Interfaith Prayer Vigil

8:30 AM

led by Bishop of Washington John Bryson Chane with interfaith leaders

Bishop of Washington John Bryson Chane

Exactly one decade later, the tragedy of September 11, 2001, was commemorated beginning with an Interfaith Vigil at 8:30 am. Participants of diverse faiths prayed together, and tolling of the Bourdon bell—the largest bell in the Cathedral’s central tower—marked the moments when airplanes struck the north and south towers of the World Trade Center, hit the Pentagon, and crashed in Pennsylvania. Participants included Cathedral Dean Samuel T. Lloyd III; Bishop of Washington John Bryson Chane; Rabbi Bruce Lustig, Washington Hebrew Congregation; Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche of Tibet, Buddhist nun and incarnate lama; Dr. D.C. Rao, a representative of the Hindu and Jain faiths on the Board of Directors of the InterFaith Conference; Imam Mohamed Magid, president of the Islamic Society of North America; and musician Humayun Khan.

View the full program for this service by downloading this PDF.

A Concert to Honor

7:30 PM

featuring the Marine Chamber Orchestra, directed by Colonel Michael J. Colburn, with the United States Navy Band Sea Chanters and the Washington National Cathedral Choir

Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta spoke during “A Concert to Honor.” The Brahms Requiem was performed by the Marine Chamber Orchestra and United States Navy Band Sea Chanters, along with the Cathedral Choir, soprano Christine Brandes, and baritone Eric Owens, under the direction of Col. Michael J. Colburn. As part of the program, family members of 9/11 victims, members of the armed forces, and other representatives participated in a ceremony to honor the memory of the fallen.

Christine Brandes

Highlights of soprano Christine Brandes’ 2011-12 season calendar include a return to the Washington National Opera as Despina in Così fan tutte conducted by Philippe Auguin as well as a debut with Arizona Opera as the title role in Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice conducted by Joel Revzen. Symphonic appearances include Handel’s L’Allegro, il Penseroso ed il moderato with the Mark Morris Dance Group at the Kennedy Center conducted by Jane Glover, Haydn’s The Creation with the Oregon Symphony conducted by Carlos Kalmar, and Messiah at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

Christine Brandes’ 2010-11 season included Vivaldi’s Gloria with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl conducted by Grant Gershon, Handel’s L’Allegro with the Orchestra of St. Luke’s and Jane Glover at the Mostly Mozart Festival of Lincoln Center, and Messiah with Tafelmusik. Beyond the Baroque, Ms. Brandes’ performances included Mahler’s Symphony No. 4 with the Canton Symphony, Mendelssohn’s Elijah with Michael Christie and the Phoenix Symphony, and a program of Mahler Symphony No. 4 paired with Berg’s Lulu Suite with the Santa Rosa Symphony, as well as a residency with the Oregon Bach Festival with performances of several Bach Cantatas and a semi-staged version of Honegger’s Jeanne d’Arc under the batons of Helmuth Rilling and Marin Alsop respectively. On the opera stage, the artist returned to the Seattle Opera as Pamina in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte under the baton of Gary Thor Wedow in a new production directed by Chris Alexander.

During recent seasons, Ms. Brandes was seen in her Washington National Opera debut as Catherine in William Bolcom’s A View from the Bridge, at Portland Opera as Despina in Così fan tutte, as well as at Central City Opera as Maria Corona in Gian Carlo Menotti’s The Saint of Bleecker Street. She also has bowed at the Lyric Opera of Kansas City as Cleopatra in Giulio Cesare and as The Governess in The Turn of the Screw.

Christine Brandes has recorded for EMI, BMG/Conifer Classics, Dorian, Harmonia Mundi USA, Virgin Classics, and Koch International.

Eric Owens

Acclaimed for his commanding stage presence and inventive artistry, American bass-baritone Eric Owens has carved a unique place in the contemporary opera world as both an esteemed interpreter of classic works and a champion of new music. Equally at home in concert, recital and opera performances, Owens continues to bring his powerful poise, expansive voice and instinctive acting faculties to stages around the world.

