The Washington Festival Chorale and the Washington Symphony Orchestra are presenting a 25th Anniversary of 9-11 Concert on Saturday, September 12 at 7:00 PM. It will be a spectacular collaborative concert featuring two of the area’s most accomplished musical entities.
The evening’s program will feature Dan Forrest’s Requiem for the Living and other pieces about dreams of a better world and hope. Those pieces include Bring Me All Your Dreams by popular composer Christopher Harris, and I Dream a World by the venerable Dave Brubek.
The works all have themes of compassion, healing, and safeguarding our dreams, making them especially fitting for a concert centered on remembrance, peace, and renewal. Together, the pieces form a thoughtful program that remembers tragedy while ultimately pointing toward hope, resilience, and a better future.
For decades, the Washington Festival Chorale has been enriching the cultural life of southwestern Pennsylvania through the power of choral music. The volunteer community chorus brings together singers from Washington, Greene, Fayette, Allegheny, and surrounding counties who share a passion for performing a wide range of vocal literature.
Under the direction of Artistic Director Mitchell Stecker, the Chorale presents concerts that span classical masterworks, sacred music, contemporary compositions, holiday favorites, and patriotic selections. Retired Central Greene teacher Lori Green serves as the group’s manager and board president.
The Chorale provides an opportunity for singers of varying experience levels to grow musically while building lasting friendships through a shared love of music. The organization welcomes new members and continues to encourage participation from throughout the region, including Greene County.
The other collaborative partner of the evening, the Washington Symphony Orchestra, has proven that world-class music can thrive in a community setting, enriching the cultural landscape of our area.
Founded in 2002, the WSO began with a simple but ambitious vision: to make live orchestral music accessible to everyone. What started as a modest ensemble has grown into a respected orchestra that attracts audiences from across the region.
Today, under the direction of Music Director Dr. Yugo Sava Ikach, the orchestra performs an impressive repertoire that reaches far beyond traditional classical concerts. Audiences can enjoy everything from the timeless works of Beethoven, Mozart, and Tchaikovsky to movie soundtracks, Broadway favorites, patriotic celebrations, holiday concerts, and pops performances. This variety has helped introduce countless newcomers to orchestral music while continuing to satisfy longtime classical music enthusiasts.
The orchestra calls the Olin Fine Arts Center at Washington & Jefferson College home, where it presents a regular concert season featuring professional-quality performances in an intimate setting. However, the special Remembrance Concert will be performed in the beautiful confines of Immaculate Conception Church.
One of the orchestra’s greatest strengths is its commitment to community engagement. Its musicians regularly perform at civic celebrations, educational programs, and special events throughout the region. Young people often experience their first live symphony concert through the orchestra’s outreach efforts.
For residents of Greene County, a short drive to Washington offers audiences an affordable evening filled with stirring music, talented performers, and an atmosphere that welcomes first-time concertgoers as warmly as seasoned subscribers.
