One More Hour in "The Neighborhood" -- A Requiem for Mr. Rogers
A year ago, children's television icon Fred Rogers died of stomach cancer at age 74. Now his home city of Pittsburgh is honoring his life with a newly-composed hour of music for orchestra and choir.

"Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood" has been a staple of educational TV for over three decades. (Who doesn't remember that visit to the crayon factory?) Creator Fred Rogers opened every show with his trademark song ("Won't You Be My Neighbor") and welcomed children to a calm, familiar setting where they could learn about themselves, others and the world.

Music was a big part of the show, and helped convey his message of caring and self-esteem. (Recurring songs included "You are Special," "I'm taking Care of You," "I'm Still Myself Inside.")

Although repeats of PBS' longest-running show still air, Mr. Rogers himself is gone. A new orchestral and choral composition by 21-year-old Luke Mayernik, music director of St. Justin Church in Pittsburgh, will honor the man with 11 movements of music, interwoven with dramatic readings, poetry, and lyrics in English, Latin and Hebrew.

Mayernik wrote the work at the urging of parishioner Maggie Stewart, who played Mayor Maggie on the show, starting only a few months after Rogers' death.

The premiere will take place on February 29 at St. Justin Church, with the 25-piece Slippery Rock University orchestra joining the church's 65-member choir in celebration of his life.

Visit Mister Rogers' interactive online home

Explore the show at Mr. Rogers' company (Family Communications) site

Read CNN's obituary of Fred Rogers, from Feb. 27, 2003

Read a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article about the Requiem

Explore Slippery Rock University