Artwork from lobby of World Trade Center. This has become a memorial site for individuals who died on 9/11.

Artwork from lobby of World Trade Center. This has become a memorial site for individuals who died on 9/11.
This steel girder in the shape of a cross was left standing at the end of all the tumult. It has been left standing as a symbol of hope for all who visit Ground Zero.

This steel girder in the shape of a cross was left standing at the end of all the tumult. It has been left standing as a symbol of hope for all who visit Ground Zero.
NYFD Metro Tech-9 Center facility- Chief Daniel Nigro presents poster to In Harmony w/ photos of all Firefighters who died on 9/11.

NYFD Metro Tech-9 Center facility- Chief Daniel Nigro presents poster to In Harmony w/ photos of all Firefighters who died on 9/11.

 Metro Tech-9 Center facility, Brooklyn, NY.

Metro Tech-9 Center facility, Brooklyn, NY. Main hall in front of the Memorial Wall Bronze tiles list the names of all Firefighters who have made the "ultimate sacrifice" in the line of duty. In Harmony performed their entire concert here, in front of the Memorial- L-R Cathy Drake, Ryan Ford, Ashley Canen, Nick Baker, Liz Rainey and Herbie Allen.
Distance shot of "cross" at Ground Zero, NYC, NY.

Distance shot of "cross" at Ground Zero, NYC, NY.
Statue of Liberty- In Harmony informal concert at park.

Statue of Liberty- In Harmony informal concert at park. L-R front row- Liz Rainey, Nick Baker, Cathy Drake. back row- Jenn Hervey, Ashley Canen, Ryan Ford & Herbie Allen
NYFD concert- In Harmony performing "Oh Happy Day"

NYFD concert- In Harmony performing "Oh Happy Day" L-R: Cathy Drake, Ashley Canen, Nick Baker, Liz Rainey, and Herbie Allen
Ground Zero- In Harmony meets with NYFD officer on break from duties at Ground Zero

Ground Zero- In Harmony meets with NYFD officer on break from duties at Ground Zero- the officer placed his helmet on Ryan Ford's head for this shot. others in photo: Mrs. Kathy Hervey, Liz Rainey, Mrs. Leslie Rainey, Mrs. Donna Ford, Cathy Drake, Ashley Canen, Nick Baker, Herbie Allen and Jennifer Hervey.
Vietnam War Memorial- Informal concert In Harmony singing "Amazing Grace"

Vietnam War Memorial- Informal concert In Harmony singing "Amazing Grace" L-R: Cathy Drake, Ryan Ford, Ashley Canen, Herbie Allen, Liz Rainey and Nick Baker.
NYFD: in Harmony posing with school banner

NYFD: in Harmony posing with school banner, L-R: Cathy Drake, Ryan Ford, Ashley Canen, Jenn Hervey, Nick Baker, Liz Rainey and Herbie Allen.
L-R: back row Ashley, Ryan and Herbie, front: Liz, Nick and Cathy

L-R: back row Ashley, Ryan and Herbie, front: Liz, Nick and Cathy
Ellis Island, NY. Jenn Hervey behind the sign, Cathy Drake, Nick Baker, Liz Rainey.

Ellis Island, NY. Jenn Hervey behind the sign, Cathy Drake, Nick Baker, Liz Rainey.
" In Harmony" at WA Monument/ Cherry trees, Nick Baker in foreground.

" In Harmony" at WA Monument/ Cherry trees, Nick Baker in foreground.

 White House- Informal concert in front at street. L-R: Ashley, Cathy, Ryan, Liz, Nick and Herbie.

White House- Informal concert in front at street. L-R: Ashley, Cathy, Ryan, Liz, Nick and Herbie.
Red Cross facility: In Harmony donated all the proceeds from September concert to local Red Cross office.

Red Cross facility: In Harmony donated all the proceeds from September concert to local Red Cross office. back row L-R: Ryan Ford, Liz Rainey, Jenn hervey, Nick Baker. In front: Lisa Garcia, Robert Chu, Cathy Drake, and Ashley Canen flanked by local Red Cross office personnel.

School for Blind choir trip hits special note
Choir Sings for firefighters

back to "Here's To Our Heroes" page

Washington State School for the Blind Honors Choir

"In Harmony" Tours East Coast & Ground Zero

The WSSB honors choir, In Harmony, went on a 2-week, 26 concert tour on the East Coast of the US. Much of the music and inspiration for the trip was an emotional response to the events of Sept. 11th. The kids sang at many different places in Baltimore, Maryland, Washington D.C.and New York City. They sang at several Schools for the Blind, at Peabody Conservatory, Carnegie Hall, the Pentagon and Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage. The informal concerts on subways at various memorial sights like Ground Zero, the Vietnam Memorial wall were the most poignant. There was such a connection to the people standing there. Even though our kids could not "see" the devastation, they could sense that Ground Zero was a very somber setting. The choir's singing moved firefighters who were on break and the police officers, who were on duty keeping the work area secure. Fireman walked over to the barricade and spoke with our kids. They shook hands, let the kids "see" them, examine their hats and gear. They even posed for a photo with the choir. The song Amazing Grace had touched many of the people. Our choir wanted to acknowledge and honor all the victims, the officers and workers at the site.

Another very emotional concert was at the Metro Tech-7 facility in Brooklyn. Although an auditorium in the office area was originally set up for the concert, an official decided to move the choir out to the main hall of the building, right in front of the Memorial wall. He commented that this was kind of their "church" or sacred area since the memorial was in this area of the building.

The brass plaque that is on the wall at the Metro Tech facility in Brooklyn, NY, lists out on each brass plate the name and information on each firefighter that has died in the line of duty. I am not clear on just how long this record goes back, somewhere toward the beginning of the 1900's or late 1800's. The choir members were able to tactilely "see" and understand how many brass plates were there and know that each represented a member of the department who had made the ultimate sacrifice. That the 343 who lost their lives on Sept.11, 2001 will fill up the rest of the empty space made quite an impression on all of us. ---courtesy of Kathy Passage, (Nick's Baker's mother who toured with the group)


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