"It's our way of giving something back to Maurita," said Choral Director Mallorie Chernin, who conducted Tam when she was in the choral society. "It was our way of helping the family."
President Tom Gerety read excerpts from what Tam had written about her family at the service. "I think the Amherst choir sang as beautifully as I have ever heard them," he said. "It was very tearful and a beautiful ceremony."
Tam's uncle, her mother's brother, was also killed in the attacks of Sept. 11. He was waiting for a bus outside the World Trade Center and was struck by flaming debris. The Tam family found him in a hospital on Wednesday, but he died of third-degree burns shortly thereafter.
"[Maurita's mother] said that she hopes her brother is watching over Maurita," said Chernin.
The service took place at a nondenominational chapel across from the United Nations building. Ten minutes after the service started, all of the seats were taken and only standing room remained.
Solomon Granor '04 was touched by the large number of people who turned out. "I guess that says something about Maurita," he said.
Tam sang for the choral society during her four years at Amherst, and toured with the Concert Choir this summer. The group that attended her service sang songs from that tour-Randall Thompson's "Alleluia," Lewis Levandowsky's "Enosh" and Zoltan Kodaly's "Esti Dal."
"I don't think I have ever had more difficulty just being able to sing than I did on Saturday," said Granor.
Ethan Katz '02 said a few words about Maurita, as did her high school choir director Holly Hall and her younger brother. Gerety called Hall's address "a passionate, passionate talk."
Mollie Stone '01 wrote "Maurita's Song" after her classmate was reported missing: "Beneath the sky / I can no longer hold you in my arms. / But with our voice we hold you-we hold your song."
"Probably the most amazing thing was how many people were there. You always forget how many lives one person touches. Maurita had a knack for that," said Kevin White '04, who sings with the concert choir.