By Linda S. Minner, APR
March 3, 2003

The violins played. The voices echoed with joy the sound of music, which would ring forth the praise of peace. It took 18 months of concerted efforts of many volunteers to plan what thousands would benefit from during Valentine's Day week. Virginia Beach and its Sister Cities, Moss, Norway; Miyazaki, Japan; and Bangor, North Down, Northern Ireland celebrated the uniting of nations in peace and harmony during the International Sister Cities Music Festival. Four sister cities held this unprecedented celebration in conjunction with the 40th anniversary of the city of Virginia Beach.

Virginia Beach hosted the International Sister Cities Music Festival to promote everlasting peace and understanding, the spirit of goodwill, and the brotherhood and sisterhood of the world through music. The sister cities offered a stunning musical festival featuring Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 and fabulous choirs from four nations.

Virginia Beach Mayor Meyera E. Oberndorf said, "This was the first ever international music festival of record for four sister cities. We are proud to come together in a spirit of cooperation and peace to provide beautiful music to Hampton Roads and raise awareness of the need for international unity."

On the evening of Feb. 13, the Miyazaki City Philharmonic Orchestra presented short programs and "Voices of Love and Peace," a unique joint choral concert, featuring the Miyazaki Men's Chorus and choirs from Moss, Miyazaki and Bangor. "The efforts of the musicians and choirs not only gave us a glimpse into their cultural heritage but also showed their commitment to our nation, our language and our city," said Oberndorf.

In addition to the performances held at the Virginia Beach Pavilion, the choirs spent the week visiting 14 schools from elementary to high school to bring the message of peace through music. There are 75,000 students in the Virginia Beach City Public Schools system, many of whom had the chance to hear performances from the choirs of Miyazaki, Moss and Bangor, ask questions, exchange information and gifts, and begin another generation's connection to the world at large.

Virginia Beach Mayor and mayors of Moss, Miyazaki and Bangor met to discuss economics, and municipal and international issues. They shared perspectives and ideas on how they could facilitate their optimal community development through collaborative exchanges. They also concurred on the importance of sustaining exchanges in education, youth, technical information, civic and community alliances, art and music, and tourism and economic development.

Before returning to Japan, Miyazaki officials donated $5,000 to make the Miyazaki Garden in Red Wing Park in Virginia Beach a "Little Japan." Oberndorf and Deputy Mayor Komiya discussed convention and visitor development and agreed that the importance of the sister city relationship is enhanced greatly if cities can share ideas, especially on tourism and convention and visitor development. As partners of municipal leadership, sister cities can discuss environmental issues, global warming and tackle many critical community problems to find solutions. For more information on the Sister Cities International relationship that Virginia Beach enjoys with Miyazaki, Moss and Bangor, e-mail rhsmith@VBgov.com or call (757) 427-8343.