LVPA INVITED THE LEHIGH VALLEY REGION TO STAND AND BE COUNTED TO BREAK GUINNESS WORLD RECORD DURING THE U.S. DEBUT OF THE POVERTY REQUIEM IN BETHLEHEM’S PAYROW PLAZA ON OCTOBER 17, 2007

LVPA was the only U.S. group performing along with 100 other countries on every continent to break world record and mobilize against world poverty—

WHAT:        THE POVERTY REQUIEM

The Poverty Requiem is an artistic performance that makes a statement against World Poverty. The haunting work incorporates vocal, instrumental music, and dance to bring attention to the one-third of the world’s people living in poverty.

The Poverty Requiem, written by Dutch composer Peter Maissan and Sylvia Borren, is made up of five movements about poverty’s impact on people: The suffering, the anger, the mourning, the humor and the hope.

WHERE:      PAYROW PLAZA IN BETHLEHEM, MAIN AND CHURCH STREETS

WHEN:        OCTOBER 16, 4:30 P.M. IN THE LOBBY OF THE UNITED NATIONS

OCTOBER 17, AT 12 P.M. AND 6 P.M. FREE ADMISSION

OCTOBER 21, WORLD BANK HEADQUARTERS (PARK ACROSS THE STREET)

WHO:          250 LVPA STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN THIS GLOBAL INITIATIVE TO WHICH THE PUBLIC WAS INVITED FREE. Last year, 23.5 million people stood up against poverty in a 24 hour, period setting a massive new Guinness World Record.

LVPA is the only organization in the USA to participate in the “Poverty Requiem,” says Dr. David McConnell, Artistic Director of Vocal Music at LVPA, who will conduct the Bethlehem performance.