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Schools

LZHS Remembers 9/11 Through Benefit Concert

More than 250 Lake Zurich High School students will perform for the community, remembering the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

will recognize the 10th anniversary of 9/11 by holding a concert called “In Remembrance.”

More than 200 students from all the choirs at will participate in the 75-minute program, along with 50 students from the wind ensemble.

“We will be playing a lot of patriotic music,” said Nick Juknelis, director of vocal music at . “It will be more of an uplifting program.”

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Jan Horvath, an Illinois native and well-known Broadway singer, will make a guest appearance, singing a few of her original songs, including Immigrants’ Anthem.

“Jan was in New York when 9/11 happened and she will share her experience with the audience,” said Juknelis. “She’ll explain what life was like in New York City that day.”

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Horvath has performed in the Broadway productions Phantom of the Opera, The Threepenny Opera, Sweet Charity, Oliver, Stardust and Cats.

Juknelis will also share how 9/11 affected him, and Principal Kim Kolze will share the story of a relative who was in the throes of the tragedy.

Students have been practicing since school started in August, but Juknelis started preparing them ahead of time, having them learn and practice some of the songs last year. As part of preparation for the concert, Juknelis has been discussing 9/11 with the students and the impact it had on society.

“This tragedy wasn’t a part of their generation — they don’t know what it’s like to pick up grandma and grandpa from the gate at the airport or to leave your shoes on as you walk through security,” said Juknelis. “We’ve been explaining to them how it has changed American life and the impact they are going to have on the people coming to the concert.”

According to Jukelis the concert is intended to touch on four parts:

  1. Recognize our troops and veterans;
  2. Remember those who lost their lives in the 9/11 tragedy;
  3. Acknowledge the cities that were affected by the tragedy;
  4. And honor the human spirit.

The concert will be held Sunday, Sept. 11, in the Performing Arts Center. The public is invited to come on a first-come, first-seated basis to one of the two shows at 1 p.m. or 3:30 p.m.

Admission is free, but donations will be accepted. All donations will go to the Michael Lynch Memorial Foundation. It provides grants to children of firefighters and other victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks to afford higher education.

For more information, go to www.lz95.org.

Editor's note: The Michael Lynch Memorial Foundation could be the recipient of even more money in coming weeks. The singing group Bare Voices has pledged to donate its prize winnings should it win the Sing! competition at Deer Park Town Center. The semifinals are slated for Sept. 17 and 24. The winning vocal group will win a Grand Prize package: $20,000 for the charity of their choice. Bare Voices will donate its winnings to the Michael Lynch Memorial Foundation should the group win. For more information about Sing!, visit www.deerparktowncenter.2011sing.com.

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