In the summer of 2001, Mr. Robinson planned a trip for the high school choir, the community choir, and the orchestra to go to Carnegie Hall in New York City and sing Mozart’s Requiem. Then the events of 9.11 happened. The performance after 9.11 made the experience more meaningful. In April 2002, they performed the Requiem in Carnegie Hall and also Saint Patrick Cathedral, in New York City. They were also able to go to the Ground Zero.
One year later, Mr. Robinson found out that there was a plan to sing the requiem all over the world in honor of those who lost their lives. This was called “The Rolling Requiem” as it was sung in each time zone at 8;46am, starting in Guam, and rolling through the following countries; Indonesia, Japan, China, Russia, Europe, U.S.A. (East coast) and Alaska. When this plan arose, Mr. Robinson received many phone calls from Anchorage, Fairbanks and even people from Minnesota who were visiting Anchorage.
“All Adults, students and even strangers wanted to be a part of the concert and perform together,” he said. Homer was the only place that sang Requiem at that time in Alaska.
“In Homer, there were so many people who came to listen and we performed at the gym. It was very moving and people were very emotional. It was one of my most meaningful experiences as a choir teacher,” he said.
Choir is going to perform Lacrimosa, a part of Requiem in this Fall Concert, on October 24th.
Students are warming up in the choir class.