Help Haiti's aspiring young musicians keep the music alive.
It is our belief as musicians, that music has the ability to improve lives. While the nation of Haiti continues to pull itself together, we musicians hope to ensure the continuing of musical education in Port Au Prince and beyond.
Common Cloud Records along with the Carrefour Collaborative and the artists involved here have set out to do just that. Each installment of these limited edition seven inches will focus on an immediate and specific need facing young musicians in Haiti.
Through the generosity of the musicians and artists involved, every penny spent on one of these seven inches will go directly to the cause. By purchasing one of these records, you are affirming the belief that music can indeed improve lives, and its healing and empowering qualities are needed now more than ever before. Let us ensure that the musical aspirations of each of these students do not become casualties of this indelible tragedy.
Ragged Claws in Haiti
Paul Karner (of Ragged Claws, Series 1 contributor) has spent the past 4 summers teaching music at the Holy Trinity School in Port Au Prince and the Dessaix Baptiste Music School in Jacmel. In 2009, Kimberly and Paul both traveled to Haiti to volunteer and in May 2010, Paul returned to survey the earthquake damage, and to assist in restarting the music education programs.
"It is impossible to communicate the importance of these cultural institutions without understanding the daily struggles faced by almost every Haitian - something that continues to unveil itself to me as I return. The students are given the rare and magnanimous opportunity to study music and become an artist, and in turn provide their country and their communities with an invaluable gift of pride and joy that is palpable at all of the performances and recitals that I've been a part of. I received a call from one of my students in Jacmel 4 days after the quake informing me that the school was cracked but still standing and that he was still practicing his guitar a lot. If these institutions meant something before this tragedy befell Haiti, their importance has only been magnified in its wake."
"If these institutions meant something before this tragedy befell Haiti, their importance has only been magnified in its wake."
- Paul Karner
- Paul Karner
How are proceeds from this project used?
100% of all proceeds will go towards the rebuilding of Haiti's musical education programs.
SERIES 1 PROCEEDS
Proceeds from Series One will be used to purchase instruments and equipment for the Holy Trinity School of Music in Port au Prince to replace those destroyed by the earthquake.
SERIES 2 PROCEEDS
Series two proceeds will continue to purchase supplies for the school and will also be put towards a fund to support the staff and faculty of the Holy Trinity School of Music and the Dessaix Baptiste School of Music in Jacmel.
How much of the proceeds are actually getting to Haiti?
Series One was made entirely on donations and artist contributions, so every cent of those is going directly towards the purchase of instruments. The proceeds of each subsequent series will go directly towards haiti after printing costs are covered (i.e. about 8.50 out of every ten dollars). None of the artists or labels are receiving any compensation for their participation (A thosand thanks to those involved!) and we are working with volunteers and other organizations traveling to Haiti so that costs of transporting supplies are at an absolute minimum. Check the Fey Blog for updates on how we put this money to use.
What organization is behind this?
We are working with a small group of individual organizations such as Instrumental Change and the Carrefour Collaborative , as well as a large group of volunteers and friends of the music schools in Haiti. The schools are not registered non-profits in the U.S. so if you are interested in making a tax-deductable donation of any kind please email fey7inch@gmail.com for info on all donations.
I’m a musician/artist/good-hearted person, how can I help out?
There are countless ways to help out with this project and we are constantly depending on the kindness of others. Send us an email at fey7inch@gmail.com and we’ll get you plugged in.
What does "Fey" mean?
Fey is the creole word for "leaf" and it is a positive symbol of healing in Haitian culture.