Memorial Concert: Bridging Beyond 9/11

The Tragedy of 911

It happened right here in New York - a terrible incident that shook the world. More than 3,000 people died and 24 Japanese victims were among them. That day, September 11, is not forgettable for most people living in NY city. In fact, it should not be forgotten. Where were you then? What were you doing? Wherever you were or whatever you were doing at that moment, this must be something that remains in your heart vividly just like a drama.

Now several years have passed. A variety of events are held in New York on this day every year. These events must have been held, at least at the first few years, for the purpose of praying for the victim's souls in peace. However, some events seem becoming routine ceremonies or even like festivals.

"A Thousand Winds" Composed by A Victim's Father

I happened to know Mr. Kazusada Sumiyama who lost his son in the 911 incident. Mr.Sumiyama likes music and he started composing songs expressing his grief and his passion in them. He also put some melodies to lyrics written by an American who also lost his child in the tragedy. One of Mr. Sumiyama's masterpieces is "A Thousand Winds". A song "A Thousand Winds" composed by Mr. Man Arai is already well known in Japan. Mr.Arai translated a poem written by a native American (anonymous) into Japanese and put a melody on it. At the one-year anniversary of the 911 tragedy in 2002, Ms. Brittany Clark, a 11 years old daughter of a victim (who was a chef of a restaurant in WTC), read the poem. People attended the ceremony were so moved by her reading especially when she changed an original phrase of "Do not cry before my graveyard" to "I am with you still". The word "graveyard" must have been something intolerable for her in a situation that her father's body was never found yet. Ms. Brittany mentioned later "I felt I heard my father's voice when I was reading the line.

Mr.Sumiyama had a great sympathy with her reading as his son's body was not found, either, and decided to compose a song based on the slightly modified poem. Unlike Arai's "A Thousand Winds", Sumiyama's "I Am With You Still" is rhythmic and swinging in six-eight time. I was moved by the piece as I felt "a prayer", "a hope" and "a strong message" there. That is why I planned this concert. I wanted to sing Mr.Sumiyama's "I Am With You Still" with my colleagues in men's choir hopefully in front of Mr.& Mrs. Sumiyama. Concert does not have to be gorgeous. It can be small and simple. All I want is a serene and healing moment and space with music that could be shared with the victim's families on that day.

The First "Circle Wind" Memorial Concert in 2008

More than 15 professional artists and musicians in NY area ( and a J-pop singer from Japan) participated in the first concert that was held in the evening of September 11, 2008 at an auditorium of an elementary school downtown New York. They were all volunteers. The concert was filled with a variety of live music, such as jazz, gospels, piano, violin, classic vocals (soprano & baritone solo), standard vocals and men's choir. Mr. Sumiyama's "I Am With You Still" was sung by a male choir at the end of the concert before him.

[The 2nd "Circle Wind" Memorial Concert in 2009]

We don't think that this concert should be an one-time event. We believe that this should go on every year. We see a great significance in continuing it. We would welcome people who love music not only in NY but from all of the world. It doesn't matter if you are professional or amateur. No special restrictions on your performance as long as it is appropriate to this concert. Your performance may be limited to about 10 minutes. However, it is only 2.5 hours concert with 15 minute intermission and we may have to decline your participation if we were fortunate to have had enough artists for the 2.5 hour performance.

We would also welcome volunteers to help us manage and support the concert. It would make a big difference to make the concert significant. The success of the concert should really depend on your deep compassion on the 911 tragedy as well as your love to music.

February 3, 2009

Mike Shirota

Music Director, "Circle Wind" Memorial Concert