Pihcintu Multicultural Chorus performs during a fundraiser for Ukrainian relief last year in the Augusta Armory. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal
The Portland-based Pihcintu Multicultural Chorus has been named a bronze award winner in the Education, Art & Culture category of the second annual Anthem Awards, an extension of the prestigious Webby Awards that are presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences.
Musician and producer Con Fullam founded Pihcintu in 2003 as an after-school program providing music and performing arts education to immigrant and refugee girls who have relocated to Maine. The goal was simple: to give these new Mainers their voices back, to stimulate dialogue about immigrant/refugee and multicultural issues through story and song.
Over the last two decades, the chorus has grown and now performs 30 or more concerts across the country each year.
“We are shocked and elated to have been chosen amongst all of these incredible organizations that are doing so much for so many,” said Fullam, who lives in Windham.
Since its creation, Fullam said, more than 350 girls have participated. Of those, 100 percent have graduated from high school and 85 percent have gone on to college. The chorus has collaborated with many prominent artists over the years, including cellist YoYo Ma and Kanin Azmeh, a Syrian clarinet player who has played with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, among others. They have sung at the United Nations and the Kennedy Center.
Pihcintu – pronounced “pea-sin-two”– is a Passamaquoddy word meaning “when she sings, her voice carries far.”
The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences created the Webby Awards in 1996 to recognize the best content on the internet. Today, it’s considered one of the highest honors.
Two years ago, the academy launched the Anthem Awards to draw attention to organizations and individuals that help spark global change. Gold, silver and bronze awards are given in eight different categories.
This year, more than 2,000 entries were submitted from 43 countries.
Winners in the Anthem Awards special achievement category were poet Amanda Gorman, former Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, actor Billy Porter, and Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, the founders of Ben & Jerry’s, among others.
Some of the other award categories include Human & Civil Rights, Responsible Technology and Sustainability, and Environment & Climate.
Fullam will accept the award for Pihcintu at a celebration Monday in New York City.
Find more information about the winners and their projects at anthemawards.com.
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