During 2011-2012, Owens embarks on a significant recital tour. In addition to engagements in Washington, D.C., Berkeley, Portland and Philadelphia, Owens will perform February 21 at Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall, with Robert Spano at the keyboard. He will sing Bach Cantatas with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center on December 6. In addition, Owens will continue his work with the Metropolitan Opera’s Ring Cycle, with his character Alberich reappearing in October in Siegfried and in January in Götterdämmerung. The complete cycles will begin in April 2012. Owens will perform Beethoven’s Missa solemnis with the Boston Symphony Orchestra in March at Carnegie Hall, one of three appearances at Carnegie Hall this season. In addition, he will appear as Jochanaan in Strauss’ Salome with the Cleveland Orchestra. The production will run in both Cleveland and at Carnegie Hall in May. Owens begins summer 2012 with a performance of A Flowering Tree by John Adams with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. He will continue his summer at Glimmerglass Festival 2012 as the Artist in Residence. There, he will appear in Aida and Lost in the Stars.

Eric Owens will be performing in a solo recital tomorrow, Saturday September 10th, at the Terrace Theater, Kennedy Center at 7:30pm. For tickets, please call the Kennedy Center Box office at 202-467-4600 or purchase online www.kennedy-center.org/tickets/.

Col Michael J. Colburn

Colonel Michael J. Colburn is the 27th Director of “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band. During his more than twenty years with “The President’s Own,” Col Colburn has served as principal euphonium, Assistant Director, and since July 2004, the Director who is leading the Marine Band in its third century.

As Director of “The President’s Own,” Col Colburn is music adviser to the White House. He regularly conducts the Marine Band at the Executive Mansion and at all Presidential Inaugurations. He also serves as music director of Washington, D.C.’s prestigious Gridiron Club, a position held by every Marine Band Director since John Philip Sousa, and is a member of the Alfalfa Club and the American Bandmaster’s Association.

After joining “The President’s Own” in May 1987 as a euphonium player, Col Colburn regularly performed at the White House, in the metropolitan Washington, D.C., area, and throughout the country during the band’s annual concert tour. He quickly distinguished himself as a featured soloist, and in 1990 was appointed principal euphonium. In addition to his euphonium duties, Col Colburn was active as a conductor for “The President’s Own” chamber music series. In 1996, he was appointed Assistant Director and commissioned a first lieutenant. He accepted the position of Senior Assistant Director and Executive Officer in 2001, and in 2002 was promoted to the rank of major. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel one day before he assumed leadership of “The President’s Own” on July 17, 2004. He was promoted to colonel on July 3, 2007 by President George W. Bush in an Oval Office ceremony and awarded the Legion of Merit on July 11, 2008, the Marine Band’s 210th birthday, by Marine Corps Commandant, General James T. Conway.

As Director, Col Colburn has attracted prominent guest conductors to the podium of “The President’s Own,” including Leonard Slatkin, José Serebrier, and renowned film composer John Williams. Col Colburn is deeply committed to seeking new works for the Marine Band, and has been directly involved in commissions from composers David Rakowski (Ten of a Kind, Sibling Revelry, Cantina), David Chaitkin (Celebration), Melinda Wagner (Scamp), and Jennifer Higdon (Percussion Concerto). A future commission is forthcoming from Michael Gandolfi. Col Colburn has worked to expand the Marine Band’s educational outreach efforts by increasing master classes at schools throughout the nation during the band’s annual concert tour, and by initiating Music in the High Schools, a program that sends musicians from “The President’s Own” to perform in Washington, D.C., area high schools.

Col Colburn is a native of St. Albans, Vt., where he graduated from Bellows Free Academy in 1982. Following high school he attended the Crane School of Music at the State University of New York in Potsdam for two years. He continued his education at Arizona State University in Tempe, where he studied euphonium with Daniel Perantoni and earned a bachelor’s degree in music performance in 1986. In 1991, Col Colburn earned a master’s degree in conducting from George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., where he studied with Anthony Maiello.

Marine Orchestra

Director
Col Michael J. Colburn — St. Albans, VT

Piccolo
MGySgt Cynthia Rugolo — Lewisville, TX

Flute
MGySgt Betsy Hill — Shepherdstown, WV
GySgt Elisabeth Plunk — Moline, IL

Oboe
SSgt Rick Basehore — Rochester, NY

Oboe/English Horn
SSgt Joseph DeLuccio — Vernon, NJ

United States Navy Band Sea Chanters

Sopranos

MU1 Antje A. Farmer — Redmond, Wash
MU1 Susan Lewis Kavinski — Alexandria, Va.
MU1 Kristin A. Pagent — Chicago, Ill.
MU1 Jennifer A. Stothoff — Roanoke, Va.
MU1 Sarah L. Tietsort — South Bend, Ind.

