....filled the room with energy

By Gabi Mathews, Section Leader - Concert Choir

At the first concert of the season, I was crammed onto risers in Jordan Hall. With six choirs and a special guest singer, the concert promised to be amazing. I've been a member of BCC for 5 years now and the thrill of performing always hits me right before a concert. Something about the conductor's smile and the way the music comes together with ease-- at least hopefully it does.

I spent so much time preparing with Concert Choir on our pieces that hearing PC, YME & the intermediate choirs was a bit of a shock. I was really impressed with the tone of BCC's new choir, Central Intermediate Advanced.

Originally I thought the BCC anthem “We Sing” was another Jim Papoulis piece but the leader of the discussion panel following the show spoke so highly of the song (especially the lyrics "we sing the hope of tomorrow/our time/this is our call") and it made me view the song differently. At the end of the panel, encore of the BCC anthem, everyone was clapping and singing together. It filled the room with energy; I teared up a little. It embodied the community BCC has been building for the past 10 year.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

The season is ON!

SEASON IS OPEN! A sterling start to the season came on Sunday, November 4th at Jordan Hall as 6 of the 12 choirs turned out in force to give us rousing renditions of Old American Songs. Joining the singers on stage was the New England Patriots' safety Patrick Chung for his solo debut. Although highly accomplished on the field of play, Patrick also comes from a musical heritage, with his mother being a top Jamaican reggae artist in the 1980s. The Boatmen’s Dance was the song that provided his singing debut, and he dovetailed beautifully with the Young Men's Ensemble.

Jordan Hall was almost 2/3 full on this special Sunday - opening a milestone season. The set included:

Old American Songs Set 1 and 2 Aaron Copland Simple Gifts (Concert Choir) The Dodger (Premier Choir/Young Men’s Ensemble) The Golden Willow Tree (Central Intermediate Advanced) The Boatmen’s Dance (Young Men’s Ensemble) Long Time Ago (Premier Choir/Young Men’s Ensemble) I Bought Me A Cat (Intermediate Choir) At the River (Premier Choir/Young Men’s Ensemble) Ching-A-Ring Chaw (Premier Choir/Concert Choir) The Little Horses (Intermediate Choirs) Zion’s Walls (All Choirs)

The season-opener also featured the concert debut of "We Sing," the new BCC anthem to be performed by everyone at BCC concerts now. It is the birth of a new BCC tradition. The season rushes forward with the All-Choir Holiday concert- this time at a new venue - Cathedral of the Holy Cross in the South End. A hot, hot holiday ticket, this concert sells out fast. Tickets are on sale now so be sure to make your purchase early.