René Clausen

He also served as senior editor of Mark Foster Music Company and as interim conductor of the National Lutheran Choir of Minneapolis.

[3] René Clausen was born in Faribault, Minnesota, where his father served as organist for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and moved frequently as a child, also living in Iowa and California, where he was primarily raised.

In southern California during his late teenage years he first heard the St. Olaf Choir while it was on tour in the area, a significant formative experience for him.

[5] It is a composition for mixed chorus, orchestra and baritone solo, based on subject material, which reflects the horrific events of September 11, 2001, in New York City.

Though presented as one continuous movement, the composition follows a program that consists of four sub-sections - September Morning, The Premonition, The Attack, and Prayers & Petitions.