Altos

MUCS Georgina L. Todd — Cornwall, N.Y.
MU1 Casey J. Elliott — Lubbock, Texas
MU1 Amanda Polychronis — Phoenix, Ariz.
MU1 Beth E. Revell — Bullhead City, Ariz.
MU1 Rachel Sarracco — Victoria, Texas

Tenor

MU1 Michael H. Belinkie — Richmond, Va.
MU1 Benjamin L. Bransford, III — Hurst, Texas
MU1 Adam Whitman — Webster, Fla.

Baritone/Bass

MUC Edward Daryl Duff — St. Louis, Mo.
MU1 William F. Edwards III, — Greenbelt, Md.
MU1 J. David Sigmon — Odessa, Texas
MUC(sel) Adam C. Tyler — Phoenix, Ariz.
MU1 Michael A. Webb — Reston, Va.

Pro Singers

Brahms Requiem

The Choristers

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Forum on Compassion with author Karen Armstrong

10:15 AM

moderated by Cathedral Dean Samuel T. Lloyd III

Karen Armstrong

Noted author and religion expert Karen Armstrong joined us in a Forum on Compassion with Dean Lloyd at 10:15 am. Armstrong is the winner of a 2008 TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) award for her interfaith “Charter of Compassion” and bestselling author of several titles including A History of God.

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A Concert to Heal

with Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori and musical guests.

VENUE UPDATE: THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED 

“A Concert to Heal,” hosted by ABC7/WJLA-TV anchor Leon Harris, will feature local artists including the Latin music pop band Ocho de Bastos, and Afghan-born Muslim singer Humayun Khan. The music will encourage interfaith understanding across cultures and generations, and the community day will help recall the unity Americans felt in the face of the attacks on 9/11 and the common values that helped us become stronger as one nation and one people.

Leon Harris

Award-winning journalist Leon Harris anchors the 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts for ABC7/WJLA-TV. He came to Washington after 20 years at CNN’s Atlanta Headquarters, where he co-anchored CNN Live Today and Prime News, and hosted CNN Presents and American Stories.

Harris has covered a wide variety of stories including the September 11th terror strikes, the Oklahoma City bombing, the Asian Tsunami of 2004, the explosion and crash of TWA Flight 800 and the Los Angeles riots. He has interviewed presidential candidates, and reported live from both the Republican and Democratic National Conventions.

Harris’ work has earned him a number of honors, among them multiple CableAce awards for Best Newscaster, and National Emmy Awards for coverage of the September 11th terror strikes, the Oklahoma City bombing and the 2000 presidential election. He was honored, too, with a National Headliner Award and more recently with a National Capital Area Emmy Award for Best Anchor.

A Cum Laude and honorary doctorate recipient from Ohio University, Leon Harris is passionate about improving the lives of children and serves on numerous charitable boards including those of For the Love of Children, Junior Achievement of the National Capital Area, and MenzFit.

Ocho de Bastos

Ocho de Bastos is a Latin rock band based in the greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Its members are five young professionals, all born and raised in Puerto Rico. They have shared stage with Latin stars, like “Autenticos Decadentes,” “Enanitos Verdes,” “Jarabe de Palo,” “Vilma Palma e Vampiros,” “Bomba Estereo,” Zoe, and Argentine rock legend Nito Mestre, among others. After several successful performances, they are known as one of the best Latin rock bands in the area. The band has performed in several states, and in their homeland Puerto Rico.

Links

Sweet Honey in the Rock

…I have always believed art is the conscience of the human soul and that artists have the responsibility not only to show life as it is but to show life as it should be. … Sweet Honey In The Rock has withstood the onslaught. She has been unprovoked by the 30 pieces of silver. Her songs lead us to the well of truth that nourishes the will and courage to stand strong. She is the keeper of the flame. …Harry Belafonte

From Psalm 81:16 comes the promise to a people of being fed by honey out of the rock. Honey – an ancient substance, sweet and nurturing. Rock – an elemental strength, enduring the winds of time. The metaphor of sweet honey in the rock captures completely these African American women whose repertoire is steeped in the sacred music of the Black church, the clarion calls of the civil rights movement, and songs of the struggle for justice everywhere.

Rooted in a deeply held commitment to create music out of the rich textures of African American legacy and traditions, Sweet Honey In The Rock possesses a stunning vocal prowess that captures the complex sounds of Blues, spirituals, traditional gospel hymns, rap, reggae, African chants, Hip Hop, ancient lullabies, and jazz improvisation. Sweet Honey’s collective voice, occasionally accompanied by hand percussion instruments, produces a sound filled with soulful harmonies and intricate rhythms.

