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Marco Antonio Granjeiro
Lima (photo), who
lives in the capital of
Paraíba state, João
Pessoa, has been a
Spiritist since 1984.
The vice-president of
the states Spiritist
Federation is the
founder of Grupo Acorde,
which has released
several CDs and one DVD.
He lectures Arts at the
Federal University in
Paraíba and is
specialised in teaching
music to |
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children with visual
impairment. His
interviews provides
plenty of material to
reflect on the use of
the arts as a tool to
disseminate Spiritism:
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What is Grupo Acorde?
It is a musical band
with professional
Spiritist musicians who
live in João Pessoa and
gathered to share their
Christian beliefs
through the music. They
take their message to
many cities and towns,
beyond the state borders
of Paraíba.
How was it formed and
when?
It was founded with the
purpose of singing the
message of Christ, in a
liberating way, helping
people understand the
real meaning of the
Gospel. A group of young
people came up with the
idea in 1987. A few
years later, in July
1994, it became
officially Grupo
Acorde.
What was the inspiration
for the name of the
group and the songs?
The name Acorde was
first suggested when we
were in the final phase
of recording our first
CD in the studio, a CD
called Laços de Família,
or Family Links. We had
no name, as our aim was
only to record a few
songs. But people kept
asking for a name. We
prayed together and the
name Acorde emerged. In
Portuguese, it has a
double meaning. It means
a musical accord, but
also “Wake up!”. It is
the spiritual and
musical awakening.
Who is in the group?
We have 13 members, who
sing and play the
guitar, drums, trombone,
trumpet, piano,
electronic keyboard and
percussion. Grupo Acorde
has made partnerships
with some well-known
musicians in Brazil,
such as Nando Cordel,
and has already launched
seven CDs and one DVD.
What genre of music does
the group prefer?
Mostly traditional
Brazilian music. Our
songs are usually simple
and try to touch deep in
the soul of those who
listen.
Have you performed live
many times?
Yes, many times, but
mostly in Brazil’s
northeastern region.
How much do you think
music help people in
their drive to moral
development? Does it
help to clear the
atmosphere?
Musical harmony produces
powerful vibration
elements, which have a
positive impact on the
ambience and facilitate
an effective link with
the Spiritual World.
Poetic lyrics, with a
reflective character,
also help us wake up to
what we really are, help
us reassess our values
and priorities, opening
the path to self
enlightenment. Hence the
name Acorde.
What has been the impact
of the group over the
years?
Grupo Acorde took an
important step by using
music as a tool to
disseminate Spiritist
ideas. By performing in
live gigs in public
spaces, the group has
encouraged the creation
of new bands. It has
also given the rights of
many of its songs to
other bands in many
parts of the country so
they could cover them.
We have given our
contribution to shape
Spiritist art, a genre
that goes beyond many
established limits in a
process of evolution
that could be compared
to that of the birth of
a butterfly.
Note:
For contacts with Grupo
Acorde, email
marco.alim@hotmail.com
or phone + 55 83
87829584 (Beto Melo), +
55 83 88249369 (Marco
Lima) or + 55 83
88672334 (Luciana). The
official website is
www.grupoacorde.com.
