The international band Gen Verde has returned to Italy after two months of touring in 10 American cities: New York, Philadelphia (PA), Atlanta (GA), Corpus Christi and Houston (TX), Chicago, Los Angeles, Planada, San Francisco and San Jose (CA). More than 15,000 miles traveled to present nine concerts, 16 sung masses, 5 performing arts workshops with youth and adults, three choral workshops, plus numerous performances and meetings on the local level.
First stops on the East Coast The invitations on the East Coast came from the Vincentian Family and were centered on events with young people, beginning at St. John’s University in Queens, New York, where they performed “Gen Verde in Concert” and then at a Vincentian parish in Brooklyn. While in Philadelphia, they sang for the Mass of the Feast of St. Vincent de Paul at the Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal.
The South In Atlanta, Georgia, they received a warm welcome from the Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, where they held performing arts workshops with students. The concluding performance was in front of over 500 students and friends. Of course, they couldn't go to Atlanta without visiting The King Center. “The testimony of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., his courage and dedication to justice and equality, was truly powerful and will certainly spur us on as we strive to fulfill Jesus' prayer: 'May they all be one.’ Today, there is still a long way to go, but it is true that we also have great examples to follow,” said Gen Verde Manager Sally McAllister.
In the great state of Texas In Corpus Christi, a city in SouthTexas, they held the Start Now Workshop Project with students from various schools of the Diocese of Corpus Christi. "I suffer from anxiety. It was tough for me to be at the workshop. I didn’t want to come, but my dad told me to try. So, I did it for him. On the third day of the workshop, I realized that I no longer felt anxious. My anxiety has disappeared,” said one of the participants who, with the other youth, performed with Gen Verde in front of more than 600 people. After a week in Corpus Christi, the band traveled to Houston to present "Gen Verde in Concert" and "Gen Verde Acoustic" on different nights.
With the Vincentians The 2023 North American Vincentian Family Gathering was the pinnacle event of their tour of the United States. Held at DePaul University in Chicago, it brought together representatives from 47 branches of the Vincentian Family. Gen Verde was entrusted with the 3-day program on the theme “Harmony in diversity: working for social justice and fostering a culture of encounter through the arts.” It was held with plenary sessions, keynote speeches, small groups and seminars, performing arts workshops, and a big concluding concert. "I was reflecting, and it occurred to me that Gen Verde does not come to perform. They come to make friends and build relationships. They do this by sharing their amazing music, being present, and conversing with everyone they meet. They have definitely raised the standards for artists! What a wonderful ministry!" said a young nun who participated in the workshops and conferences.
On the West Coast The final events of Gen Verde’s U.S. tour were in four California cities – a meeting with students at Mount St. Mary's University, acoustic concerts in Los Angeles and the Bay Area, and a performing arts workshop with 100 young people in Planada, a small rural town in the center of the state. The American pianist and composer of Gen Verde, Nancy Uelmen, says, “It is difficult to find the words to describe this tour. While preparing it, we had to face many challenges and difficulties, but it all brought so many fruits, discoveries, and gifts beyond all expectations! One of the most powerful signs that the tour went well is the number of invitations we received to come back... and although we are happy to return to Italy, we can say that we can't wait to go back to the U.S.!”