The Schiller Institute NYC Chorus’ 9/11 Memorial Concert: Restore the Classical Tradition in America

The Schiller Institute NYC Chorus was back in the historic Little Italy district in the Bronx on September 15, 2024, to present the
9/11 Memorial Concert

Tragedy & Hope- Restoring the Classical Tradition in America. 

The inspiring commemoration of the tragedy of September 11, 2001, Tragedy & Hope, took place at Our Lady of Mt Carmel RC Church, and was addressed by FDNY Chaplain Msgr. Jamie Gigantiello with the FDNY Ceremonial Unit Color Guard. Please take a look at the concert program attached below as you watch this phenomenal event which presented the world dialogue of cultures that formed the American Classical Tradition.

Links: 
https://www.sinycchorus.com/past_events

YouTube

PROGRAM (PDF)

American music itself is very much what people brought to these shores from diverse circumstances around the world. Alongside native melodies, it was all brought together into a new classical school of music by the courageous efforts of Jeanette Thurber who created the National Conservatory of Music of America with the crucial role of Antonín Dvořák as director in the early 1890s and his collaboration with H.T. Burleigh. 

You’ll hear for the first time a new arrangement for America’s anthem, My Country ‘Tis of Thee, by Schiller Institute music historian Fred Haight, originally composed by Dvořák to replace the music for the American anthem from the British anthem, God Save the King.

You’ll also see the theme for another anthem, Battle Hymn of the Republic, which made its way from an early 19th century Slavonic church composition of the 26th Psalm by Ukrainian-Russian composer Dmitry Bortniansky, to the tune of abolitionist camp song, John Brown’s Body, and finally to the words of Julia Ward Howe during the Civil War.

The program includes the works of Brahms, Dvořák, H.T. Burleigh, Hall Johnson, Verdi & more.

Special guest artists: 

The NEO String Quartet, led by Jungwon Yoon
Elvira Green, soprano
Everett Suttle, tenor
Linda Childs, contralto
Michelle Erin, soprano
Dura Jun, pianist

Program

Greetings Jennifer Pearl, Chair, Schiller Institute NYC Chorus 

Opening narrative Dennis Speed, International Schiller Institute
FDNY Ceremonial Unit Color Guard Invocation and remarks:  
FDNY Chaplain Msgr. Gigantiello  
Litanei       Linda Childs, alto; Dura Jun, piano  Franz Schubert (1797-1828) 
Narrative: Elvira Green  
 African-American Spirituals ~  Schiller Institute Chorus, Diane Sare conducting
My Lord What a Mornin’    
Lord, I Don’t Feel No-Ways Tired Everett Suttle, tenor arr. H. T. Burleigh (1866-1949)                                  
African American Spiritual,  arr. Hall Johnson (1888-1970)
Narrative: Elvira Green
Concerto No. 22, The Lord is my Light and my Savior  Dmitry Bortniansky (1751-1825) Schiller Institute Chorus; Megan Dobrodt conducting
Luleborë: Traditional Albanian Folk Song  Michelle Erin, soprano; Dura Jun, piano
Dem dunkeln Schoβ     Simon Gjoni (1925-1991) Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) Schiller Institute Chorus; Megan Dobrodt conducting
Narrative: Elvira Green
Soon Ah Will Be Done    arr. William L. Dawson (1899-1990) Schiller Institute Chorus; Diane Sare conducting
 —-   Intermission  —-
Part 2
Narrative: Dennis Speed String Quartet No. 12, “American”, Op. 96, B. 179: Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904) 1st movement: Allegro ma non troppo; 4th movement: Finale, Vivace ma non troppo NEO String Quartet ~
Traditional American Folk Songs ~
Poor Wayfarin’ Stranger: Traditional  Linda Childs, Alto;  
At the River: Aaron Copland (1900-1990): Old American Songs, Set II, No. 4 Everett Suttle, tenor
Long Time Ago: Aaron Copland: Old American Songs, Set I, No. 3 Everett Suttle, tenor
Narrative:  Elvira
Green Goin’ Home: arranged by William Arms Fisher (1861-1948), from Antonín Dvořák: Symphony No. 9, From the New World, Opus 95, B. 178 – Largo Schiller Institute Chorus; Dura Jun, piano; Megan Dobrodt conducting
Va, Pensiero: from the Opera Nabucco by Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901) Schiller Institute Chorus; Megan Dobrodt conducting
Narrative:  Elvira Green
My Country ‘Tis of Thee: arranged by Schiller Institute music historian Frederick Haight from  Antonín Dvořák: String Quintet, Op. 97, Burghauser 180- Larghetto (A flat minor/B flat Major) NEO String Quartet; Schiller Institute Chorus, Nancy Guice conducting

Foto; SI