Tiki tiki maj, watermelon sweet
Piri piri ajo chili pepper hot to eat
By working in her garden, Ms. Halieth she knows
With a little patience, everything grows.

These were some of the words GVP students sang on Saturday evening, Sept. 28th during Global Village Project’s 15-Year Anniversary Concert. The event, which took place  at the Oakhurst Center for Community, was a heartwarming and well-attended event that highlighted the talents of both current students and alumni. The event also featured the release of the GVP Songbook, Imagine a Circle, a compilation of songs written by and with students and alumni over the years.

The performance was directed by former Music Director, Elise Witt, and current Teaching Artist in Residence, Akua Taylor. Together, they worked closely with students and alumni to prepare for the performance, which was a true testament to the power of collaboration and creativity! The evening featured special musical guests Courtland Walters, who played an array of instruments including the cello, saxophones, clarinet, and violin, and Mick Kinney, who accompanied on piano and fiddle. They brought contagious energy and supported the student performers beautifully.

The performers, a mix of alumni and current students, were truly in their element, showcasing not just their musical abilities but also the spirit of the school. Their passion for music, honed through their experiences at the Global Village Project, was evident and captivated the audience. The songs they sang were created to use music to reinforce their learning on subjects from other classes. These included ‘Ocean Song’, ‘Our Rights’ and ‘Bridges.’

The evening culminated with a heartfelt moment as Ms. Elise was honored by Elizabeth Elango, GVP’s Head of School, with a symbolic key to Global Village Project, inviting her to continue to remain a member of GVP’s community.

After the performance, attendees were invited to stay for refreshments provided by the Atlanta Women’s Club and members of the Oakhurst Baptist Church.

You can still purchase printed copies of the song book, as well as digital PDFs and song recordings, by visiting https://elisewitt.com/web/gvp-songbook/ and all sales benefit GVP’s program.