The Collegio Pittsburg's student voice since 1916
Pittsburg State University is collaborating with other campus and community groups to perform a remembrance concert for the 20th anniversary of 9/11. The event will be performed live at the Bicknell Center on Sept. 9, 2021, at 7 p.m. at the Bicknell Center. The concert is open to everyone, and admission is free. The concert will be streamed on Sept. 11 on the university website and Facebook page. This is the first time the music department has done a performance like this.
“I think there are so many anniversaries and celebrations going around the country because it is an important one everyone remembers,” said Dr. Raul Munguia, PSU director of orchestras. “I think for historical relevance and account for us as an institution to contribute to that as well. It will be recorded in the history books for our department and our university.”
The Southeast Kansas Symphony will be performing five pieces: “Amazing Grace” accompanied by guest artist, Bagpiper and Orin Weiss, a ninth grader from Girard, KS; “Fanfare for the Common Man” by Aaron Copland; “Adagio for Strings” by Samuel Barber; “Lacrimosa” from “Requiem” by W. A. Mozart; and “America the Beautiful” by Samuel Ward. “America the Beautiful” will be accompanied by Weiss and the university choir.
“The reason we have chosen to end with America the Beautiful is to celebrate what we have done in the last 20 years,” Munguia said. “At the same time (we’ll) celebrate the support that humanity gave to the United States as well as the American people.”
Other groups within and outside of campus will be participating in the event as well. These include Dr. Scott, PSU ROTC, Pittsburg Police Department, Pittsburg State Police, and the Pittsburg fire department. The fire department will showcase an American flag outside of the Bicknell Center on the day of the concert. Dr. Scott will give remarks and retired military members will be acknowledged during the performance.
“I’m glad that as a college freshman I can show my support and appreciation for those who sacrificed their lives 2o years ago,” said freshman ROTC cadet Laine Sparks.
One of the main points of the remembrance concert was not to have a concert with a theme of 9/11, but to fully remember the event and those who went to help.
“I think this is right for us to do it especially in the times we are living in now,” Munguia said. “I think it’s nice to have that moment of encouragement for the average citizen.”
Those interested in playing with the university symphony do not need to be a student to join. The symphony is open to anyone in the Pittsburg community who wishes to play.
“One of the nice things about the symphony is that we accept community members that perform with the orchestra. It’s really nice to see students with community members blended in the whole orchestra and ensemble,”