Connections & Reflections no. 26: for the last three weeks, BCS musicians and Gerry Sousa have been hard at work practicing, singing, recording, and collaborating within the Bloomington and IU community to create a series of virtual holiday cards.
Beloved Bloomington Traditions
For over fifty years BCS has shared holiday musical offerings with the Bloomington community as part of our mission to provide excellence in performance, education, and community engagement. Seasonal activities have included singing at the Festival of Lights and the Holiday Market, caroling at area retirement facilities, and the annual Messiah Sing-Along, attended each year by hundreds of area singers.
This year, the restraints of the pandemic have challenged us to find new ways to brighten the holiday season. In collaboration with other local choirs and musicians, BCS is proud to present an online holiday playlist:
“Songs of Comfort and Joy” is a free and freely accessible playlist of musical videos, a virtual holiday card to the Bloomington Community from local-area choirs and musicians. The holiday playlist will be available on our website after December 15.
Caroling at an elementary school.
Musical offerings include carols and songs performed by BCS members along with contributions from local ensembles and organizations. Performers include: Quarryland Men’s Chorus, The Global Warblers, IU African American Choral Ensemble, Lady Lucks, Trinity Episcopal Choir, Faith Lutheran Choir, IU Trombone Choir, Southern Indiana Wind Ensemble, Bloomingsongs, and the St. Thomas Lutheran Church Choir. A virtual rendition of Handel’s "Hallelujah Chorus" (from Messiah) rounds out the offerings with traditional seasonal flair.
Videos of the songs and carols from BCS members have been arranged under the guidance of musical director, Dr. Gerald Sousa. Other area groups have prepared their own holiday offerings. Claire Tafoya, a member of BCS’ Board of Directors, has coordinated the project. "This has been a labor of love for BCS,” Tafoya notes. “We are truly thankful for the collaboration of the Bloomington musical community that partnered with us, and for our local sponsors. We hope this music brings as much joy to listeners as it did to us in the creative, design, and recording processes. Virtual Hallelujah Choruses are available in many places, but we hope you will especially enjoy singing along with our hometown version!"
