Pictured right: The Buffalo Suzuki Strings; left is the current San Marino Chamber Singers poster, Tokyo, Japan 04/07

2008 has both been an anniversary year as well as one of expansion and great recognition.

2008 Travel Facilitation For (Among Others!):
· NYC's The Collegiate Chorale - Israel, w/Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Maestro Zubin Mehta, Conducting
· Stella Boreales - China, Beijing, during Cultural Olympiad (Noted Canadian youth ensemble)
· Greenwich Choral Society - France, New Sister City Project developed by FAF; led by European Program Manager Szilvia Agoston
· San Marino Chamber Singers (CA), Synergy of Clayton Productions (UT), and the Coe College Bands (IA) ensembles discover and concertize throughout Asia. FAF's Artistic Director, Yin-Chu Jou, has opened a new horizon for FAF cultural exchanges and concert tours.
· Greenwich Honor Choir - New Orleans, following Ms. Jou in the footsteps of the successful Youth Symphony for United Nations and music exchange led by Yin-Chu in 2006 and 2007. The free- to-the-public music concerts and exchanges will include a joint concert with the New Orleans Children's Choir. These tours have been hailed nationally as part of local healing there.

· Inbound to New York, FAF will help host music ensembles Reykjavik Opera Choir (Iceland), Skagfirska Söngsveitin (Iceland), Gospel Sisters Reykjavik (Iceland), Haapaniemen Youth Wind Orchestra (Finland), and Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts Academy Concert Band (Hong Kong) , at the United Nations, Carnegie Hall, and elsewhere.

· Special Event: The foundation has been selected by the Nongovernmental Organizations formally affiliated with the UN's Department of Public Information (NGO DPI Executive Committee), to work directly with them on a fund development project centered around FAF's travel facilitation and related fund development efforts. The project will assist delegates and others prepare their travel arrangements to the September conference at UNESCO headquarters while providing funds that would otherwise go to for-profit agents or websites back into support for the 60th anniversary commemoration of the signing of the UN Declaration of Human Rights (in Paris, 1948). Over 2000 are expected to attend the by-invitation- only events.

Contact FAF online, by email, or phone and we will begin the process of evaluating your program and making the appropriate suggestions to help your organization, ensemble, or academic institution travel virtually anywhere in the world.

Choir, Orchestra, Dance, and Theater directors who contact FAF in the early Spring by April 15, 2008 are eligible for familiarization trips abroad to destinations they are considering. Call today for all the details.

And, all group leaders travel free on all FAF tours. Some even draw income from their service during some voluntourism and other international projects.

FAF trips are eligible to raise funds for the organizations we serve. Without incurring UBIT (Unrelated business income tax), any nonprofit (without travel central to their mission) can work with FAF may be able to shield tax deductible donations. Call for details.

Every organization and ensemble preparing international cultural exchanges, concert tours, voluntourism projects, NYC/UN visits, and other nonprofit association based gatherings could use FAF on its side. The foundation is not for profit, tax exempt, economical, safe and well-connected global organization that can help you make your next group travel experience singular in every way.

FAF programs include air and land arrangements, real people to people exchange, concert arrangements when appropriate, personal travel insurance, a password protected, online travel information service with your current program information, available to you and your family 24/7, and full tax deduction as allowed by law for every participant on a Friendship Ambassadors Foundation program.

For more information, please contact us, at
friendlyam@faf.org
www.faf.org
1-800-526-2908

Individuals and Choral Ensembles Join us for two wonderful weeks on the Baltics, stopping, visiting, and performing in some of northern Europe's most desirable destinations. Special: Maestro Harold Rosenbaum conducts all singers in St. Petersburg with a local orchestra there.

Note: Choirs perform throughout under their own conductor; choristers will be invited to be led by Mr. Rosenbaum; onboard workshops provide all with a unique choral experience at sea; Mr. Rosenbaum will lead one large ensemble sing in St. Petersburg, only, unless there is need for a second concert due to over capacity.

Contact FAF's Artistic Director, Ms. Yin-Chu Jou, for more details, at: 1-800-526-2908.

Many of those who receive the FAF Newsletter have been traveling with the organization for years, in some cases, decades. In 2008, the foundation will celebrate its 35th anniversary, with a special commemorative dinner on Wednesday, August 13, at the world renowned Tavern on the Green restaurant in Central Park, Manhattan, New York City.

