-karl-jenkins-0700pm