The Sarasota Orchestra, together with Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, is hosting a special benefit concert on Thursday, Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. to mark the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Titled “Summon the Heroes,” the event will honor the men and women who served and sacrificed on that day and will raise funds for four local first‑responder charities.
Program highlights
Conductor Evan Roider will lead the orchestra through a moving selection that includes Aaron Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man, Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings, and John Williams’s new piece Summon the Heroes. Narration will be provided by Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe founder Nate Jacobs, while soprano Amy Owens will sing “Amazing Grace” and “America the Beautiful” to close the program.
Supporting local heroes
All ticket sales will be donated to four Sarasota‑area nonprofit groups that directly aid first responders: Resilient Retreat, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office Charitable Foundation, the Sarasota Firefighters Benevolent Fund, and the Sarasota Police Foundation. Ticket prices range from $25 to $50, and each organization is waiving its own ticket fee, ensuring that every dollar goes straight to those who protect our community.
Why the concert matters
Rose Anne McCabe, senior vice president of artistic operations for the orchestra, said the concert is a chance for the community to “say thank you” to those who give of themselves, their families, and their lives. “Music is a way to express things that words cannot,” she explained. “Bringing everybody together to experience the music is a beautiful way to honor our first responders.”
Joseph McKenna, president and CEO of the Sarasota Orchestra, highlighted Sarasota’s unique connection to the events of Sept. 11. “President George W. Bush was visiting a local elementary school when he received the news,” McKenna noted. “Twenty‑five years later, we are pleased to partner with Van Wezel for this benefit concert to bring our community together for an evening of poignant music that recognizes those who served and sacrificed while reflecting on the resilience and unity that continue to define us.”
How to attend
Tickets are available online through the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall website. With a modest price and a noble cause, the concert offers families, veterans, and all Sarasota residents an opportunity to celebrate faith, family, and freedom while supporting the brave men and women who keep our neighborhoods safe.
By combining world‑class music with a heartfelt tribute to local first responders, the Sarasota Orchestra and Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall demonstrate the power of community, tradition, and gratitude—values that lie at the heart of our city.
Original reporting: Tampa Bay Florida News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
