Connections and Reflections: from director Gerry Sousa

Connections and Reflections: from director Gerry Sousa

Fellow choral music lovers: Below is a heartfelt letter from our music director, Gerald Sousa. We hope this will be the first of a regular series of letters from us that will keep us in touch with you, our supporters. Please know that you are in our hearts and minds as we wait, watch, and hope for a return to sharing music together in real time. We'd love to hear from you, as well. (bcs@chambersingers.info)

Bloomington, Indiana

Dear Friends,

For over thirty years, nearly every Tuesday evening of our September to May concert season, I have looked forward to walking into rehearsal and sharing the evening with a group of bright, caring, and talented people. And then, suddenly …

Connecting with our supporters from afar

Connecting with our supporters from afar

Dear Friend of Bloomington Chamber Singers,

I hope this message finds you in good health. Because you are a special part of our musical community, we wanted to keep you posted on the latest news from BCS. Our rehearsals and performances have been postponed until it is safe to gather again. Experiencing choral music with others can be powerful and healing. We truly look forward to when we will be able to share this wonderful music with you again.

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Duruflé: Requiem & Poulenc: Stabat Mater

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Duruflé: Requiem & Poulenc: Stabat Mater

On Saturday evening, April 13, 2019, BCS presented two of the great French choral-orchestral works of the 20th century: Maurice Duruflé's Requiem, op. 9, and Francis Poulenc's Stabat Mater, FP 148.The Requiem, Duruflé’s longest and most substantial work, was composed in 1947 at the end of World War II. Like Fauré's Requiem, the work focuses not on hell and damnation, but instead on images of consolation in the face of loss. The chants of the Roman Catholic Missa pro defunctis (Requiem Mass) form the melodic basis of the work, ancient melodies enriched by gentle harmonies and tender orchestral colors. Duruflé explains: “This Requiem is not an ethereal work which sings of detachment from human concerns. It reflects, in the unchanging form of Christian prayer, the anguish of man faced with the mystery of his final end.

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Sale March 31—April 30

Here’s an environmentally friendly way to support BCS and beautify your garden! We have partnered with Dutch Mill Bulbs, Inc., a respected company located in Hershey, PA, to offer a selection of 18 popular spring-planting/summer-blooming flower bulbs and plants. The selections include Gladiolus, Lilies, Astilbe, Bleeding Hearts, Daylilies, and hanging basket kits – to name just a few.

Singers Needed

The Bloomington Chamber Singers is seeking additional members this semester, and announces an audition opportunity for experienced singers. We especially seek more altos, tenors, and basses. his spring's concert, on April 13 at 7:30 pm at St. Mark's United Methodist Church, will feature two twentieth-century choral works, both sung in Latin: Duruflé: Requiem and Poulenc: Stabat Mater.Singers should be available for rehearsals each Tuesday evening from 7 to 9:30 pm, with a few extra rehearsals as the concert approaches.Auditions will be held Tuesday, January 15 at Unitarian Universalist Church, 2120 North Fee Lane, from 5:30 to 6:30 pm. No appointments are necessary. Singers are encouraged to bring a prepared piece to sing, although that is not required; an accompanist will be provided.

"Music from the Sistine Chapel" concert: November 10, 2018

Bloomington's Community Access Television Services recorded our "Music from the Sistine Chapel" concert of Nov. 10, 2018. You can watch the entire concert for free on YouTube:

 

This is Miserere by Gregorio Allegri. The soloists are Abby Henkel (soprano 1), Claire Tafoya (soprano 2), Lisa Kurz (alto), and David Rohlfing and Ian Pottmeyer (bass). For the text, click here.

Auditions for new singers

Bloomington Chamber Singers will hold auditions for new singers for its 2018-2019 season Tuesday, August 28th and Tuesday, September 4th, from 5:30pm-7:00pm at the Universalist Unitarian Church, located at the corner of Fee Lane and the Bypass.

Detailed information about upcoming auditions, next season's repertoire, and online sign-up for audition dates and times, can be found here.

Openings are available in all sections.

Bach Feast III CATS recording clip

Bloomington's Community Access Television Services recorded our Bach Feast III concert of Apr. 15, 2018. Here is a small excerpt from that concert:

This is the final movement from the Cantata "Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben", BWV 147.The text is as follows: 

Jesus bleibet meine Freude,Meines Herzens Trost und Saft.Jesus wehret allem Leide,Er ist meines Lebens Kraft,Meiner Augen Lust und Sonne,Meiner Seele Schatz und Wonne;Darum lass ich Jesum nichtAus dem Herzen und Gesicht.
Jesus remains my joy,my heart’s comfort and sap.Jesus defends me against allsorrows,he is my life’s strength,my eyes’ delight and sunshine,my soul’s treasure and joy;therefore, I shall not let Jesusgofrom my heart and my sight.

