Musicians Perform in Global 9/11 Remembrance

The School of Music joined thousands of groups around the world in performing Mozart's Requiem on the first anniversary of the September 11 attacks. (See also Remembrances in "Chronicle.") The concept, christened "Rolling Requiem" by organizers, originated in Seattle and grew to include a performance in every time zone beginning at 8:46 a.m. local time, the time of the first attack in New York City one year before. The final tally included 200 events in 26 countries, involving more than 17,000 singers and almost 5,000 instrumental musicians. While many of the events were full-scale performances of the Requiem, some participants unable to prepare the entire work performed parts of it, or simply listened to it. For example, the South Pole station participated by listening to the Requiem, downloaded in MP3 format.

Professor Lawrence Doebler conducted the symphony orchestra and the combined forces of the Ithaca College Choir, Chorus, and Women's Chorale. Conductors Janet Galván and Jeffrey Grogan assisted in preparing the performers, who put the work together in a week --- approximately a quarter of the time normally allotted for such a masterpiece. Faculty, staff, and local community members joined the students in the chorus and orchestra, and a special small group composed of faculty and selected students sang the sections normally sung by soloists. Ford Hall's stage was extended to accommodate the more than 300 performers who took part. Ithaca College television and radio stations broadcast the event live, and speakers were set up outdoors on the Whalen Center balcony, sending the sounds from Ford Hall wafting across the campus.

Before the performance, music dean Arthur E. Ostrander welcomed the audience that filled Ford Hall and overflowed into the Hockett Family Recital Hall, where the live television broadcast could be viewed. "Music plays a very special role in public observances, helping people place perspective on events and aiding in the healing process," Ostrander said. "It allows us to counter death and destruction with beauty and joy."

President Peggy R. Williams then read the names of the Ithaca community members who lost their lives. "We share the responsibilities of citizenship and service both here and in the global community," she said. "I challenge each of us to dig deep into our hearts and souls to turn the events of September 11, 2001 --- and world events since then --- into the most important lessons of our lifetimes. I challenge each of us to work to build a world of hope, possibility, and mutual understanding."

Following a time of silence, chimes were rung; random notes started slowly, built in intensity to a climax, and faded away. Then, for the next hour, Mozart's last work filled the hall with a noble and profound memorial.

The performance received an overwhelming response from those present as well as those in the radio and television audiences. "Everyone indicated how moved they were," Ostrander said. "Those in Ford Hall reported that they experienced feelings of peace, comfort, and strength from other attendees and from the musicians. It was a privilege for the School of Music to reach out to the College community and to the larger population."

In the evening another large, respectful crowd gathered around the Muller chapel pond to participate in a ceremony dedicating a "peace pole." The Ithaca College Trombone Troupe performed a work they commissioned last year from composer Paul Goldstaub '69. Entitled "Remembrance and Reflection," the music began with notes 9, then 11 steps apart, making the date 9/11 an integral part of the structure and sound of the work. Protestant chaplain Allison Stokes found the work profoundly moving, observing that the music's message of remembrance and reflection spoke meaningfully and appropriately for the evening's anniversary.

Photos: top, Andrejs Ozolins; bottom, George Sapio