Cultural Program: With Swami's inspiration and Love...

The US Sai Organization is preparing a cultural program with Swami’s Divine Grace, for possible presentation in Parthi during summer of 2010. Based on Swami’s Divine Guidance, the USA cultural program will be representative of the culture of this country. It would strive to depict the universality of Swami’s message through the lens of the culture of this country. As now three programs have been finalized. All programs are being overseen by a National cultural committee. More information on these will be forthcoming in the second half of January 2010.

The cultural program will consist of some/all of these aspects:

1. National choir
2. National Unison Singing Program
3. Native American Skit by SSE Children
4. Other Considerations

National choir   [TOP]

There will be a National Choir that will sing western style devotional and inspirational songs.

The choir will consist of approximately 100 members. The members of the choir must have some basic qualifications .The following are the suggested qualifications:

• They must be able to sing and it would be good if they have sung in a chorus before
• It is helpful, but not necessary, to read music
• They must be able to sing in parts: soprano, second soprano, alto for the women, and tenor, bass for the men
• They must memorize the words and music by the time we get to India and be there at the beginning of the trip so we can practice, hopefully for at least 5 days or more together

All regional presidents are requested to suggest members for the choir, based on the above qualifications, to the Choir subcommittee by mid January. The Choir subcommittee will use these recommendations to determine the composition of the choir.
The songs and music for the choir will be available by mid January on the website for members of the choir to practice. There will be a rehearsal at the Pre Conference in Orlando.

The National choir is planning for about 30 minutes and will be part Group II.

National Unison Singing Program - Group 1:   [TOP]

June 23-Jul 3, 2010:

Sai Ram Dear Fellow Devotees, There will be a unison devotional singing program that will be prepared as part of the first Group. This is open to all, and all those interested in participating will be required to spend at least 5 days in Prashanthi practicing together. While no particular musical skills are necessary, practice will be essential to ensure quality. All will sing unison style. The Program will reflect the diversity of US languages, cultures, and religions and will incorporate songs and chants and brief introductions/explanations about the US culturally and/or historically.

The following 14 songs will be used in our program. Please note that many of the song recordings (not the songs) have been updated as of May 26th. These changes were required in order to make the songs better suited for unison singing, as well as to heighten the character and variety of music styles. In many cases the scale/pitch has changed, while in others the music style and tempo have also changed. Make sure you become thoroughly familiar with the new versions of the songs - please don’t assume they remain the same.

Please be sure to thoroughly read the "Lyrics and Training File" posted below before proceeding to the songs. This file is to be used in conjunction with the new song recordings in practices.

The goal for all devotees remains unchanged: To have the songs memorized prior to arriving in Puttaparthi.

Lyrics and training file   PPT     PDF

Songs list in Alphabetical order:        - Download all songs

1. Gananam Twa Medley: This sacred Vedic Chant, paired with a musical arrangement, will open the program to clear our path of obstacles.
2. Adoramus Te Christe Medley: This song is a combination of three traditional Christian prayers: Adoramus te Christe in Latin means “We adore you Lord Christ”, Ave Maria is a prayer to Mother Mary, Kyrie Eleison has Greek origins and is traditionally sung by the faithful in praise of the Lord for his Mercy. Hallelujah is a joyful expression which means “Praise the Lord”.
3. Everyone is My Brother: This original composition making use of several languages describes how chanting the name of Sai can lead us see our unity. Recording has a bit of delay between voices and instruments in the first lines of the song.
4. Family Feeling: This original composition describes how when one develops the feeling of love in their heart, the whole world is one family filled with our brothers and sisters. Final scale is "E".
5. Love All Serve All: This song describes our beloved Sai, who is always giving and serving while loving all equally. So we should be inspired by his example to love all and serve all. Final scale is "A".
6. Si Me Caigo: This is a Spanish devotional song of gratitude to Swami, without whom we cannot even take a single step in this life. He lifts us up and protects us with Love. Final scale is "F".
7. Til’ We are One With the Lord: This song describes how we should stand together and love each other, spread peace, open our hearts, and help the lonely and the poor until we are one with the Lord.
8. Hine Ma Tov/ Shalu Shalom/ Shalom Aleichem: This is a medley of three short Jewish songs each more upbeat than the prior. The first song states that are they who in peace, unity and friendship work together will be happy. The second song is a prayer for peace in all the world. The third song is for peace upon all. Final scale is "D".
9. Awesome God: This is a contemporary Christian song sung in various styles in many churches throughout the US . The song praises the wisdom, power and love of God. Long interlude and narration after 2nd verse will not take place in Parthi program
   
   9a.   Awesome God - Female chorus: Only song where all the females sing the harmony and all males sing the melody in the chorus
10. You are the Rhythm in the Holy Rain: This original composition speaks of our Lord Sai who as the rhythm in the holy rain, the song in the holy sea, and the whisper in the holy wind, is everything in our heart.
11. Surrender to the Feet of the Lord: This song contains both English and Indian lyrics advising us to surrender to the feet of our Lord whom we adore.
12. Un Solo Dios: This is a Sarva Dharma song in Spanish and English. It is about the one God who is called many names and who will unite all of humanity into one with love. Final scale is "D".
13. Come and Go With Me to That Land: A traditional African American spiritual song. Final scale is "F".
14. Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba: This is a favorite devotional song sung in centers throughout the US to our dear Kali Yuga Avatar. All lines will be repeated twice in Parthi program. Final scale is "E".

Native American Skit by SSE children - Group 2:   [TOP]

The program is titled "All Our Relations: Teachings from the American Indian Medicine Wheel." The program reflects teachings from the American Indian use of the medicine wheel as a way to honor all beings in the sacred wheel of life, and to bring individuals and society back in alignment with Atmic consciousness. It includes a spiritually uplifting presentation of songs, chants, dancing. The Skit will be part of the second Group 2. The current duration of this program is around 45 minutes.

The Skit will also include live singing by over 100 children from across the USA. The songs are chosen from the skit and will be sung between scenes. Download the songs and lyrics if you are interested or if your children are participating in live singing.

1. All My Relations


2. We are one in the Infinite Sun


3. Fly like an Eagle


4. We are the children of the Earth and Sun


5. Swami O Swami


6. Ho Li A La Ho

Harmonies

1. All My Relations (Third Harmony)
2. All My Relations (Fifth Harmony)


3. We are one in the Infinite Sun (Third Harmony)
4. We are one in the Infinite Sun (Fifth Harmony)


5. Fly like an Eagle (Harmony)


6. We are the children of the Earth and Sun (Third Harmony)
7. We are the children of the Earth and Sun (Fifth Harmony)


8. Swami O Swami (Third Harmony)
9. Swami O Swami (Fifth Harmony)


10. Ho Li A La Ho (Harmony)

Additional Songs

1. Ancient Mother


2. Listen Listen