A peacemaker festival incorporating a concert of suitable music could be set up independently, or it could work with an organisation like Musicians for Peace and Disarmament (MPD).
MPD was founded in 1983, the year in which cruise missiles came to Britain. It was the year in which the USA’s President Ronald Reagan declared that a nuclear conflict in Europe was not only thinkable, but winnable.
Originally known as MANA, (Musicians Against Nuclear Arms), MPD was the brainchild
of a group of musicians and music lovers who had the idea of staging concerts by professional musicians to raise funds for the peace movement. The
organisation’s new name, MPD, was adopted a few years back to reflect today's
wider but still urgently relevant concerns for world peace.
Over the years many leading conductors, soloists, orchestral players and chamber musicians have taken part in MPD’s regular concerts, and continue to do so, with everyone giving their services for free. At most of their concerts a speaker is invited to give a short address.
As well as their musical activities MPD produce a quarterly newsletter. MPD's president is the distinguished guitarist John Williams and its patrons are all prominent and influential figures drawn from many different areas of the musical profession, including Michael Berkeley, Dame Emma Kirkby and Sir Simon Rattle.
MPD is
affiliated to CND and Network for Peace and membership is open to anyone with
an interest in music and a desire to further the cause of peace.
The proceeds of MPD’s concerts have enabled the organisation
to donate over £70,000 to the peace movement since 1983. MPD is affiliated to
Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) and The Network for Peace.
MPD supports organisations in the UK and worldwide who are actively working towards the cause of peace, non-violence and disarmament. Organisations/projects will be periodically shortlisted. To be considered for funding, please write detailing your proposal. Applications should be sent by email to info.mpdconcerts@gmail.com or by post to: c/o The Chair, 37 Bolton Gardens, Teddington, TW11 9AX
MPD’s website is at https://mpdconcerts.org/
Pictured are images for some of MPD’s concerts.
If you are interested in the history of early America, and Roger Conant as a peacemaker in troubled times you can join the Devon Peacemaker Festival Facebook group at
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