9/11 Charity Concert To Honor Hero, Offer World-Class Music

Today, Nyack—along with several other municipalities in Rockland—is hosting memorial services to honor residents, friends and family members who passed in the attacks.

For the ninth consecutive year, Nyack's Grace Episcopal Church will host the "Concert for Remembrance," a musical spectacle put on in memory of victims. It will be held this evening at 5 p.m.

The performance is free, but concert-goers can donate to the Welles Remy Crowther Charitable Trust, which orchestrated the event. The Welles Remy Crowther Charitable Trust is a non-profit run by Alison and Jeff Crowther, who began the charity in honor of their son, Welles Crowther. Welles Crowther died in the attacks while rescuing several victims.

Welles Crowther graduated from Nyack High School in 1995 and received a degree in Economics from Boston College.

Crowther was also a firefighter with Upper Nyack's Empire Hook & Ladder Co., No. 1, and worked with an investment banking firm in the towers when the September 11 attacks took place. Crowther opted to stay amid the destruction and aid those in need. Eyewitnesses related a man in a red bandanna directed and carried several individuals to safety—the man was later identified as Crowther. 

Among the performers slated for the concert: professional musicians from American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, Metropolitan Opera, New York Philharmonic, Rockland Symphony and many others.

(See the full program—in PDF form—to the right.)

"As always, the free admission concert will be a beautiful gift to the community from the many fine professional musicians who volunteer their time for the concert," Alison Crowther said.

The concert will also features several solo performances, a piece played by Alison Crowther and a rendition of "Amazing Grace," which played at firefighter memorial services.

For information about the Welles Remy Crowther Charitable Trust, visit their website.