The Foundation runs projects «Music and Art for Integration» in London, in StDenis|France, in Berlin Moabit - at a Rehabilitation Centre in Kent, England, and in Tbilissi, Georgia, as well as in Centres for Handicapped Children in Armenia.
Presently, it conducts a Drama Workshop in Ramallah, Palestine and a project for traditional music and dances in Buchur, Kyrgyzstan.
In Switzerland, the Foundation offers scholarships to talented students, runs Music and Drama Camps in Summer, and may offer more opportunities to marginalized youth for integration through the Arts.
Past projects: Music with blind children, in India; a puppet workshop during Summer in Gaza City; dance and drumming lessons at a Centre for disoriented youth, in Tel Aviv; a Musical with adolescents with hearing impairment from Montenegro; various Summer activities.
Concert at Bioley-Magnoux
- StEtienne Church, Bioley-Magnoux
- Youth orchestra with Ruth Bonuccelli
- The Jonas choir, Geneva (Reto Reichenbach at the organ)
- The Jonas choir, Geneva with Gaëtan Da Cruz
2nd December 2012 at St. Etienne, Bioley-Magnoux, with the Jonas choir Geneva, the youth orchestra, Ruth Bonuccelli, Reto Reichenbach, Gaëtan Da Cruz and Christine Sigwart.
Photos: Christine Armitage
Concert at Hotel Waldhaus, Sils-Maria
Impressions of a concert in the garden at Hotel Waldhaus, Sils-Maria, Switzerland, July 11th 2012
- Hotel Director Felix Dietrich with Christine Sigwart and the choir
- Ruth Bonuccelli is conducting the orchestra
Concert in Tbilisi State Conservatoire, May 2012
On 9th of May 2012 a concert of classical music took place in Tbilisi State Conservatoire Recital Hall. Swiss Ambassador, Diplomats and Bankers were invited as guests to listen to the most gifted children on the musical seminary and Conservatoire.
Jonas Foundation pupil Rati Skhirtladze also played on the concert as one of the most succesfull pupil of the school.
He performed Berkovich Variations on the Theme of Paganini.
Poesy evening at Georgian National Library, May 2012
On 3rd of May 2012, at Georgian National Library was a poesy evening where children from Jonas Foundation took part.
Mari and Tamuna Intskirveli as well as Vasiko and Rati Skhirtladze played classical piano pieces.
Mari played Mozart - Fantasy d-moll
Tamuna played Brahms - Valse
Vasiko played Mozart - Sonata
Rati played Berkovich - Variations on the theme of Paganini
Vasiko and Rati also played piano duet Sapojnikov - «Traveling in the sky».
Singworkshop in Scotland
The group - the Jonas Singers - enjoyed a fabulous week at Ardoch Centre, Gartocharn, making new friends, singing and hiking.
Theme for the week: "He maketh peace in thy borders..." Psalm 147.14
April 10th-15th 2012, Ardoch, Gartocharn, Scotland
Commentaries in the «Dumpling Times», June|July 2012 The Kilmaronock Newsletter Vol16 No 1
The Jonas Singers perform at Ardoch
The Jonas Singers, a group of young people from London, spent five days at Ardoch, Gartocharn.
...The group enjoyed discovering the shores of Loch Lomond, the Dumpling and the village of Gartocharn during the short breaks they took from their rigorous schedule of singing and playing music.
The highlight of their visit was a concert at Ardoch on Saturday 14 April for an audience of 30 people.
... The musical programme at Ardoch was very varied and much appreciated. It included South African, Russian and Italian songs, «I have a dream» by ABBA, Haydn played by the recorder group, another classical piece played by two violonists and a beautifully arranged «Auld Lang Syne», that the choir has rehearsed as a special finale in honour of their time spent in Scotland.
The Jonas Singers were keen to offer all donations given at the concert to the Millenium Hall Fund and they were delighted to raise the sum of £ 124.20.
