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At a Jewish educators' conference in San Antonio this month, Birmingham singer Steve Dropkin and a 100-voice chorale performed his song, ''We All Stand Together,'' as 2,000 people stood arm-in-arm.

The music created a sense of unity and emotional focus in an uncertain world, Dropkin said. Just as people have turned to their faith traditions for solace, religious musicians can play a role in helping people deal with turmoil through anthems of faith and patriotism, he said.

''We shouldn't forget about the responsibility we have to teach the lessons of what happened to the world on Sept. 11,'' Dropkin said. ''The message of music lasts longer than any particular speech. I want the music to reach out and make me feel there's an element of hope.''

Shane Barnett of Altoona has been touring with Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore for about five years, singing patriotic songs while Moore gives speeches about the nation's religious heritage.

Barnett took a patriotic poem Moore wrote and set it to music. ''He would always finish his speeches with that poem and I would come up and sing a song,'' Barnett said. The song features children reciting the pledge of allegiance, which took on added appeal after a federal appellate court in San Francisco ruled the pledge unconstitutional this year.

Called ''One Nation Under God,'' the song draws strong audience responses. 'It's very heartfelt and heartwarming,'' said disc jockey Alecia Taylor, who has played the song on WJIA, 88.5 FM, in Guntersville.

Barnett will perform ''One Nation Under God'' and other songs at Lifeway Christian Store in Trussville on Sept. 7 from 6 to 8 p.m., and at memorial functions in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 11 and Oct. 12.

Barnett's album, called ''Freedom,'' has a song called ''Freedom Here'' on it. ''I'm focusing in on the spiritual battle we all face as Christians,'' Barnett said. But with the freedom theme and the song ''One Nation Under God,'' the recording resonates with a blend of spirituality and patriotism. ''It started taking on a meaning we didn't know it would have,'' Barnett said.

Dropkin will perform ''We All Stand Together'' and other songs with the Birmingham Jewish Folk Chorale and his wife, Temple Emanu-El Cantor Jessica Roskin, on Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. in the Levite Jewish Community Center auditorium. It's part of a program called ''Remembering, Healing and Forgiving: The Jewish Perspective on 9/11,'' that will include a panel discussion led by rabbis.

Dropkin's fourth album of original Jewish music, called ''Innerpeace,'' was written before Sept. 11, but was influenced by his response to the suicide bombings in Israel. The songs took on a deeper meaning after the terrorist attacks on America, he said.

''Freedom has been at tacked,'' Dropkin said. ''Now it seems the songs are starting to emerge that are full of the emotion from within, not just 'America the Beautiful.' I think it has opened up a whole new avenue for what we ask God to provide for us, which is strength.'' Music's role The spiritual role of music since Sept. 11 has been evident.

Frank Breeden, president of the Christian Music Trade Association, said last fall that sales of Christian music had spiked after Sept. 11. ''Once again our nation has turned to God during this time of national crisis,'' Breeden said. ''Christian music helps to express all the emotions that people are feeling right now, everything from the hope they are Musicians, Page 3H 1H seeking, the faith that they hold on to and the many questions that still linger.''

The association reported sales rose more than 13 percent in 2001. Sales of contemporary Christian and gospel albums sold a record 49,965,000 units, up about 6 million from 2000. Christian music sales in generalmarket stores such as Wal-Mart and Sam's were up about 13 percent in 2001, CMTA reported.

Rather than just repeatedly singing standard patriotic songs, Americans need new, inspired faith music, Dropkin said. Dropkin recently wrote a new song, ''Withstanding the Trend,'' that he hopes speaks to concerns about the direction of the world.

''I hope the music keeps coming,'' Dropkin said. ''Music is the elixir that will heal us.''