Howard Presents: "America Singing:" Grit. Glory

9/11 commemorative concert honors the heroes and those fallen

On the 15th anniversary of the tragic events which occurred on September 11, 2001, the Department of Music at Andrews University will present in the Howard Performing Arts Center “America Singing: Grit. Glory,” on September 11 at 7 p.m. This program is designed to inspire reflection on the terrorist attacks which killed almost 3,000 people and injured over 6,000 others.

“September 11, 2001, means many things to many people. For some, it is a call to war against terrorists,” says Charles Reid, associate professor of voice and voice area coordinator. “For others, it is about the heroism of those who responded, but it is also about the ways in which we rebounded as a nation.”

Planning for this recital began when Kenneth Logan, professor of music and organist at Pioneer Memorial Church on the campus of Andrews University, came back from a personal composition retreat and shared three new songs that he had composed for Reid. He also had a poem in mind that pondered the horrors of war, and the pair eventually arrived on a program commemorating 9/11.

“9/11 happened fifteen years ago, a tragedy that brought the world together, and America responded as a melting pot of culture and people that could not be quelled,” says Reid.

This exploration in concert includes music by American composers Harry Burleigh, Aaron Copland, Ricky Ian Gordon, features a song cycle by Reid’s late father, Robert Reid, and world premieres of several songs by Logan.

“To me, the lesson of 9/11 is the strength of our diversity, which happens to be a hallmark here at Andrews University,” says Reid. “Ken and I have spent considerable time picking music and poetry that highlights some of the diverse American experience.”

Poets for the program include imaginative Texan rancher Robert Lee Brothers, renowned Welsh-born George Herbert, perceptive African-American New Yorker Langston Hughes, wartime Englishman Siegfried Sassoon, and more.

Reid sings with leading orchestras and opera houses around the world; Logan plays frequently in “New Perceptions” internationally and on WHME TV 46. They are joined for this performance by violist Rachel Goff of Chicago.

“It is far from comprehensive,” says Reid.  “But we’ve formed an American Art-Song melting-pot exploring joy and hardship, love and loss, faith and doubt, black and white, city and rural, dreams and hope, old and new.”

General admission is $15 (Andrews students, faculty and staff: contact box office for discount information). To purchase tickets, go to howard.andrews.edu or call the box office at 888-467-6442.

Related Links

• Andrews University Department of Music
• Howard Performing Arts Center
• What is 9/11?
• Ground Zero: Remembering 9/11 in the heart of NYC