Pihcintu, a Portland chorus made up of young people from 17 countries, has been invited to perform at the United Nations Plaza in New York City on Thursday.
The group will perform at an event called “Under One Sky,” said Con Fullam, the chorus’ director and founder.
The event’s purpose is to help raise awareness for efforts to fight global poverty, inequality and climate change.
Fullam started the chorus 10 years ago as an outlet for Portland-area youngsters from families who had fled wars, violence and other troubles in their native countries.
The 34 members of the chorus today range in age from 10 to 23. They have come from Cambodia, China, Congo, Kenya, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Uganda and Zambia.
The group’s name is a Passamaquoddy word meaning, roughly, “When she sings, her voice carries far.”
In 2014, the group was invited to perform for a World Refugee Day event at the Kennedy Center in New York City.
That performance caught the attention of the office of the United Nations high commissioner for refugees, and led to Pihcintu’s invitation to this event, Fullam said.
For more information on Pihcintu, go to pihcintu.org.
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