On June 8, 2023, the premiere performance of Local 1000 member Sharon Abreu’s choral work “Peace For All Time” took place on Orcas Island in Washington State, to a packed house and rave reviews! The chorus of 20 voices, soloists and instrumentalists brought to life for the first time this musical setting of President John F. Kennedy’s commencement address, which he delivered at American University on June 10, 1963. This address has become known as JFK’s ‘peace speech’. On June 10, 2023, excerpts of “Peace For All Time” were shown as the final segment of an online event commemorating the 60th anniversary of the speech, sponsored by Massachusetts Peace Action and the JFK Peace Speech Committee. This speech is as relevant today as it was 60 years ago, as we are as at risk of a nuclear war right now as we were during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Sharon’s great hope is that this approximately 25-minute piece will find its way into high school and college choruses, peace choruses, and church choirs, across the U.S., and perhaps beyond. Excerpts of “Peace For All Time”, along with testimonials and the recording of the June 10 online event can be found at https://irthlingz.com/jfk_peace_speech.html.
Awards month