In America, it was Christmas evening. Families celebrated with dinner, gifts, carols and prayer. While on the other side of the world, a tsunami of overwhelming magnitude broke open the lives of millions.
While countries and communities everywhere rushed to help, in Seattle, people began to remember the Rolling Requiem. As the sole global tribute on the first anniversary of the September 11th attacks, it involved 205 choirs in 28 countries singing Mozart's
Requiem. It created a global outpouring of love, hope and healing.
Could we invite the world to come together for a second tribute, people asked, one that will sound a common chord of hope and renewal in the tsunami's wake?
Because of their initiative, the Rolling Requiem's second global tribute has started to take shape. As with the original event, choruses from around the globe will sing. On this second occasion they will all sing together, beginning at the moment the tsunami struck one year before.
The Music Begins
In Banda Aceh, Indonesia, the music will begin at 8:30 AM on December 26th. In Europe and Africa, it will start during the quiet hours just after midnight on December 26th. In America, these songs of memorial and rebirth will commence on Christmas evening.
An invitation to sing is extended to the original 205 choirs that made up the Rolling Requiem. Any and all additional choruses around the globe are also invited to participate.
The choirs of the world will come together as one when the downbeat for the music is given by a Master Conductor to each of the chorus conductors via live television and Internet broadcasting. Gerard Schwarz, Music Director of the Seattle Symphony, will serve as the Master Conductor.
Live Broadcast for Tsunami Relief
The Tsunami Tribute will be streamed live through broadband Internet. Viewers are invited to tune in at
www.rollingrequiem.org/livetribute