Bach Feast II CATS recording clip

Bloomington's Community Access Television Services recorded our Bach Feast II concert of Feb. 17, 2018. Here is a small excerpt from that concert:

This is the first movement from the Cantata "Gott fähret auf mit Jauchzen", BWV 43.The text is as follows: 

Gott fähret aufmit Jauchzenund der Herrmit heller Posaunen.Lobsinget,lobsinget Gott!Lobsinget, lobsingetunserm Könige!
God is gone upwith jubilation,and the Lordwith ringing trumpets.Sing praises,sing praises to God!Sing praises, sing praisesto our King!

Bach Feast I CATS recording clip

Bloomington's Community Access Television Services recorded our Bach Feast I concert of Dec. 3, 2017. Here is a small excerpt from that concert:

This is the first movement from the Cantata "Sie werden aus Saba alle kommen", BWV 65.The text is as follows: 

Sie werdenaus Saba alle kommen,Gold und Weihrauch bringen,und des Herren Lob verkündigen.
They will allcome out of Shebabringing gold and incense,proclaiming the praisesof the Lord.

Feast on Bach! Feast I

This season, BCS will present "Feast on Bach," a special series of concerts that draw from the great festival cantatas Bach composed for the major feast days of the liturgical year. J.S. Bach spent a great part of his creative life as the Kantor at the Thomaskirche in Leipzig, where one of his main responsibilities was to provide music for the services at the church, both on Sundays and on special feast days. Bach wrote hundreds of cantatas during his tenure as Kantor; of these approximately 225 survive today. Taken as a whole, they represent a remarkable diversity of expression and profound insight into the theological depths that Bach explored in his efforts to bring to his congregation an understanding of the Biblical texts that formed the foundations of the services.

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Messiah Sing-Along: Part 1

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On Sunday, December 16th, 2018 at 3pm at St. Mark's United Methodist Church in Bloomington, the Bloomington Chamber Singers will continue its annual tradition of hosting a reading of Part One of Handel's beloved oratorio, Messiah. This annual free Bloomington Christmas event draws hundreds of area singers (and listeners) who come together to experience Handel's remarkable music.  The reading concludes with the “Hallelujah” chorus. BCS Music Director and Conductor Gerald Sousa will lead the combined singers.Messiah is well loved not just as sacred music, but for its challenging choruses and beautiful solos. Singers of all levels and backgrounds come together each year for this wintertime tradition. Beyond the "Hallelujah” chorus, beloved movements include “Comfort Ye, My People,” “And He Shall Purify,” “Glory to God,” and many more. Attendees are welcome to sing along or simply listen to the choruses and arias, and enjoy recitatives performed by members of the Bloomington Chamber Singers.Admission is free, but attendees are asked to please bring a canned good to contribute towards a local food bank donation.  Singers,  if you have your own Messiah score, please bring it to use.  A limited number will be available for purchase or loan. 

Feast on Bach! Feast II

This season, BCS will present "Feast on Bach," a special series of concerts that draw from the great festival cantatas Bach composed for the major feast days of the liturgical year. J.S. Bach spent a great part of his creative life as the Kantor at the Thomaskirche in Leipzig, where one of his main responsibilities was to provide music for the services at the church, both on Sundays and on special feast days. Bach wrote hundreds of cantatas during his tenure as Kantor; of these approximately 225 survive today. Taken as a whole, they represent a remarkable diversity of expression and profound insight into the theological depths that Bach explored in his efforts to bring to his congregation an understanding of the Biblical texts that formed the foundations of the services.

Spring Messiah Sing

For over 30 years BCS has hosted a Sing-along of Handel's Messiah during the holidays, an event that draws hundreds of singers and listeners from throughout the region. Last year we added a second Sing-along of Parts 2 and 3 of Messiah during the Lenten season, and we will continue that tradition this year.We invite everyone to come out and participate in this FREE event. Monetary donations will be accepted for Community Kitchen of Monroe County. Singers should bring their own scores; a limited number will be available for purchase or loan at the door.   Everyone who wishes to sing can join us for the many choruses;  soloists chosen from BCS will sing the recitatives and the arias.So come out and sing, or come and listen as we continue to build a new community tradition--a Spring Messiah Sing.Here is the program booklet for our Sing-along: Messiah Spring 2018 program

