CSU Wind Symphony to Honor 9/11 Heroes

“Time is passing. Yet, for the United States of America, there will be no forgetting September the 11th. We will remember every rescuer who died in honor. We will remember every family that lives in grief. We will remember the fire and ash, the last phone calls, the funerals of the children.” – President George W. Bush

9-11 Wind Symphony PosterGrief, pain, and sadness. Everyone who is old enough to remember the attacks on September 11, 2001 can remember where they were that day. I was very young at the time, but I remember watching my parents faces as they looked at the television set, confused and heartbroken. I cannot imagine what it would have been like to live in New York, Pennsylvania, or Washington D.C. as chaos ensued, smoke filled the air, and hospital nurses scrambled to prepare emergency beds that were never filled.

For CSU Wind Symphony Director Dr. Rebecca Philips, this tragedy struck home. With many of her family members in the military, and her own personal military bands background, the attacks on September 11 were very difficult to witness. A high school teacher at the time, she remembers clearly the reaction her students had as they watched the news coverage together: silence.

Since then, we have grown stronger as a country, uniting against the dark evil that is terrorism. Marking the 15th anniversary this year, Phillips calls it “A moment in history we need not ever forget.” That is why the Wind Symphony will be dedicating their first performance of the Fall 2016 semester to those involved in the September 11 tragedy. On that day, there were hundreds of emergency responders – firefighters, police officers, paramedics – that were called to the scene, and helped tirelessly. As a result of the attacks, our military stepped up in full force, and men and women put their lives on the line in combat to protect the freedom we value so dearly.

The music the Wind Symphony will be playing, which includes Hymn for the Lost and the Living by Eric Ewazen and In Wartime by David Del Tredici, depicts the solemn aftermath and the days leading up to the ensuing war. The focus of the performance will not be the tragedy, but instead, will be a reflection on the men and women who helped in the days and months following. “We are looking at a major event in American History, and the heroic patriotic efforts from first responders and our military to help our nation heal,” said Phillips.

The performance demonstrates excellence on many levels as the program features two works by Pulitzer Prize winning composers. The students have also been working incredibly hard to make sure the music is at its absolute best. Senior Music Education Major and Principle Alto Sax Player Junior Molina said, “It means a lot to express America’s mourning, and to be able to share a deep tribute, expressed through music.”

Jazz is an American-born genre that has brought happiness during so many national crises of the 20th and 21st centuries. CSU Saxophone Faculty Peter Sommer joins the Wind Symphony during a performance of the consortium premier of William Bolcom’s jazzy Concerto for Soprano Saxophone.

Ticket Information
For the Oct. 13 performance, the School of Music, Theatre and Dance is offering half price tickets to all active and veteran military, police, fire, EMS, and medical servants in the community. For additional information, please contact Brandon Adams at (970) 491-5891. The concert will take place in the Griffin Concert Hall at the University Center for the Arts at 7:30 p.m.

Continuing this fall, tickets are *no charge for CSU students, $1 for youth (under 18), and $12 for the public. Tickets are available at the University Center for the Arts (UCA) ticket office in the UCA lobby Monday through Friday, 3:30-5:30 p.m. and 60 minutes prior to performances, by phone at (970) 491-ARTS (2787), or online at www.CSUArtsTickets.com. Youth tickets must be purchased in person at the Ticket Office. All tickets are subject to a $1 ticket fee for both online and at-the-door purchases. Advance ticket purchase is highly recommended to avoid lines and further at-the-door fees.