Mass Remembers – Voices of Hope Brings Choruses from across the Commonwealth to Join in Song to Mark the Solemn Occasion

Professional, community and children’s choruses from across the Commonwealth will gather together with members of fire, police, military, and members of the community to honor those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, and to pay tribute to the thousands of men and women who continue to serve our country overseas.

The 10th anniversary commemoration will take place on Sun., Sept. 11 at 2pm. at Institute Park, off Salisbury St. in Worcester.

The goal is to raise 1,000 voices in song for the tribute and memorial. Participating choruses include the Assabet Valley Master Singers, Blackstone Valley Community Chorus, Master Singers of Worcester, Nashoba Valley Chorale, Salisbury Singers, Sounds of Stow, Worcester Chorus in addition to choral students from Clark University, College of the Holy Cross, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and the Worcester Public Schools.

Participating church choirs include All Saints Church, Worcester; Epworth Methodist Church, Worcester; Wesley Methodist Church, Worcester; Shrewsbury Congregational Church; First Unitarian Church, Worcester; Unitarian Church, Framingham; and Unitarian Church, Concord.

“Through the solace and transformation of music sung collectively, we will demonstrate the power of community and renew our dedication to a nation that is committed to freedom and justice for all,” said Erin Williams, Executive Director, Worcester Cultural Coalition, and one of the lead organizers for the event.

Other participants include: the Massachusetts State Police, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Department of Veterans’ Services, Massachusetts 9/11 Fund, Massachusetts Military Heroes Fund, National Guard, Worcester Fire Department, Worcester Police Department, Town of Holden Police Department, Massachusetts Veterans Inc., Worcester Interfaith Alliance, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester Cultural Coalition, and Friends of Institute Park.

Several local officials are also expected to be on hand including Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Murray, U.S. Rep. James P. McGovern, Massachusetts State Police Colonel Marian McGovern, State Representative James O’Day, State Representative Kimberly Ferguson, Worcester City Manager Michael O’Brien, Worcester Mayor Joseph C. O’Brien, Holden Town Manager Nancy Galkowski, and Auburn Town Manager Julie Jacobson, as well as elected officials from the Towns of Hopkinton, Randolph and Easthampton. No official speaking program is planned; however, all 221 names of the victims from Massachusetts will be read as part of the ceremony.

The choral program will begin with “How Lovely is Thy Dwelling Place” from Brahms’ “German Requiem,” “In Remembrance” from Eleanor Daley’s “Requiem,” and “Alleluia” by Randall Thompson. Michelle Graveline, music director of the Salisbury Singers, and Malcolm Halliday, artistic director of the Master Singers of Worcester, will conduct.

Then, John Delorey, director of choral music at WPI, will conduct singers in a rendition of “Ubi caritas” by Paul Halley. Students from the Worcester Public Schools will perform “American Tears” by Teresa Jennings, and the event will conclude with all singers and the audience being invited to sing “America the Beautiful.”

Area sanctuaries will be open to the public for reflection following the event: Epworth United Methodist Church, Trinity Lutheran Church, and First Baptist Church.

Additional space is available for interested singers. Singers can e-mail massremembers@googlegroups.com  for more information.