We would like invite you to join us! Give us a call at 001-203-542-0652 and plan to have a wonderful time at our 35th anniversary dinner.

In the early 1970's, the following ensembles, organizations, and academic institutions began the legacy - - is your ensemble or school among them? IF SO, WE ESPECIALLY WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Ensembles, schools, and communities that traveled with FAF in the first several years of our existence appear below in state order, from Alabama to Wyoming - where are they now?:

Auburn University Singers ? Muscle Shoals High School Jazz Band ? Jacksonville State University Jazz Ensemble ? Chapel Youth Choir of Central United Methodist Church ? Palo Verde Jubileers ? Hendrix College Choir ? Ouachi-Tones from Ouachita Baptist University ? Arkansas State University Male Chorus ? Singing Men of Ouachita Baptist University ? Allan Hancock A Capella Choir ? The Icthus Folk Team of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church ? The Stardettes ? The Young Rebels ? San Francisco Boys Choir ? Santa Clara Choral ? Santa Barbara High School Madrigal Singers ? Miss Porters School Choir ? Westhill High School Chamber Singers ? The Orphenians Chorus at Staples High School ? Trumbull High School Chamber Choir ? University of Florida Jazz Band ? Florida State University Jazz Band ? Winter Haven Orchestra Association, Inc. ? University of Miami Chamber Singers ? The Gulf Kirk Ringers of First Presbyterian Church ? Rollins College Chapel Choir ? West Georgia College Singers ? Emory University Glee Club & Chorale ? The Friendship Cloggers ? Riverwood High School Chorale ? The Westminster Ensemble ? American Musical Theatre I&II * The Hazardous Terrific Northern Trappers * Northwestern University Mime Company * Clarke-Loras Singers from Clarke College * Wartburg College Choir * Tabor College Romania Tour Choir * Ottawa University Chorale * Bethel College Choir * The Lexington Singers * Southeastern Christian College Choir * Patsy Bloor Dancers * Foxcroft Academy Band * The Designed Xpression of the University of Maine at Farmington * The Modos of Northfield Mt. Hermon School The New England Youth Ensemble * Worcester Community Orchestra of Worcester State College * Merrimack Valley Academy of Dance * University Chorale and Chamber Singers of the University of Massachusetts Fine Arts Center * University of Massachusetts Brass Choir ? Hampshire Chorale Society ? Milton Academy Chamber Singers ? Seaholm High School Choir ? The Asher Troupe of Michigan State University Asher Student Foundation ? Central High School A Cappella Choir ? Battle Creek Central High School Choir ? Alma College A Cappella Choir ? The Lan Swing Choir of Lansing Community College ? The Maycroft Square Tappers ? Slavik Folk Dance Ensemble of Oakland University ? Warren Woods High School Concert Choir ? Chippewa Valley Swing Choir & Jazz Ensemble ? Central Michigan University Concert Choir ? Andrews University Concert Band & Brass Ensemble ? The Jills & The Chamber Singers ? Escanaba High School Chamber Chorale ? The Elsingers of East Lansing High School ? Macalester College Choir ? St. John's University Men's Chorus ? The Apollo Strings of North Junior High School ? Minnesota Vocal Arts Ensemble of the University of Minnesota at Morris ? The Ellis Street Singers of Mankato State University ? The Renaissance Chamber Consort * The University Singers of the ? University of Minnesota at Duluth ? The Crusaders Choir ? The Lamplighters of Meridian High School ? Rust College Choir ? The Troubadours of Millsaps College ? The Friendship Chorale of Notre Dame High School