Feast on Bach! Feast III

This season, BCS is presenting "Feast on Bach," a special series of concerts that draw from the great festival cantatas Bach composed for the major feast days of the liturgical year. J.S. Bach spent a great part of his creative life as the Kantor at the Thomaskirche in Leipzig, where one of his main responsibilities was to provide music for the services at the church, both on Sundays and on special feast days. Bach wrote hundreds of cantatas during his tenure as Kantor; of these approximately 225 survive today. Taken as a whole, they represent a remarkable diversity of expression and profound insight into the theological depths that Bach explored in his efforts to bring to his congregation an understanding of the Biblical texts that formed the foundations of the services. The scoring for these cantatas is as rich and varied as the subject matter: prominent throughout are high Baroque trumpets, a unique variety of expressive wind instruments including the lesser known and plaintive oboe d'amore and oboe da'caccia. The choruses of the cantatas are among Bach's finest writing, and the solo writing ranges the gamut from brilliant coloratura to achingly introspective.This year we are taking a chronological journey through the Lutheran church year in a series of 3 concerts that feature some of Bach's greatest examples in this genre.Feast III: Cantatas of Pentecost, Saints, and Reformation will conclude the series on April 15th, 2018 with these cantatas:

  • O ewiges Feuer, o Ursprung der Liebe, BWV 34
  • Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV 147
  • Es erhub sich ein Streit, BWV 19
  • Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott, BWV 80

Here is the program booklet for our concert: Feast III Program.

You can find a short clip of our concert here.

Auditions for our 2017-2018 season

Bloomington Chamber Singers will hold auditions for its 2017-2018 season Tuesday, September 5th and Tuesday, September 12th, from 5:30pm-7:00pm at the Universalist Unitarian Church, located at the corner of Fee Lane and the Bypass.

For detailed information about upcoming auditions, next season's repertoire, and online sign-up for audition dates and times, click here.

For more information, feel free to contact Gerry Sousa, the group's Music Director, at gerry@gsousa.com.

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Messiah Sing-Along: Parts 2 & 3

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The BCS presents another Messiah Sing-Along, this one covering the sections of Messiah that deal with the Passion and Redemption of Christ (Parts 2 and 3).The Sing-Along will take place at St. Mark's United Methodist Church at 3:00pm Sunday, March 31st, 2019. BCS Music Director Gerald Sousa will conduct.We invite everyone to come out and participate in this FREE event. Monetary and nonperishable food donations to the Community Kitchen of Monroe County will be accepted.Singers should bring their own scores; a limited number will be available for purchase or loan at the door. Everyone who wishes to sing can join us for the many choruses; soloists chosen from the BCS will sing the recitatives and the arias.So come out and sing, or come and listen as we continue this new community tradition--our Lenten Messiah Sing.

Serenades on a Clear Night

Several nineteenth-century composers presented their vocal and chamber works not in expansive concert halls, but in private salons and parlors. The Schubertiades, a series of intimate house concerts featuring the evocative music of Franz Schubert, were the forerunners of today’s cherished song recitals. A young Felix Mendelssohn regularly entertained a host of fashionable guests in his family’s Berlin salon through his elegant chamber compositions and his prodigious performance skills. Johannes Brahms, in a letter to his publisher, indicated that both his Liebeslieder and Neue Liebeslieder were suitable for Schubertiade-like house concerts.

God Bless Us, Everyone

“God Bless Us, Everyone” centered around a 'story theater' production of Charles Dickens’ immortal A Christmas Carol. The short story was presented in an adapted format: Charles Dickens was present to narrate his tale, and was accompanied by a group of actor-readers representing Bob Cratchit; Tiny Tim; the Ghosts of Christmases Past, Present, and Future; and, of course, the irascible Ebenezer Scrooge.Throughout the reading of the story, the hustle and bustle of Christmas was provided by the Chamber Singers and a full orchestra who offered a wide variety of popular carols, arranged or penned by the renowned group of composers associated with the remarkable Choir of King’s College, Cambridge: John Rutter, David Willcocks, and Bob Chilcott.

Auditions for our 2016-2017 season

Bloomington Chamber Singers will hold auditions for its 2016-2017 season Tuesday, August 30th and Tuesday, September 6th, from 5:30pm-7:00pm at the Universalist Unitarian Church, located at the corner of Fee Lane and the Bypass. Interested singers should have demonstrated experience in choral groups, have sung repertoire in a variety of languages in addition to English (typically Latin, German, and/or French), be able to follow a choral score, and be able to read a simple chorale or hymn. In addition, singers should be familiar with the basics of vocal production and techniques of singing in a choral ensemble. Singers are encouraged to bring a prepared piece to sing, although that is not required; an accompanist will be provided.For more information, feel free to contact Gerry Sousa, the group's Music Director, at gerry@gsousa.com.2016-2017 Audition Announcement

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Bloomington Chamber Singers
bcs@chambersingers.info