It’s All About the Harmony
Why does a person come to need—even crave—the choral experience?
In my case, it’s all about the harmony.
I was born into a musical family. Grandpa had been a vaudeville pianist, and Mom was a singer. …
Connections & Reflections: Claire Tafoya
Differences Between Singing and Horn Playing
Dear friends, singers, patrons, and alums:
It has been a wonderful experience to coordinate the C&R series. I have truly enjoyed reading and savoring our writers’ contributions and sharing them with you.
My first BCS concert in the fall of 2016 was directed by assistant conductor Greg Geehern; behind the scenes, Gerry Sousa was busy preparing the collaborative holiday concert to follow. Having come from a Catholic church choir, I had sung only English and Latin text, and was initially overwhelmed by the steep learning curve of the 100-percent German program of Brahms, Schubert, and Mendelssohn. …
Connections & Reflections: Kathy Allen
People Who Care About Getting it Right
My experience with BCS came at a later time in my life, a time of my return to Bloomington upon retirement. I had music experience, training from an early age, and spent many years in what is now called the Jacobs School of Music. However, returning to Bloomington was somewhat daunting to me. This was a school and a town where my music career was shaped. What would people think of my talents now?
Connections & Reflections: Tim Jessen
A Memorable Audition Day
Elma and I arrived in Indiana in the summer of 2001. Though we had been in community (and church!) choirs in three communities, we figured Bloomington would not “need” one. We knew of the great IU School of Music and were attracted by the many musical activities available at IU. We heard about the 4th Street Arts and Crafts Festival and attended it over Labor Day weekend. There we were introduced to BCS by joyful members and encouraged to try out. Auditions were being held on September 11, 2001.
Connections & Reflections: Elizabeth McKillip
Seeking A Musical Oasis
I have been singing with BCS since my husband and I moved to Bloomington in 2015. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Music Education, so as you can probably imagine, singing has always been a huge part of my life. I knew that I needed to get connected with a choir as soon as possible after our move. Jan Allen, BCS soprano, found me at the Fourth Street Festival of the Arts and Crafts, and the rest is history.
During the past 6 months, trying to find a musical outlet has been like searching for an oasis in the middle of a desert.
Connections & Reflections: Jason Wadsworth
"I Believe in You!"
Greetings, my fellow musicians and arts patrons! I hope this letter finds you all safe and in good health as life in the pandemic trudges along. These times have been very difficult with no Tuesday rehearsals to look forward to, no performances, and no social fellowship.
My own musical journey began when I was eight years old, …
Connections & Reflections: Sandy Dolby
Singing Stories
I am pleased to have this opportunity to share a blog document with BCS folks. I’ve enjoyed the posts so far. They are especially welcome now while so many things are unsettled.
My first choir-like experience was with my family. Picture a family of seven driving to visit relatives and singing Christmas carols all the way. We each had our favorites. I think I can still sing one or two verses of most carols yet today. It was fun.
Connections & Reflections: Pat Slabach
Wonderful and Daunting
When I moved back to Bloomington and looked for a classical choral ensemble to sing with, I checked out the Bloomington Chamber Singers. The Music Director, Dr. Gerry Sousa, was very welcoming and offered me a chance to audition. I was a voice major in college and also had sung previously with the Indianapolis Arts Chorale under the direction of Eric Stark.
My audition was a comedy of errors …
Dutch Mill Bulbs Sale
Now through September 12, 2020
Here’s an environmentally friendly way to support BCS and beautify your spring garden! We have partnered with Dutch Mill Bulbs again to offer 18 popular fall-planting, spring-blooming flower bulbs. Details about the flowers are in this brochure.
All the selections are reasonably priced at $10.00 each, except for a large assortment called "The Works," for $30.00 (available only via the order form). BCS will earn 50% of each purchase, which will support the purchase of choral risers.
Two ways to purchase:
1. Download order form HERE. Send completed order form and check payable to Bloomington Chamber Singers to P.O. Box 3256, Bloomington, IN 47402. Orders will be accepted until September 12, and the plants will be mailed to BCS shortly after that. We will contact you when they arrive to arrange for delivery.
2. Order directly online HERE. For an additional shipping charge, order directly from the Dutch Mill Bulbs website. Shipped directly to you, BCS will still earn a percentage of purchase.
New to gardening? Here is a planting guide. Thank you for supporting us, and for creating beauty in your corner of the world.
