Spring is just starting to change the landscape in Marietta, GA and everything seems to be in full bloom. This is also the anniversary of my visit to Atlanta. Last year by this time, I was starting my Artist in Residency Program which brought me here for a month and half. After which I returned to Bay Area and then temporarily moved to Marietta and started teaching Tibetan Music at Emory University.

I was just in NY to attend the 53rd March 10th Anniversary, Tibetan National Uprising Day. As I write this, the situation in Tibet especially in the Amdo Ngaba area is becoming extremely tense. There, the 30th monk has self-immolated. In NY, the March 10th protest was very well attended and the energy was powerful. It was also great to see three Tibetans who are hunger striking in front of the UN. More about the situation in Tibet at standupfortibet.org. Please share this website and support this movement.

I was in India from December 2011 to January 2012. I visited my parents in Dharamsala and enjoyed spending time with them. While in Dharamala, I worked on PR for our concerts in Bodhgaya during the Kalachakra teaching by His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. This Kalachakra teaching was one of the largest Buddhists gathering in history. I joined my musician friends Tsering Gyurme, Tenzin Gyalpo and others to show our solidarity to the Tibetan patriots in Tibet. Organizing the event was not so easy but we were proud that we did it. We worked under the name Alliance of Tibetan Musicians and was able to invite Kalon Pema Chojir, Minister of Religion and Culture of the exile government on the first day of our concert. We were honored that he came and supported our work. I made a video report about my trip to India in Tibetan. The report is available at youtu.be/rUyQEGqyDKA.

My friend Michel Tyabji la, manger/percussionest and I are planning a small tour, working title: Peace in Tibet-Freedom Tour 2012-13. We will start with a performance at the annual TibetFest in Connecticut, July 14, 15 and then visit different cities in east coast. We are also excited to possible visit to Finland in the fall. Please check our schedules here.

A Trilogy for Tibet

I am announcing the beginning of a project which will cover three years, 2012 through 2014 in both an acknowledgement and celebration of Tibet's 100 Years of the Declaration of Independence which occurred in 1913.

This project is very special in my heart as I plan to accomplish something which covers a broader knowledge of Tibetan music, both traditional and contemporary, for my audience.

As many of you already know, every "starving artist" seeks funding and being that I have no record company backing me, I look to you, the people who already know of my music to help me through this project.

As in the past, my emphasis has always been to preserve Tibetan music, and this project is no different. My goal is to compile three albums: A Traditional and contemporary instrumental music, and Nangma and Thoeshae, classical songs and reach a broader audience with my music which helps others learn of Tibet's past and will enlighten them on the current situation which exists both inside Tibet and for all Tibetan's worldwide.

I have an important story to tell and it is important that others can learn from it, but without financial assistance, I am afraid many will remain in the dark regarding Tibet's culture and its music. If the saying "with age comes wisdom" then I am beginning to feel that I am at a point in my life that I am no longer just a musician, but also have a responsibility … to share this vision, this important project … with the world.

Click here to join me in helping this vision become a reality.
 

In appreciation of your donation, I would like to acknowledge your gift by thanking you with the following:

$50 donation receive a Khata + one CD
$100 donation receive a Khata + two cds, signed by Techung
$500 and above donation, receive a Khata + all three CDs, signed by Techung.
Bonus, Techung's own CD Yarlung Tibetan Songs of Love and Freedom + pack of Tibetan prayer flags

I am also excited to tell you that I will be starting to teach Tibetan music online via Skype or Google Chrome. If you are interested in learning Dramyen, Long-neck Tibetan lute, Piwang, Tibetan violin or singing or Namthar, Tibetan opera signing, do contact me through my website and I will schedule a class.

Have a wonderful Spring

Techung

Click the image to send a free Ojolie ecard "Roof of the World" with a message of peace, featuring music by Techung