Musicians without Borders

Musicians without Borders was created in 1999 by Laura Hassler, as a response to the war in Kosovo, with the belief that music can help bring communities together and can be used as an instrument to help heal the wounds of war and conflict. The organization now has projects in Kosovo, Palestine, Uganda, Rwanda, and Northern Ireland. The organization receives no subsidy and is dependent on funding by foundations and private donors. Musicians without Borders is an ANBI (public benefit organization), which means that natural and legal persons making donations to ANBI may deduct their gifts from their Dutch income tax or corporate income tax.

Creation

The foundation for Musicians without Borders was laid by Laura Hassler, a musician of American descent and with a family background active in nonviolent action. As a musician living in the Netherlands, Laura was a known musician in the town of Alkmaar, where she organized various concerts. On May 4, 1999, the remembrance day for victims of the second World War in the Netherlands, Laura organized a memorial concert of songs by various ethnic groups from the Balkans sung by mixed choirs. The response from the audience, which was so moved by the concert, prompted the idea of starting Musicians without Borders, an organization that connects people of various backgrounds through music, regardless of one’s background.

The organization first began organizing exchanges between groups of musicians based in the Netherlands, and later, sending groups to the Balkans to perform music and lead workshops for children. Eventually, the organization moved its focus towards training local people to lead music workshops, gradually expanding to new regions.

Programs

Mitrovica Rock School

In post-war Kosovo Musicians without Borders created a platform where aspiring young rock stars meet across divides at the Mitrovica Rock School. The Mitrovica Rock School aims to restore the city’s shared rock music tradition and to stimulate a culture of respect among youth through music. The Rock School became an independent organization with its own management in 2013.

Palestine Community Music

Musicians without Borders offers uplifting, music-based activities to young people in Palestine who lack other social or cultural opportunities. Their project reaches thousands of the most marginalized children of the West Bank. Their programs include Music and Nonviolence Leadership training, Rap for Social Change, music workshops for the deaf and children with special needs and the Musical Playground. With the Musical Playground, Musicians without Borders organizes musical workshops, including dancing, singing, rapping and body percussion, empowering and engaging children, school staff and families in a festive celebration. They closely work together with the organization Sounds of Palestine.

Rwanda Youth Music

In the aftermath of the 100-day genocide of 1994, thousands of children were born with HIV. Musicians without Borders is active in Rwanda where they recruit local artists to teach singing and songwriting, making use of Rwandan cultural traditions to address the trauma of the genocide and conflict. The organization works closely with the medical organization WE-ACTx For Hope.

Music Bridge - Northern Ireland

The Music Bridge training program is run in cooperation with Culturlann Ui Chanain in Derry-Londonderry, providing music workshop leadership training for community workers and musicians interested in developing meaningful projects in their communities with a focus on children and youth from fragile environments. With the acquired musical skills these trainees are expected to organize and implement community music activities with children, aimed at strengthening children’s self-identity, building community, and contributing to the development of their creative potential. Ultimately, the project aims to establish successful working models of community music programs that can gradually be implemented throughout Northern Ireland.

Welcome Notes - The Netherlands

As refugees arrive in increasing numbers in the Netherlands, Musicians without Borders is building a program of support and solidarity. Our trainers and workshop leaders use the power of music to engage people living in emergency reception centers, building trust and connection among refugees, as well as with the local communities in which they are now located. The project in the Netherlands is a first step in a wider program to create connections between local musicians and refugees throughout Europe.