World-renowned Flutist Brings Healing Message of Music to MIAC

It's a simple message: Music heals.

Simple, but powerful, and it's the message behind Samite Mulondo's life's work.

Samite, an internationally celebrated flutist, is the founder of Musicians for World Harmony, a nonprofit that works with children and young adults in Africa – often child soldiers, AIDS orphans, and refugees; in short, the kids "who were exposed to the worst tragedies." Aid comes to these communities in the way of food, medicine, and education, but "sometimes, we forget about healing the soul," Samite says, "and I think music has the power to do that." So in African villages, Samite and his nonprofit provide music therapy, and foster young talent when they see it, all to promote peace, healing, and humanity.

Samite knows the healing power of music; himself a refugee, he fled his native Uganda in 1982. Already a phenomenon in East Africa thanks to his prowess on the flute, when he finally settled in the United States in 1987 (he now lives in Ithaca, N.Y.), he brought his love of music with him.

After a weeklong residency in Erie working with local organizations, such as The Barber Center, the Mercy Center for the Arts, and ExpERIEnce Children's Museum, Samite will take the stage Friday, Nov. 14 at the Mercyhurst Institute for Arts and Culture for a one-night-only performance with Grammy-winning jazz and classical guitarist David Cullen. 

The pains of Erie might not go as deep as those who Samite works to heal in Africa, but if music can act as a cathartic tool for those who have seen some of the worst tribulations the world has to offer, imagine what it can do for you. – Sara Toth

7:30 p.m. // Walker Recital Hall, Mercyhurst University, 501 E. 38th St. // 824.3000