Events to commemorate 9/11 anniversary

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Today is a time to remember the horrific events that occurred September 11, 2001, when terrorists flew two planes into the World Trade Center towers in New York City, one plane into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and a fourth into a Pennsylvania field.

It is the worst terrorist attack ever conducted on U.S. soil and the aftermath touched many Americans in one way or another.

It even affected those outside our country, including Fort Wayne Philharmonic Conductor Andrew Constantine.

“There was a sense of disbelief, like I was watching a movie,” Constantine said during a telephone interview earlier this week.

The British musician, who was living in England at the time of the 9/11 attacks, said that, after it became apparent the attacks were really happening, he immediately began calling friends and acquaintances to see if they were all right. Fortunately, they were, he added.

Today, Constantine will use his musical skills to evoke the pathos of the attacks, as well as feelings of patriotism and many other emotions.

“Music has the power to heighten feelings and emotions like little else, and bring us together in the most tragic of times,” he said earlier about today’s concert, which will begin at 7 p.m. in the Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio.

The concert, called “9/11: A Musical Memorial and Celebration,” will evoke many emotions in those who are fortunate enough to attend. That’s a tribute to the music selected and multimedia presentations crafted specially for the local event.

The music obviously is the thread that runs through the concert, but a number of local residents with ties to the terrorist attacks will tell their stories in a special 8-minute video created for today’s performance.

Today also marks the first time the Fort Wayne Philharmonic has performed in Van Wert and Constantine said he’s looking forward to developing a long-term relationship with the Niswonger and Van Wert community.

“We were pleased when Paul Hoverman contacted us with the idea for this performance,” Constantine said, further noting that it was surprising to him that there hasn’t been more of a relationship between the orchestra and Van Wert, given the proximity of the community to Fort Wayne.

“We’ve performed in a number of small communities in Indiana, but not in Van Wert, although it is not far away,” he said.

Local participation in today’s performance will include solos by Van Wert tenor Jake Wilder, who will first sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” and then “Edelweiss” later in the show. Wilder will also be a part of a 53-member men’s chorus that will sing Randall Thompson’s “Testament to Freedom,” with words written by Thomas Jefferson, and also a salute to the American military services.

Considering the day on which the concert is being held — and the fact it is a special commemoration of the 9/11 attacks — it’s not surprising that there will be somber, and stirring, music chosen to represent what many Americans have felt about that event.

In addition, there will be Broadway tunes and other, lighter music illustrating then-New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s statements to residents of that city following the attacks, in which he urged New Yorkers to move past the tragedy and slowly return their lives to something resembling normalcy.

For those local residents looking for a fitting way to remember the tragic events of a decade ago, and honor the victims, today’s performance should provide a powerful and touching way to do so. Tickets remain for today’s concert, and can be purchased at the NPAC Box Office prior to the concert, which begins at 7 p.m. Ticket prices range from $15-$40.

Another sign of the 9/11 commemoration will be flags placed Saturday in the downtown area, thanks to funding provided by the Young Adult Focus Group recently begun in Van Wert.

“This was the first of many goals we wish to achieve in the coming years,” said Eric Hurless, coordinator of the group. “In the next few weeks, we are adding banners to the same poles showing local landmarks with the ‘Welcome Home’ logo and name of every business that donated.”

Those between the ages of 18 and 40 interested in joining the group can email him at vwvoice@gmail.com.