Help The White Hands Chorus Nippon tour Vienna

Hi, we are Erika Colon and Mariko Tagashira, co-representatives of the Executive Committee of "ʻVisible An die Freude in Europe".

The White Hands Chorus is an inclusive choir started in 1995 in Venezuela, the home of "El Sistema". I (Erika) founded The White Hands Chorus Nippon (Japan) in 2017 with children who are deaf, hard of hearing, visually impaired, developmentally disabled and those without disabilities. The group is composed of a gestural part that sings with sign-language-based corporal expression and a voice group that sings in chorus.

Children translated the Ode to Joy (An die Freude) from the fourth movement of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 into sign language expressions and participated in the Ninth Symphony concert performed by Bach Collegium Japan at Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre concert hall in December 2021.

The White Hands Chorus Nippon was invited to perform The Ninth at the ZeroCon24 conference, known as the Academy Awards for Barrier-Free World, with 600 delegates from 70 countries at the United Nations in Vienna in February 2024.

We need $422,193 (€384,861) to send 80 kids with disabilities and challenges to Vienna and we are hoping to raise $100,000 here. The cost includes flights, hotels, meals, ground transportation for 80 kids and supporting adults. Most of our kids never dreamed of going abroad due to their challenges. This will be an experience of lifetime for them. Please take a part to make this miracle happen. We truly appreciate your love and support!

With love,

Erika & Mariko