The crescendo of two dozen French horns inside Kilbourn Hall on Sept. 11 told the story of the complicated swirl of grief that followed the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on America ― this time, without words.
It was dark and quiet inside the Gibbs Street auditorium when the lonely range of a single horn player broke through the silence. Stage lights soon revealed a choir of Eastman School of Music students and alumni stirred by the music. The fanfare soared to a quick and powerful anger at times; fell to a mournful and introspective melody at others.
And then, triumph, with a final arrangement of America the Beautiful.
These students weren't yet born when terrorists flew hijacked planes into the Twin Towers, the Pentagon and a field in western
Pennsylvania, killing thousands of ordinary citizens and first responders who rushed to their aid. But their horn director, Peter Kurau, spent that morning similar to today ― surrounded by students and music.
He called the remembrance concert an opportunity to reflect on the "limitless longevity and magnitude" of that day.
"We're here not just to train musicians. We're trying to train world citizens, too," Kurau said. "Despite the tragedy of 2001, the resilience that came out of that will sustain us well into the future."
For the 25th anniversary, Friday's concert featured the premiere of a new composition by 2006 Eastman alum, U.S. Army Master Sergeant J.G. Miller. He was accompanied by fellow Eastman graduates, Colonel Ted Price (Class of '97) and Staff Sergeant Morgan Chalmers (Class of '25).
The piece used three solo horns to reflect on their different relationships to Sept. 11: One person who was already serving in the military and would soon deploy to combat; a high schooler who did not yet understand how the world would change; and a younger citizen who learned of the attacks through history.
Current Eastman students, including a tuba player, also participated in the number.
"Music does not erase grief, nor does it answer our questions about such tragedies," said Dean Kate Sheeran. "But it has a unique ability to bring people together, to create space for reflection, and to offer peace when words alone fall short."
— Kayla Canne covers community safety for the Democrat and Chronicle with a focus on immigration, police accountability, government surveillance and how people are impacted by violence. Follow her on Instagram @bykaylacanne. Get in touch at kcanne@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Eastman students weren't alive on 9/11. They honored it through music