- On Mount Dumpling, Loch Lomond
Georgia: Special Distinction for Rati
Rati (9 years) has received a special Distinction by the Conservatoire of Music, Tbilisi, on the occasion of the Piano Competition held in January 2012.
Rati is studying Music on a Jonas Foundation scholarship since January 2011. (Teacher: Dachi Taktakishvili).
We congratulate him very warmly!
Sensations of Sound, December 2011
In partnership with Action Dog and the National Deaf
Children's Society (NDCS). December 2011
Congratulations!
Océane studied Descant and Trebble Recorder on a Scholarship from the Jonas Foundation (2005-2011)
She has been admitted to further Music Studies at Collège Claparède, Geneva («Section Musique») where she has obtained a further Scholarship from the Department of Education, Geneva.
We congratulate Océane very warmly!
October 2011
Ravi Shankar and Shukanya
Ravi Shankar and Shukanya, at their London flat, with Ulrich and Christine. August 2011
Music Workshop in London, August 2011
London, Elephant-and-Castle
Music Workshop from August 3rd-5th 2011
More about >>>
24 July 2011: Masterclass with Kathia Buniatishvili
Masterclass for a group of young pianists coming from Georgia with Kathia Buniatishvili at Verbier!
Four young pianists, Mari, Tamuna, Wasiko and Rati had the privilege to be invited to receive a Masterclass from Kathia Buniatishvili, on Sunday, July 24th.
The children felt immediately at ease with Kathia who managed to approach them with warmth and enthusiasm.
Chopin, Bach and Beethoven have been played in the lovely chalet; Kathia's advice immediately absorbed and followed by the young pianists!
It has been a wonderful experience and encounter for the children and the audience, alike!
A great «thank you» to all organisers and to Kathia Buniatishvili!
Summercamp in Switzerland, July 11th-25th 2011
Participants came from France, Germany, Georgia (Caucasus) and from Switzerland.
An exceptional Summercamp took place in Switzerland from July 11th-25th with 27 youngsters from different backgrounds and origins.
Under the direction of David Bach and Christine Sigwart-Sartorius
- On the Alp!
- Radu and Delia Lupu pay a visit to the Camp!
«Easter Workshop in Geneva», April 2011
«Easter Workshop in Geneva» at St Julien Parish and Champel-Malagnou Parish
April 27 to 30, 2011
Some fifteen children from the Geneva area met again for a Jonas workshop during their Easter holidays under the heading “Open Heart”. >>>
Concert in Tbilisi, March 2011
- Georgian Children with their music teachers and the Swiss Ambassador
On the 16th of March the children from the Jonas Foundation-project in Georgia held a little concert in their orphanage in Tbilisi. They performed Georgian Folksongs, piano pieces and modern dances. Beyond the visitors was even the new Swiss Ambassador in Georgia, H.E.The Ambassador of Switzerland to Georgia, Mr. Guenther Baechler!
Launch of the Jonas Foundation UK, February 2011
On Wednesday 16 February 2011 the Launch of the Jonas Foundation Charity UK took place in London. A reception, graciously hosted by H.E. The Ambassador Mr Anton Thalmann and Mrs Dominique Thalmann, at their Residence, was followed by a beautiful concert at Founders Hall, Hill House School, Chelsea, given by the Swiss musicians Bettina Sartorius (violin) and Reto Reichenbach (piano). After the concert there was a short reception at the school with an informal performance by two groups from the Jonas Foundation Music School, London: the Renaissance Ensemble and the Jonas Singers. The evening concluded with a wonderful meal at a local Italian restaurant!
Click to enlarge:
Kofi Annan is delighted by the singing of the choirs, the Jonas Singers and the Petits Chanteurs de la Cathédrale, at the First Session of the Human Rights' Council, United Nations, Geneva (19th June 2006)
Young singers from countries as varied as Iran, Zimbabwe, Angola, Rwanda, Cameroun, Bulgaria, Germany, United Kingdom, France and Switzerland, have been invited to sing at the first Session of the Human Rights Council. >>>
