Last night after church, we had to stop at Wal-Mart for some of life's little necessities--mosquito repellent, cough medicine, yellow yarn for Baby Girl's school project, caffeinated beverage to keep me awake on the way home--and I sat in the van with the kids as Reba went inside. The kids were each carrying on a conversation, and each was completely unrelated to the others going on. Aaargh! I turned on the radio and tried to listen to something other than "you have boogers--i read about a horse--look at my leg--my eye hurts--look at my finger--what stinks." I turned it over to our local public radio station WBHM (yes, I do listen to NPR on occasion--there is nothing like a good dose of Daniel Schorr to top off my blood pressure) and just happened to tune in to NPR's 9/11: Musical Voices of Reflection

On 9/11/01, National Symphony Orchestra Music Director and BBC Orchestra Chief Conductor Leonard Slatkin was in London preparing for the Last Night of the Proms, the traditionally rousing English patriotic event closing out the 7-week long BBC Proms music festival Upon hearing what had happened back home, his first thought was that he shouldn't conduct the concert. Hear why Slatkin thought the "Ode to Joy" finale from Beethoven's Ninth was appropriate for the time, and how he got 7000 Londoners in Royal Albert Hall to sing the Star-Spangled Banner.

There is a link in the article to hear the interview--I assume the singing is part of the interview, but since I don't have speakers on my computer, I can't say for sure.

I can say this, though. I am not able to describe my emotions upon hearing this audience, singing as beautiful a rendition of our Anthem as I have ever heard. It was heartfelt and moving and incredible, and I would like to thank each person who was there and sang that night.
posted by Terry at 11:54:00 AM