A pair of concerts in Tucson on Sunday will commemorate the 10-year anniversary of 9/11, the day in 2001 when terrorists flew planes into New York's World Trade Center.
• On Sunday afternoon, Eric Holtan will conduct the Tucson Symphony Orchestra and his Tucson Chamber Artists professional choir in "Remembrance and Renewal: A Concert to Commemorate the 10th Anniversary of September 11."
The cornerstone of the event, to be held at Centennial Hall on the University of Arizona campus, is a commissioned oratorio by nationally acclaimed composer Stephen Paulus.
His seven-movement work, "Prayers and Remembrances," draws non-religious texts that reference Muslims, Christians and Native Americans.
"The common theme of the texts is love thy neighbor as thyself," Holtan said.
"The message of the texts and Paulus's unique way of setting text … will have a profound effect on the listener in terms of how they view 9/11, in terms of how they view their own tragedies and how they view the world."
The concert begins at 3 p.m. at Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Blvd. Tickets are $19-$64 through www.uapresents.org; 621-3341.
UApresents is a partner in the concert with the TCA and TSO.
• On Sunday night, TSO Conductor George Hanson will guest conduct the professional Tucson Pops Orchestra in "Americana: Remember 9/11" at Reid Park's DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center, near South Country Club Road and East 22nd Street.
The concert kicks off with Aaron Copland's stirring "Fanfare for the Common Man," and includes "Salute to the Big Apple," a buoyant, sweeping medley arranged by Custer that references "Theme from New York, New York," "Forty-Second Street" and "Lullaby of Broadway," among New York-centered popular songs.
Also on the program are Ticheli's "An American Elegy," Irving Berlin's "A Symphonic Portrait" and "This Is My Country" by Don Raye and Al Jacobs, arranged by Roy Ringwald.
The concert will close with the fitting anthem "America the Beautiful."
"Americana" is the first of two "Music Under the Stars" concerts the Pops Orchestra will perform. The concert begins at 7 p.m. Admission is free but donations are accepted.
