Requiem concert to mark World AIDS Day

By Maryam Omidi • October 23, 2007 - 10:41

World AIDS Day originated in 1988, at the World Summit of Ministers of Health on Programmes for AIDS Prevention.

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The London Oratory School's Schola and a host of star soloists will mark World AIDS Day 2007 with a concert to raise funds and awareness.

The internationally-acclaimed boy's choir will be performing the Gareth Valentine and Durufle versions of Requiem as well as the world premiere of a new commission by Colin Mawby entitled A Song of Hope.

All proceeds will go to Terence Higgins Trust, the UK's leading HIV and AIDS charity, and SOS Children's Villages for children orphaned through AIDS.

Schola director Lee Ward said: "The role of the Requiem is to honour those who have died and give hope to those who live on."

World AIDS Day originated in 1988, at the World Summit of Ministers of Health on Programmes for AIDS Prevention.

It has since been commemorated every December 1st by governments, international organisations and charities around the world.

Although the original purpose of the day - to improve education, fight prejudice and raise awareness of the AIDS pandemic, which has killed more than 25 million people - is still observed, it also marks a global appeal for all promises on AIDS to be kept.

Reflecting this goal is the World Aids Campaign slogan, "Stop AIDS: Keep the Promise," calls on all governments, policy makers and regional health authorities to ensure that they meet the targets that have been set in the battle against HIV and AIDS, above all the promise of universal access to HIV treatment, care, support and prevention services by 2010.

Deloris Dockrey of the Global Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS said: "We are still dying! While scaling up of HIV care is prioritised, it is under-funded and poorly implemented.

"Faith leaders continue to deny the existence of HIV/AIDS in the communities and congregations they serve. Governments are complacent, and have not provided the leadership needed to end the epidemic."

The Schola Concert for World AIDS Day will take place at 7.30pm on Saturday 1st December 2007 at Cadogan Hall, Sloane Terrace, London SW1.

Tickets cost £29, £26, £21 and £15. More information can be found www.cadoganhall.com

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