Performing Mozart’s Requiem at Northwest Folklife on Memorial Day is a Seattle Peace Chorus tradition that was started by Martha Cohen’s late husband, Jim Roe, initially to honor those killed in the Iraq war and fashioned after the rolling Requiem performed across the country after 9/11. It was performed on Memorial Day at the choral music stage that Jim ran at the Northwest Folklife Festival (and Martha has continued to run since). SPC performed Mozart’s Requiem in one of its Spring 2006 concerts, which is why the choir was initially chosen to host this sing-along.

Over the years, it has attracted singers from around the region and beyond, some of whom only come to Folklife to participate in this sing-along. We have had 150 people singing with us or in the audience! It’s a moving and thrilling experience. In recent years, we have dedicated it to anyone killed in wars, past or present, and names of those lost have been called out at the beginning.