About the Leaders

Robert Gass, EdD and
Judith Ansara Gass, MSW are internationally known teachers, synthesizing rich backgrounds in spirituality, psychology, social action and the arts. They have brought their teachings of passionate aliveness and service for over 30 years to centers such as Omega and to organizations ranging from General Motors to Greenpeace. A pioneer in bringing sacred chant to the West, Robert has released seventeen CDs with his celebrated recording group, On Wings of Song, including the best-sellers Om Namaha Shivaya, Alleluia, and Ancient Mother. He is author of the book Chanting: Discovering Spirit in Sound. In addition, Judith teaches yoga, meditation and sacred movement.

Sponsored by the Institute of Noetic Sciences

Trip Date
May 30-June 13, 2006

Optional extension:
June 13-15, 2006

Trip Cost

$4,890 without international air (air cost about $800 or less)

Optional extension add $575 (see itinerary)

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World Sacred Music Festival, Fez

Travel to the historic city of Fez, Morocco, to the 12th annual Fez Festival of World Sacred Music. This festival was begun in the aftermath of the first Gulf War, as a way to bring about dialogue between the world’s faiths, and to showcase the beautiful, healing music associated with each of them.

This multifaceted gathering draws together scores of the best interfaith sacred music performers from around the world, joining together in unity and hope to express in music the universal call of the human heart for communion with the Divine. Visits to significant surrounding historical sites will offer a perspective on Fez, this city of tolerance, and its surrounding areas...where Muslims, Jews and Christians have lived peacefully side by side for centuries.

On this journey we travel from Casablanca to Fez where we base for ten days at a Riad (a traditional home comfortably converted to a hotel) in the medina ( the old city). To be in the medina of Fez is a wonder unto itself. Stroll these narrow winding alleyways and streets, each yielding its own secret, past crammed bazaars where guild workers make and sell their wares as they have for generations. Explore or sit and relax with a mint tea and drink in the smells and sounds of the oldest inhabited medieval city in the world, deemed a World Heritage Site.

The 2006 festival schedule, to be announced in early 2006, promises to be as exciting as was the 2005 roster, which included afternoon and evening performances from the world’s greatest artists of sacred music including the Mevlavi Sufi Whirling Dervish dancers from Turkey; a Berber women’s vocal group from the mountains of Morocco; the ARC Gospel Choir of Harlem; sacred songs of both the Andalusian,-Jewish and Palestinian traditions; Miriam Makeba singing traditional healing chants and songs from South Africa; a Portuguese Fado singer; mystic songs and poems from Iraq; sacred flamenco from Spain; Quawwali chants of Pakistan; and the Dancing Monks of Tibet. There is an interfaith conference running simultaneously. We will update participants on their options as schedules are released and adapt our itinerary accordingly.

Robert and Judith will lead group yoga, chanting, singing and meditation, and help us become a warm and friendly band of journeyers. Meals, music and dancing in private homes are planned, along with the opportunity to interact with local musicians, performers, spiritual teachers and local people. There are numerous free concerts in addition to the official program and last year there were events with various Sufi brotherhoods after the evening concerts. At the end we have two nights in Marrakech and an optional three day extension to the beautiful seaside town of Essaouira.
This will be a journey of pilgrimage and musical celebration...a journey to fills one’s soul with joy and hope.