Woodstock Chimes’ Giveback Program Aims to Protect Tibetan Culture
In the wake of the political turmoil taking place in Tibet, Woodstock Chimes aims to protect the Tibetan culture through a special giveback program created by the company. The company, a worldwide leader and manufacturer of precision-tuned windchimes and premium musical gifts, contributes a portion of the proceeds from its Tibetan Prayer Chimes to a New York non-profit known as the Tibet House.
“The Tibet House is a non-political organization which promotes the beautiful culture of Tibet, in an effort to ensure that it is not lost,” says Garry Kvistad, founder of Woodstock Chimes. “The organization was created by close friends of mine, Robert and Nena Thurman, who are probably best known for being the parents of the famous actress Uma Thurman.”
The Tibetan Prayer Chime is tuned to the five tones that make up the principal motif of a work by the great Japanese composer, Toru Takemitsu. The piece, titled “From Me Flows What You Call Time,” features two large custom sets of Woodstock Chimes, suspended above the audience and activated by colored ribbons – representing Tibetan prayer flags – that extend from the chimes to the performers on stage. In Tibet, prayer flags are hung in great numbers outside homes and temples and throughout the countryside, so that the wind may bring good fortune to all nearby. Likewise, the Woodstock Tibetan Prayer Chime conveys the prayers and blessings of the listener, every time the wind blows.
“As we listen to the harmonious Woodstock Chimes, we think of audio prayer flags, tinkling joyfully for Tibet, and we are so grateful for the generous gifts they bring to Tibet House for our work of preserving Tibetan culture,” says Robert A.F. Thurman, President, Tibet House U.S. ‘The chimes bring happiness through the ear, which fits with the mandala of Tibet, the sacred environment wherein happiness is possible, achievable, and useful for others as well.”
“Whenever we create a windchime with cultural influence, such as the Tibetan Prayer Chime, we make a special effort to create a giveback program with a charity that embodies the spirit and the beauty of the chime,” says Kvistad.
About Woodstock Chimes:
Founded by music pioneers Garry and Diane Kvistad approximately 30 years ago, Woodstock Chimes is a leading manufacturer of precision-tuned windchimes. Today, the company markets more than 100 different products in its Encore
