The voices of the Choir of the Basilica of St. John the Evangelist rose over the sounds of the Stamford Symphony as Eckart Preu led a moving performance of Mozart's Requiem this month. A large audience, including hundreds of members of the Haitian-American Community Center, gathered to remember the victims of Haiti's earthquake. Volunteers from throughout the Stamford community worked with the musicians to raise $24,607 for Hope for Haiti. The Grace J. Fippinger Foundation of Darien made a leadership donation of $10,000 to support the concert.

Hope for Haiti has been serving the poorest of the poor in Haiti for nearly 20 years. They were uniquely qualified to launch relief efforts in the earthquake's aftermath. Stamford's Paul Kuehner, CFO of Building & Land Technology, recently returned from a relief mission with Hope for Haiti. He updated the audience on the essential programs already underway. He committed 100% of the funds raised to the benefit of earthquake survivors directly.

"It was incredibly heart-warming to see varied constituencies from throughout Stamford work together to benefit our Haitian neighbors," said Symphony General Manager Elaine Carroll. "They produced this concert without spending a single dollar; every penny raised is on its way to Haiti."

The professional musicians of the Stamford Symphony and the Choir of the Basilica showed an outstanding commitment to the Stamford community by contributing their services. Numerous individuals and businesses provided in-kind support as well: The Basilica of St. John and its parishioners, John Anderson, Brooklyn Philharmonic, Bob Callahan Design, Daniel Haskins Percussion, Ferry Galbert, Sid Horowitz, Minuteman Press, Schilo Seventh Day Adventist Church, St. John's Lutheran Church, Stamford Center for the Arts, Dr. Roye Wates, WGCH Radio, WSHU Radio, and the Yale Institute of Sacred Music.

Several dignitaries attended the commemoration. Lt. Governor and Mrs. Michael Fedele, Judge Gerald and Ginny Fox (representing Congressman Jim Himes), Tom and Eileen Hynes (of the Grace J. Fippinger Foundation), State Senator Andrew McDonald, and Mayor and Mrs. Michael Pavia received a welcome to the Basilica by its Pastor, Monsignor Stephen DiGiovanni, and Father Jean-Rony Philippe, Chaplain of the Haitian-American Community Center.

The performance was also a parting gift of Scott Turkington, the Music Director of the Basilica, who recently received an appointment as Music Director of the cathedral of Charleston, SC. In addition to recruiting the soloists and preparing the choir, he sang with the choir during the concert.

The concert program featured a translation of Mozart's Requiem from Latin into Creole, French, and English. The Stamford Symphony commissioned the Creole translation specifically for this performance. Haitian native Gertha Laurent of White Plains undertook the Creole translation, which may be the first of its kind. The translators have generously donated the new translation for public use and it will be made available to other orchestras and choirs via the internet.