Conductor Dedicates Concert to Step-Brother, Former Ambassador
By: Andrew Barra WMBD/WYZZ-TV
Updated: October 27, 2012
WASHINGTON - Nearly two months ago... A raid on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi killed Ambassador Christopher Stevens.
His step-brother Conductor David Commanday has been mourning the death ever since.
But tonight... As WMBD's Andrew Barra explains... He's now using music to help cope.
Conductor David Commanday gets ready for a concert that carries extra meaning.
Commanday says, " He found a place in my life. It's empty now."
David's step-brother Christopher Stevens was U.S. Ambassador to Libya, when protestors raided the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi in September.....Stephens was killed.
Commanday says, " I got up in the morning and turned the TV on. I was making coffee...out of the back of my head, I hear 'US Ambassador to Libya is killed.' A deep deep blow and incredible shock."
Commanday has been using music to help him through the grieving process.
He says, " The process of making music...I'm a musician, because i need to sing. It does help."
Saturday night's orchestra concert, conducted by Commanday, was dedicated to Stephens.
Whats even more fitting is they are playing Beethoven's HEROIC Symphony.
Commanday says, " Beethoven was an idealist. He believed deeply in the profound connection between all people and all nations, in equality, in liberty, and respect for fellow humanity. These are ideals in which Chris dedicated his life and career...and for which he gave his life."
Commanday hopes the concert isn't only a tribute to Stephens, but a way to help everyone else through this difficult time.
"Music, which celebrates and screams at the same time, helps us to begin what will become a long grieving but healing process, " Commanday says.
Stephens was U.S. Ambassador to Libya for only a few months.
He took the role back in June.
His step-brother Conductor David Commanday has been mourning the death ever since.
But tonight... As WMBD's Andrew Barra explains... He's now using music to help cope.
Conductor David Commanday gets ready for a concert that carries extra meaning.
Commanday says, " He found a place in my life. It's empty now."
David's step-brother Christopher Stevens was U.S. Ambassador to Libya, when protestors raided the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi in September.....Stephens was killed.
Commanday says, " I got up in the morning and turned the TV on. I was making coffee...out of the back of my head, I hear 'US Ambassador to Libya is killed.' A deep deep blow and incredible shock."
Commanday has been using music to help him through the grieving process.
He says, " The process of making music...I'm a musician, because i need to sing. It does help."
Saturday night's orchestra concert, conducted by Commanday, was dedicated to Stephens.
Whats even more fitting is they are playing Beethoven's HEROIC Symphony.
Commanday says, " Beethoven was an idealist. He believed deeply in the profound connection between all people and all nations, in equality, in liberty, and respect for fellow humanity. These are ideals in which Chris dedicated his life and career...and for which he gave his life."
Commanday hopes the concert isn't only a tribute to Stephens, but a way to help everyone else through this difficult time.
"Music, which celebrates and screams at the same time, helps us to begin what will become a long grieving but healing process, " Commanday says.
Stephens was U.S. Ambassador to Libya for only a few months.
He took the role back in June.
