Rhythm and Harmony

Last weekend I chanced upon a very encouraging sight and sound.  Strolling through Parramatta we came across a group of mainly young and a few older people about to start playing music.  Calling themselves Rhythms of Peace this was to be only their second public performance.
The group of a dozen or so were a mixture of South Asian and Middle East students and a few elders from the surrounding schools and area.  Two of them were only 8 years old.  Then the music started – magnificent.  Highly percussive with overtones of beautiful harmonies – instrumental and vocal.

The two youngest (a boy and a girl) contributed their dance movements (she, from her cultural heritage and he adding hip-hop moves to the music).  As we sat in the sunshine and listened and watched I thought of how this grouping was encouraging for the future.  The backgrounds of the group and the musical influences came from cultures quite geographically removed, now transported to Australia.  Yes, diversity yet bringing about harmony.  I thought of the title of my blog site.  Here before my eyes and ears was the rainbow personified.

The group itself is a project of SEVA International who have a vision of social cohesion with diversity.  The project has been funded by the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

Later I learnt that a goal of SEVA was to “build understanding, acceptance and harmony through sharing of culture, experience and history”.  If the rhythms and harmonies I heard and saw in that sunny mall in Parramatta were anything to go by then SEVA are well on their way to building that. 

Well done to SEVA and the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.  A special high five to the young people who brought their diverse musical styles together in a beautiful way.