Nebraska Wesleyen University Choir ? Keene High School A Cappella Choir ? Manchester Memorial High School Choir ? Rutgers Glee Club ? Collingswood High School Chorus ? Hackensack High School Choir ? Highland Park Singers of Highland Park High School ? Metuchen Kleine Choir ? Middlesex County College Choir ? Northern Highlands Concert Choir of Northern Highlands Regional High School ? Ramsey High School Choir ? Rancocas Valley High School Choir ? Trenton State College Singers ? Westfield Chorale of Westfield High School ? Montclair High School Choir ? Moorestown Madrigals of Moorestown High School ? Cedar Ridge ? High School Concert Choir ? The Eighth Day of Millville Y.M.C.A. ? Pingry School Glee Club ? The Belles & Madrigals of the East of Cherry High School East ? South Plainfield A Cappella Choir ? Cinnaminson High School Chamber Singers ? Dwight-Englewood High School Choir ? Cantabile Singers of Jonathan Dayton Regional High School ? Randolph High School Concert Choir ? Roy Meyer Swingers ? Lawrenceville Glee Club ? Help Educate People Chorus ? Performing Arts Foundation, Inc. ? Brooklyn College Percussion Ensemble ? Syosset High School Marching Band ? Trinity School Choir/TISOT ? The Archdiocese of New York Chorus ? Association for the Furtherment of Bel Canto ? Bronx Community Orchestra ? Dobbs Glee Club of The Masters School ? Fredonia College Choir of the State University of New York ? Horace Mann Glee Club ? Martin Luther King, Jr. Male Glee Club of Theodore Roosevelt High School ? Music Men of Syracuse ? The New Frontier ? The New York Vocal Arts Ensemble ? Ninety-First Street Singers of The Convent of the Sacred Heart ? P&J Folk Singers of Sts. Philip and James Parrish ? Riverside Chamber Ensemble ? Southside High School Concert Choir ? Calliope's Children ? Chappaqua Choral Group ? Hunter College High School Senior Chorus ? International Formation Dance Team ? Manhattanville College Chorus ? Ladycliff Glee Club ? The University Chorale of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro ? Warren Wilson College Choir & Band ? Greensboro Youtheatre of Greensboro Park & Recreation Department ? Appalachian State University Jazz Ensemble ? University Chorus of the University of ? North Dakota College of Fine Arts ? Bismarck High School Concert Choir ? Lorain County Civic Musicum of Lorain County Community College ? Singing Angels ? Sing-Out Troy ? North Central High School Ambassadors Chorus ? The Denison Singers of Denison University ? Cincinnati University Singers ? The Young Tulsans ? The Roustabouts of the University of Northern Oklahoma ? Norman High School Orchestra ? Belles & Beaus Square Dance Team ? Churchill Area High School Choir ? Coatsville Choraliers ? Hickory High School Choir ? Keystone High School Choir ? The Lockettes ? The Neighbortones ? Radnor High School Jazz Ensemble ? The Meridian Fife & Drum Woodpeckers ? Montrose Jr. High School Choir ? Bala Cynwyd Jr. High School Band ? Keystone Squares ? Nittany Knights ? North Penn State Bands The Philharmonic Society ? The Shipley School Chorus ? The Shy-Anns ? Upper Merion Area High School Concert & Jazz Bands ? Elkland High School Marching Band Smethport's Swingin' Seventies ? Ballet des Jeunes ? The Harmony Sun of the Catholic Youth Ministry ? Upper Darby Concert Choir ? The Crystal Band of Scranton ? The Forty-Niners Chorus ? The Syncopated Seniors of the Senior Adult Activity Center of India Valley ? The Tri-State Squares ? Westminster College Choir ? Delaware County Choral Society ? The Larraine Susa Dancers ? North Kingston High School Concert Choir ? Brown University Chorus ? The Furman Singers of Furman University ? Carolina Alive & Radiant Vibrations of the University of South Carolina ? Black Hills State College Wind & Jazz Ensemble ? The Norsemen of Hillcrest High School ? Rutherford Square Dancers ? Carson-Newman College Singers ? Southwestern Singers of Southwestern University at Memphis ? Memorial Jr. High School Choir ? Trinity University Choir

