The Stranger
Together In Hope Project partnered with USA for UNHCR (the UN Refugee Agency) to create “The Stranger”, a project designed to raise global awareness about refugees and displaced persons, and to raise funds for humanitarian aid for refugees. This project culminated in two special events under the direction of Artistic Director Mark Stover:
World premiere of “The Stranger” at Trondheim International Olavsfest—2022. The Together in Hope Choir was invited to deliver the opening concert of this largest cultural festival in Norway on July 28, 2022. The Together In Hope Choir and the TrondheimSolistene performed “The Stranger”, new music composed by Kim André Arnesen. The theme of this annual festival for 2022 was Hope.
U.S. premiere in Saint Paul, October 15-16, 2022. We were delighted to present two performances of this important new “music with a purpose” at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts. We were honored to host nearly 900 immigrants and refugees from 30 local organizations as our guests, as well as Her Majesty Queen Sonja of Norway at these performances.
The plight of refugees is one of the most critical issues of our time, not only in the United States but globally. In 2023 more than 110 million people worldwide have been forced to flee their homes—more than at any other time since the end of World War II. The world coronavirus pandemic only intensifies the challenge. Our goal is to use the universal language of music to raise awareness of this issue.
Our Partner
About UNHCR
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), also known as the UN Refugee Agency, is the world’s leading organization aiding and protecting people forced to flee their homes due to violence, conflict and persecution. UNHCR provides shelter, food, water, medical care and other lifesaving assistance to refugees around the world.
Who We Are
USA for UNHCR serves vulnerable people around the world who have been forced to flee their homes because of violence, conflict and persecution.
Through the generosity of the American people, USA for UNHCR helps refugees survive, provides hope for recovery and prepares them for independence in a new and permanent home.
We protect refugees and empower them with hope and opportunity.
In the Media
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“Concert Works to Raise Awareness to Refugees. “The Stranger” debuts at Saint Paul’s Ordway” October 14, 2022
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“Together in Hope Choir performs Kim Andre Arnesen's works in St. Paul” October 5, 2022
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“Choral project focuses on religions’ response to immigrants, refugees” September 30, 2022
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“Original musical raises awareness for refugees in Minnesota and around the world.” October 14, 2022
Kim André Arnesen
Composer
Kim André Arnesen (b. 1980) is one of the most frequently performed composers from Norway today. He grew up in Trondheim, played the piano at the music school and was a chorister in the Nidaros Cathedral Boys’ Choir. He was educated at the Music Conservatory in Trondheim. With a big interest in baroque music, contemporary classical music, and popular music, Kim could have taken many roads, but choral music became his greatest passion. As a composer, he had his first performance at the age of 18 with the boys’ choir. Since then he has written music that has been performed by choirs all over the world.
His major works include “Magnificat” (2010), “Requiem” (2014), “The Wound in the Water” (2016), “Holy Spirit Mass” (2017), “Tuyvahan – Beaititudes for a Wounded World” (2018), and “So That the World May Believe” (2018).
Kim is an elected member of the Norwegian Composers Society, and a full-time composer focusing on choral music. Since 2017 he has been a house composer of Boosey & Hawkes, publishers.
Artistic Partners
TrondheimSolistene
TrondheimSolistene (The Trondheim Soloists) from Norway is one of the most exciting young ensembles performing on the international stage. The orchestra’s energetic musicality and sheer joy in music-making are infectious. The orchestra has performed with leading artists not only in classical music, but also in jazz, folk music, rock and pop.
TrondheimSolistene has been featured on more than 50 albums, received a total of ten Grammy nominations, as well as glowing international reviews. The orchestra’s best-selling release to date has been Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” on the Deutsche Grammophon label (with approximately 700,000 records sold). The orchestra together with the Nidaros Cathedral Girls’ Choir received a GRAMMY for the recording LUX in 2019.