In the best and in the hardest of times, Sweet Honey In The Rock has come in song to communities across the U.S., and around the world raising her voice in hope, love, justice, peace, and resistance. Sweet Honey invites her audiences to open their minds and hearts and think about who we are and how we treat each other, our fellow creatures who share this planet, and of course, the planet itself.

Sweet Honey took that philosophy into the studio this summer and recorded Are We A Nation?, a song that challenges misguided and discriminatory responses to the country’s immigration issues. Co-written by Sweet Honey and Barry Eastmond, the song was produced by the Grammy award winning Eastmond, and features award-winning Rap artist, Yonas. A music video of Are We A Nation?, produced and directed by James Lester, was also released online this summer.

Sweet Honey In the Rock begins the 38th season with a schedule full of excitement. In addition to a busy performance year, Sweet Honey has already begun working on her 24th CD, a tribute to the history and evolution of a cappella music entitled Sweet Vocappella. The spring of 2011 brings a special tribute: Sweet Honey in The Rock: Remembering Nina, Odetta, and Miriam, during two performances at Jazz at Lincoln Center. The group is also developing a new collaborative symphonic orchestra piece, Affirmations, with noted composer William Banfield. That work is scheduled to premiere in 2012.

Founded by Bernice Johnson Reagon in 1973 at the D.C. Black Repertory Theater Company, Sweet Honey In The Rock®, internationally renowned a cappella ensemble, has been a vital and innovative presence in the music culture of Washington, D.C., and in communities of conscience around the world.

Sweet Honey In The Rock is Ysaye Maria Barnwell, Nitanju Bolade Casel, Aisha Kahlil, Carol Maillard, Louise Robinson, and Shirley Childress Saxton.

For more information on Sweet Honey, please visit their web site at: www.sweethoneyintherock.org.

Humayun Khan Ensemble

Humayun Khan — Vocal & Harmonium
Broto Roy — Tabla
Harry Appelman — Keyboard
Steve Zerlin — Bass
Leland Nakamura – Drums

Commemorative Holy Eucharist

11:15 AM

with Bishop of Washington John Bryson Chane, presider and Cathedral Dean Samuel T. Lloyd III, preacher

Cathedral Dean Samuel T. Lloyd III

A Commemorative Holy Eucharist at 11:15 am concluded Sunday morning’s commemorations with Dean Lloyd preaching and Bishop Chane presiding.

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A Concert for Hope

8 PM

with Patti Labelle, Alan Jackson and Denyce Graves.

“President Obama will visit the three memorial sites in New York, Pennsylvania, and at the Pentagon on September 11, reminding us all of the tremendous toll that tragic day had on our nation. We are honored that President Obama will conclude this journey at the National Cathedral,” said Cathedral Dean Samuel T. Lloyd III.

“Ten years ago at the Cathedral, the nation gathered after tragedy with President Bush; at the Cathedral this year, we mark the passing of a decade since a day that changed the life of every American. It is our hope that the Cathedral’s commemoration, especially with President Obama’s participation in it, will move us further down the path toward healing.”

President Barack Obama delivered his only formal remarks the evening of Sunday, September 11, during “A Concert for Hope,” the capstone event of a three-day commemoration of the tenth anniversary of September 11, 2001.

The event featured R&B legend Patti LaBelle, country superstar Alan Jackson, and renowned mezzo soprano Denyce Graves. Music, readings, and reflections instilled a sense of renewal and hope for the decade ahead. 

A Concert for Hope broadcasted live beginning at 8 PM on CallToCompassion.com as well as the following affiliates:

• C-SPAN
• NPR

ABC affiliates:

• WJLA-TV, Washington, DC
• WHTM-TV, Harrisburg-York-Lebanon-Lancaster, PA
• WSET-TV, Lynchburg, VA
• WCIV, Charleston, SC
• WCFT-TV/WJSU-TV, Birmingham-Tuscaloosa-Anniston, AL
• KATV, Little Rock, AR
• KTUL, Tulsa, OK

Patti LaBelle

Beautiful, simply does not describe the incomparable force known to the world as Patti LaBelle. As time continues to evolve, the soulful songbird’s name has become synonymous with grace, style, elegance and class. Belting out classic rhythm and blues renditions, pop standards and spiritual sonnets have created the unique platform of versatility that Ms. Patti is known and revered for.

