Saving the music in Haiti

When a 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti in January of last year, the world seemed to halt.

Romel Joseph, a Haitian violinist, took this tragedy and used it as an opportunity to help his community and bring music into the lives of Haiti's youth.

UT will host a performance by Joseph and his daughter, Victoria, in the Center for Performing Arts Recital Hall, Saturday at 8 p.m.

Proceeds from the event will go to the Friends of Music Education for Haiti, Inc., who will use the funds toward the building of the Haiti Center for Performance Arts.

FMEH was founded in hopes that music and education could be brought back to Haiti even after last year's devastating earthquake.

According to Cecilia Johnson, a UT music instructor and coordinator of the event, this program intends to encourage self-esteem and pride in Haiti's youth. It could also allow Haiti to take back a sense of community and culture, which is what draws most tourists to Haiti and helps supplement the economy there.

Johnson, who will play a piece with the Josephs, wants people to understand the responsibility that her friend is exhibiting as an artist of the world and hopes people will grow to appreciate him and his cause.

"If ever a person could represent the idea that one person can change the world, Romel Joseph would be that man," Johnson said.

Joseph, who was born blind, received his undergraduate degree for music and violin performance at the University of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. After his education in Ohio, he was awarded a full scholarship to Julliard.

He eventually returned to Haiti and built a school of music that would be named after his daughter — the New Victorian School. The school was destroyed in the earthquake, which also claimed the life of Joseph's first wife, Myslie Chery-Joseph, a member of the school's staff. Classes are currently being held in a temporary location until another school can be built.

It is Joseph's ultimate hope to ensure Haiti is outfitted with an excellent music conservatory, a very modern concert hall and a well-established musical curriculum.

Skepticism has been raised about donating to Haiti's music programs when many basic necessities are still required, but Joseph believes music and self-expression are necessary as well.

"Human beings need a place to show their creativity," Johnson said. "Without a way to express being human… that squelches the will to live."

John Dodson, conductor of the Adrian Symphony Orchestra, will be directing the chamber symphony, and Renee Robbins, a pianist from Ann Arbor who previously hosted a fundraiser for this cause, will accompany the Josephs.

Approximately 20 volunteers are helping to organize the event, including UT faculty, students and freelancers from around the community.

Tickets for this event can be purchased for $15 at the door or in advance through the UT Center for Performing Arts Box Office online at www.utoledo.edu/boxoffice or by calling (419) 530-2375.