Starting at the International Date Line on Wednesday, September 11th, 2002, choirs in the first time zone, in New Zealand, began singing at 8:46 AM. This was the moment of the first attack. Choirs in the next time zone, and the next, began to sing at 8:46 AM, in their time zones as the Rolling Requiem followed the sun around the world. With choirs performing around the world, the music continued throughout a 24-hour period.

A list of the cities and countries where events occurred is available here.

How did the Rolling Requiem get started?
Shortly after the completion of the Seattle Symphony's Mozart Requiem concerts in late January '02, one of the basses in the chorus shared a powerful story of his chance meeting with a woman who attended the opening night performance. She told him of her vision during the concert -- have the best choruses in the country ring the area around Ground Zero to perform the Requiem after the clean up is completed. There would be one voice for each person lost.

This compelling idea brought a group of Seattle Symphony Chorale members together to formally explore the concept. The Rolling Requiem Committee was formed as a volunteer effort. Committee volunteers met on a weekly basis from January to September to discuss the vision, develop a course of action, and implement it.

The Committee broadened the initial vision to include the creation of a Rolling Requiem with choirs performing in each time zone around the world on September 11, 2002 at 8:46 AM, the time of the first attack. Volunteers combined their talent and energy to create and implement a successful worldwide tribute.

How did the Rolling Requiem work?
Mozart's Requiem began west of the International Dateline in New Zealand. It crossed the ocean to Japan, Thailand and Taiwan. This swelling tribute flowed on to Israel, Eastern and Western Europe. It soared across another ocean and touched Brazil, Suriname, Honduras and New York. Then, it moved across North and South America, and on through islands in the Pacific, as it completed its circle in American Samoa. This created the effect of continuous singing, or a Rolling Requiem, throughout a 24-hour period.

Each Rolling Requiem choir organized its own performance including singers, soloists, orchestras, music, venues, local publicity, fund-raising and so forth. The Rolling Requiem Committee worked with the choirs to provide instructions and support. Regular email updates provided ongoing information to choirs up to the day of the event and beyond. A list of names of those who perished was emailed to each choir. These names were written on heart badges that the choir made. Musicians and sometimes audience members each wore one of these badges. Afterwards, the choirs mailed the heart badges to the Rolling Requiem Committee. They are being sorted by name and forwarded to each family.

What was the goal for this effort?
By bringing together these many voices, the Rolling Requiem made a contribution to the healing process of the many who have been deeply affected by the losses of September 11th. As the only worldwide commemoration of the first anniversary, the Rolling Requiem served as a reaffirmation of love and support of one for one another. In the same way that so many reached out to help immediately after the attack, this tribute made a difference for many people worldwide.

How can I obtain a copy of the worldwide documentary of the Rolling Requiem?
The Rolling Requiem Committee is working to create a documentary of the worldwide Rolling Requiem. Our primary intent is to share this incredible event as broadly as possible and to document its historic significance. If you would like to place an advance order for the videotape/DVD of the documentary, please click here. The estimated price for the documentary is $25. Proceeds from the sales of the documentary will go to a charitable organization that focuses on helping those touched by terrorism.

How can I obtain a copy of the book about the Rolling Requiem?
The Rolling Requiem Committee is working to create a book that tells the story of the worldwide Rolling Requiem. Our primary intent is to share this incredible event as broadly as possible and to document its historic significance. If you would like to place an advance order for the book, please click. The estimated price for the book is $15. Proceeds from the sales of the book will go to a charitable organization that focuses on helping those touched by terrorism.

Who built the Rolling Requiem website?
ElectionMouse, a web design firm based in New York and San Jose, volunteered its expertise in designing and building the Rolling Requiem website, www.rollingrequiem.org. ElectionMouse offers comprehensive consulting, development, and management of web technology for political campaigns, non-profit organizations and social activism. For more information, visit the ElectionMouse website at www.electionmouse.com or email them at info(at)electionmouse.com

Who can I contact for more information about the committee and the Rolling Requiem?
Please email info(at)rollingrequiem.org with your thoughts and/or questions. A Rolling Requiem Committee volunteer will get in touch with you.