Last year, she reunited with Sarah Dash and Nona Hendryx for the first time in 30 years for the critically acclaimed Labelle reunion album, Back to Now. It’s a small wonder that Patti has time for anything else in between recording and touring, but she makes time and the world is oh so happy that she does!

Patti has her own wig line, The Patti LaBelle Collection, and in November 2008, she released her fifth book and third cookbook, Recipes for The Good Life, and an instructional cooking DVD, In the Kitchen with Miss Patti. The cookbook features recipes and anecdotes that reflect Patti’s philosophy that good cooking and the love of entertaining come from the heart. More recently, Patti introduced a line of signature sauces and marinades called Lady Marmalade and launched a designer bedding collection with Macy’s, Patti LaBelle Home.

In addition to her amazing career as an entertainer and entrepreneurial success, Ms. LaBelle’s work as a humanitarian is just as legendary. She remains an advocate for adoption, foster care, Big Sisters and the United Negro College Fund, among many other initiatives. While Ms. LaBelle’s celebrated career is respected world-wide, she has also endured and survived personal strife. Within a 10-year period, she lost her mother, three sisters and best friend to diabetes and cancer. In 1994, LaBelle was diagnosed with diabetes and shortly thereafter became a spokesperson for the American Diabetes Association.

The same motivation that had Patricia Louise Holte blossom from a choir member to lead vocalist for Patti LaBelle & The Bluebelles and later Labelle, to a solo artist is the same energy that keeps her fire burning at six-three years young. “Each year I grow, and that’s a blessing from God. I do what I can do. I do what I feel God has given me the energy to do, so I just go out there and I do it…It’s not about making money because I don’t need money, but I need to sing. With a voice or without, I’ve got to get on that stage.” And the world is thankful that Ms. Patti’s voice sounds so good to our ears.

Alan Jackson

Alan Jackson is one of the most successful and respected singer-songwriters in music.
He has sold nearly 60-million albums worldwide, topped the country singles charts 35 times, and scored more than 50 Top-10 hits. He is a three-time Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year and a member of the Grand Ole Opry – in fact, he’s one of the most-honored singer-songwriters of the last 20 years, with a total of two Grammys, 16 CMA Awards and 17 ACM Awards to his credit. Jackson’s songs span 13 studio albums, three hits collections, two holiday albums and a critically-acclaimed gospel album.

The Georgia native has written/co-written 24 of his 35 #1 singles which places him second only to Merle Haggard in country music history as artists who have written or co-written #1 songs they have also recorded. Jackson is in the elite company of Paul McCartney and John Lennon among songwriters who’ve written more than 20 songs that they’ve recorded and taken to the top of the charts. His prolific songwriting has earned him a position in the elite Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and his induction will be Oct. 16.

Jackson’s songs are distinguished by straightforward, honest and back-to-basics Country sincerity. Included in his 24 number-one songs for himself are “Remember When,” “Good Time,” “Drive (For Daddy Gene),” “Don’t Rock The Jukebox,” “Where I Come From” and the career highlights “Chattahoochee” and “Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning).” “Chattahoochee” won a CMA Song of the Year award. “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)” won Song of the Year honors from the CMA, the ACM and the Grammys. He was ASCAP’s Country Songwriter of the Year in 1993, 1994 and 1998; Jackson was ASCAP’s Country Songwriter/Artist of the Year in 2002, 2003, 2008 and 2009; and in 2010 he was honored with the prestigious ASCAP Founders Award. Jackson was NSAI’s Songwriter/Artist of the Year in 1991, 1992, 2002, 2007 and 2008. In addition, he has penned or co-written hits for other artists, notably the #1 songs “A Better Class Of Losers” (Randy Travis) and “If I Could Make A Living” (Clay Walker). He was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 2001. One of country music’s most-prolific songwriters, Jackson’s latest hit is “Long Way to Go,” the first single from his forthcoming debut album on EMI Records Nashville and his own ACR (Alan’s Country Records) venture. Recent credits also include “You’d Be Lonesome, Too,” from the new Lost Notebooks of Hank Williams project, spearheaded by Bob Dylan. Jackson completed the song based on original unfinished lyrics by the legend.

Denyce Graves

mezzo soprano Denyce Graves

Recognized worldwide as one of today’s most exciting vocal stars, Denyce Graves continues to gather unparalleled popular and critical acclaim in performances on four continents. Her career has taken her to the world’s great opera houses and concert halls. The combination of her expressive, rich vocalism, elegant stage presence, and exciting theatrical abilities allows her to pursue a wide breadth of operatic portrayals as well as delight audiences in concert and recital appearances.

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