The musicians and singers gathered at Shiloh Community Church in north Phoenix to rehearse for their concert titled “America Remembers.”
Kevin Kozacek is the head of the symphony orchestra.
“I think it was a huge turning point in America and we need to remember what it did to us,” Kozacek said.
He’s also the co-conductor for the event.
“I was an airline pilot at the time and I was flying for Southwest Airlines,” Kozacek said. “And I was just about ready to go to work when my wife called me into the kitchen and said ‘Kevin you need to see this’ and I was watching the tower and the second tower fall.”
Kozacek says the aftermath of 9/11’s effect on U.S. soldiers is why the net proceeds from the show will go toward the Phoenix chapter of U.S.VETS.
“They really focus on veterans who are struggling with homelessness and PTSD and being able to be back on their feet,” Kozacek said.
Many of the performers have connections to that day, including Suzanne Johnsen, who plays the oboe and English horn.
“It’s something that we can give back to the community in a memorial for all those who died on 9/11 and have died since because of 9/11,” Johnsen said. “You know, 25 years since 9/11 is a very momentous occasion. And it’s really good that we’re able to do something to put our feelings into this.”
In 2001, she was out of the country on a cruise when the terrorist attack happened.
“We couldn’t reach anybody in the United States to make sure they were safe and to tell them we were safe,” Johnsen said. “And then there were debates on what to do with the cruise but we had no reason to turn back, we couldn’t go home cause the airplanes were down.”
Eleanor Johnson is the head of the North Valley Chorale and co-conductor of the event.
“My husband worked for American Express in those days and he used to be in the next door building, and it was just a miracle of god that he wasn’t there,” Johnson said. “It really was impactful. People he worked with in New York were killed. You can’t believe it,” Johnson said.
She says she selected songs for the concert that represent mourning rather than patriotism.
“I feel that sometimes people don’t take the time to grieve,” Johnson said.
The concert “America Remembers” will take place this Sunday, Sept. 13 at 3 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Phoenix.
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