University of Texas Longhorn Singers ? University of Texas Jazz Ensemble ? Reagan High School Choir ? Singing Cadets of Texas A&M University ? Westlake High School Choir ? Wesley Singers of First United Methodist Church ? His Brother's Children ? The Choraliers of Southwestern Union College ? Hardin- Simmons University Choir ? Hereford Chamber Singers ? Kilgore Rangerettes of Kilgore Junior College ? Texas Women's University Concert Choir ? Abilene Christian University Concert Choir ? Sam Houston State University Jazz Ensemble ? Texas Chamber Singers of Roosevelt High School Boys Choir ? Texas Chamber Singers of South Houston High School Choir ? International Folk Dancers of Brigham Young University ? The Sounds of Brigham Young University ? Synthesis of Brigham Young University ? The Young Ambassadors of Brigham Young University ? Liberty Youth Singers of Liberty Baptist Church ? Sing-Out Roanoke ? Sing-Out South ? Dr. Kenneth Nafziger ? Walla Walla College Brass Choir & Percussion Ensemble ? Upper Columbia Academy Choraliers ? D.C. Youth Chorale of Paul Jr. High School ? Howard University Jazz Ensemble ? Alliance for Arts Educators of the John F. Kennedy Center ? West Virginia Wesleyan College Jazz Ensemble ? Ohio Valley Chorale of West Liberty State College ? Alderson-Broaddus College Touring Choir ? Mitzi Layne Dance Troupe ? Greater Milwaukee Touring Youth Symphony ? Carrol College Choir ? Viterbo College Concert Choir ? The Collegiate Chorale of the University of Wyoming

Registration Now Open: Individual Delegates, Performing Ensembles, Youth Achievement Award Nominees

5th Annual Youth Assembly at the United Nations
Dr. Elaine Valdov, Secretary General

Ildiko Szucs, Project Director
Events take place: August 6 - 16, 2008
In & around U.N. Headquarters, NYC, USA

Leadership Seminar
August 6 - 10, 2008 at Pace University, Pleasantville (suburban New York)
A select group of youth leaders meet prior to the main gathering. Bringing together individuals and organizations with ongoing or proposed projects or campaigns in need of development and organizational skills.

Youth Assembly at the UN
August 11 - 14, at UN Headquarters, NYC, Pace University (Manhattan campus), and elsewhere in New York City

One of the largest youth gatherings at the United Nations each year. Enabling youth leadership in support of Millennium Development Goals success.
DURING THE YA:
· United Cultures (UC) Peace Arts Festival, In the UN's Dag Hammarskjold Auditorium Theatre
· Culture Night, Ensembles and Individuals from around the world. Native costumes, all disciplines
· Campaign Night, at the nearby Turkish Consulate, where current campaigns and projects identify volunteer and intern support.

Extension: Meet New York
Stay in New York during the weekend after the Youth Assembly. Network with new friends and colleagues among the delegates. Performance ensembles extend their concert appearances in and around the NYC area. Extension includes special meals, Broadway experience, walking tours, concerts or other cultural exchange opportunities for groups, more.

Pictured: His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein, Jordan.

In 2007, the Youth Assembly at the United Nations held its exclusive Leadership Seminar prior to the main events, in early August at Pace University's bucolic suburban campus.

Invited to participate at that event was a very special youth leader, and one of the directors of the "We Are All Jordan Youth Commission", Ahmad Rafi Al-Hindawi from Amman.

As it turns out, Mr. Al-Hindawi was enabled to participate by the Royal Hashemite Court of King Abdullah II. Upon his return with glowing reports from the UN experience, His Highness' office contacted FAF and Mr. Sciarratta to offer royal thanks.

After a series of emails from FAF and hand delivered air couriered replies from the Royal Court in Amman Executive Director Patrick Sciarratta was invited to attend the 4th Conference of Nobel Laureates, in Petra Jordan, June 15-20, 2008 directly by King Abdullah II of Jordan and Elie Wiesel, of the Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity.

The Royal Court wrote to Mr. Sciarratta last December promising to cover all costs in order to enable him to add ideas and focus to a new initiative the laureates will consider this spring.

The gathering of Nobel Laureates and others will begin an effort to develop a super fund for education and youth empowerment initiatives throughout the world. 

Mr. Sciarratta will lead a team of youth at that historic destination.

"While in Petra, I will attempt to identify funds for youth who are engaged in global cultural exchange programs, and especially service projects and concert tours where joint concerts and homestays occur, and particularly among regions of the world where cultural strengthening is crucial to world peace," he stated. "In addition, I will help identify difficult to find travel support for global youth leaders involved in gatherings similar to the annual Youth Assembly at the United Nations.

"That is what FAF's mission is all about - enabling people to get together across difficult cultural terrain and share meaningful experiences that help promote mutual understanding."

email: friendshipambassadors@faf.org

phone: 203 542 0652

web: http://www.faf.org