The Score | Remembering 9/11

Orchestras around the country marked the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks with concerts and other tributes. On September 11, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, in collaboration with the Western New York Families of September 11 and the American Red Cross, Western New York Chapter, presented “American Resilience: 20th Anniversary Commemoration to 9/11 Heroes,” conducted by John Morris Russell. The concert at at Kleinhans Music Hall included George Walker’s Lyric for Strings, Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man, and the Largo from Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9. Charleston, South Carolina’s Colour of Music Festival—which brings together classically trained musicians, composers, and performers of African descent together to showcase Black classical artistry—performed a free concert marking the 20th anniversary of September 11, conducted by Julius P. Williams. The Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s concert at Meyerson Symphony Center featured music by American composers including Samuel Barber, Aaron Copland, Augustus Hailstork, Charles Ives, and John Williams, and ticket proceeds from the concert benefited Carry The Load, a Dallas-based organization honoring members of the military, veterans, first responders and their families. Music Director James Blachly led Pennsylvania’s Johnstown Symphony Orchestra in an hour-long outdoor concert on September 11 at the Flight 93 National Memorial; on September 10, an ensemble from the Johnstown Symphony provided music as part of a luminaria ceremony at the national park. On September 11 at California’s Del Mar Surf Cup Sports Park, David Chan led saxophonist Branford Marsalis, soprano Gabriella Reyes, and the Mainly Mozart All-Star Orchestra, which comprises principal players from multiple U.S. orchestras, in a concert benefitting the National Conflict Resolution Center. Music Director Gianandrea Noseda led the National Symphony Orchestra’s free concert at the Kennedy Center on September 10, which featured the commissioned world premiere of James Lee III’s An Engraved American Mourning. included the “The President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band and mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard. On September 11 at the Sandy Promenade in San­dy, Utah, Connor Gray Covington led the Utah Symphony’s concert at the annual Utah Healing Field’s 9/11 ceremony presented by the Colonial Flag Foundation.