"Don't Stigmatize HIV/AIDS" is Message of May 10, 12 Events
In South Africa; U.S.'s Tim Janis Joins South African Musicians

Concert, Ecumenical Service Support Church World Service, South African Council of Churches’ HIV/AIDS Awareness and Care Projects

May 7, 2002 -- "Don’t stigmatize people with HIV/AIDS" is the message of two events - a benefit concert and an ecumenical worship service -- with U.S. composer and instrumentalist Tim Janis (pictured) and South African musicians, set for May 10 and 12 in Durban and Soweto, 2002,  in South Africa.

Janis’s "Music of Hope" CD topped Billboard’s "Top Classical Albums" last year. His "music with a mission" is used by the Mayo Clinic in Arizona and others in the medical community to help people through chemotherapy and other such treatments. Janis travels to South Africa for the U.S.-based global development, relief and refugee assistance organization Church World Service (CWS). The two performances grow out of his planned recording sessions with South African artists for a new CD, to benefit HIV/AIDS projects in Africa.

6:30 p.m. Friday, May 10 - "Symphony of Hope," City Hall, Durban:

Tim Janis and his instrumental ensemble will perform at this gala dinner concert, along with the Choir from the Sinikithemba HIV/AIDS Christian Care Center in Durban; KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra; soloists Stacey Almond, Pinkie Mtshali and Derick Ellis; The Singers Company; Nateshwar Dance Company; Ukusina Dance Troupe, and others. The concert is a benefit for the Sinikithemba HIV/AIDS Christian Care Center.

3:00 p.m. Sunday, May 12 - "National Church Call to Condemn the Stigmatization of HIV/AIDS Infected and Affected," Regina Mundi Catholic Church, Soweto:

Tim Janis and his ensemble will join the Imilonji KaNtu Choir - the Soweto community choir that sang at Nelson Mandela’s inauguration as President - for this service of music, prayer and commitment. Organizing the event is the South African Council of Churches (SACC), recognized worldwide for its involvement in the struggle against apartheid.

CWS, the National Council of Churches and their 36 Protestant, Orthodox and Anglican member denominations supported that struggle and now today’s new struggles, including the effort to destigmatize AIDS and extend compassion, treatment and services to HIV/AIDS infected and affected. Regina Mundi Church is where many anti-apartheid rallies and services were held.

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