Connections & Reflections: Martha Lhamon
A Unique Perspective
When David Grindle invited me to play principal cello in the 2008 BCS performance of the Brahms' Requiem, I jumped at the chance. We had moved to town recently, and I was trying to figure out how to navigate the Bloomington classical music scene, dominated as it was (and still is) by terrific Jacobs IU players. Not knowing what to expect, I attended my first rehearsal at the Unitarian Universalist Church with Julie Grindle conducting. All went fine and I looked forward to the week's rehearsals and the concert.
Connections & Reflections: Abby Henkel
Serving Others with Music
The first funeral I sang was for a friend’s grandmother. The singer for the small-town church needed to step down at the last minute, and I was asked to come the next morning to sing Schubert’s famous setting of Ave Maria.
As the organist played the introduction while I stood at the pulpit, I took a look around the room. This was not an audience I was singing for, but a gathering of a hundred mourners remembering the long life of a remarkable woman.
Connections & Reflections: The Board
BCS Connections & Reflections no. 9: Last week, Gerry Sousa and the BCS Board made a video of live, spoken updates, along with music, for all the BCS singers. This email contains notes from that video and will reveal the behind-the-scenes strength and dedication of the BCS board, along with Gerry’s plans for fall choral activities that will respond to our yearning to reconnect with each other and with you, through choral music.
We welcome input, questions, and ideas from all of you who read this email. Thanks!
An Extended Intermission …
Gerry Sousa, Music Director:
It’s been four months since our last rehearsal with its energy and drumming. We know now that we’re in for a far longer haul than we first anticipated. We don’t know how long the current restrictions will last. We do know that our overriding concerns are for health, safety, and caution. These concerns guided us in our initial decisions in mid-March, and they will continue to guide us in the uncertain times ahead. We have been following the recommendations from the medical community as well as our professional affiliated organizations and will stay in contact as things evolve. For BCS, this is going to be an extended “intermission.”
Connections & Reflections: Tom Gregory
Elijah and Me on a Balmy Key West Evening
Our performance of Mendelssohn’s Elijah on March 3, 2007 was particularly memorable for me for four reasons. First, it was a great performance. I even encouraged Gerry to submit it for airing on NPR’s Performance Today. (I don’t believe he did, however.) We had top-notch soloists, commanded by Tim Noble in the title role. And we had a solid, contracted orchestra that provided a secure foundation for both the soloists and the chorus.
Diversity Statement
The past few months have been difficult for all of us. We truly miss not being able to sing together and perform for you. As you know, choirs are especially vulnerable to spreading COVID-19, so we are discussing alternative ways to safely rehearse that would enable us to prepare for eventual performances.
In these times of uncertainty in our nation and throughout the world, we are also shaken by current events. We stand with other arts organizations in the U.S. and worldwide to affirm our continued commitment to social justice and diversity, as stated below:
Bloomington Chamber Singers affirms our commitment to social justice.
Throughout our history, Bloomington Chamber Singers has performed music that enlightens the soul and transforms lives. We believe that music can be a powerful platform for social change. Our members share a deep sense of pride, passion, and belonging that honors a diverse tapestry, and are unified in our shared commitment to excellence, integrity, and inclusion.
We will not be silent and will listen to the voices of the oppressed. We will not be silent and will sing music that helps to transform the human spirit, expand awareness, and pursue a vision of justice for people of all races, cultures, sexual orientations, and gender identities.
Never our despair,
Never the least of us,
Never turn away,
Never hide your face;
Ordinary boy,
only all of us,
Free us from our fear.
Browne and Johnson, "All of Us"
Considering Matthew Shepard
© 2016 Booker Music
Keep listening with us.
Bloomington Chamber Singers Board of Directors:
Patricia Slabach, Lisa Kurz, David Rohlfing, Justin Ahmann, Carole MacKay, Jan Allen, Bernadette Zoss, Claire Tafoya, Abigail Gschwend-Harris
Music Director and Assistants:
Gerry Sousa (Director), Paul Pisano, Abby Henkel
Connections & Reflections: David Esarey
Singing is not my whole life, but it makes my life whole
I have a shirt that says, “Singing is not my whole life, but it makes my life whole.” That is a very true statement to me. As a physician, I spend my day with science and facts. Music is a necessary break from that. It recharges me and keeps my life from becoming too one-sided.
Connections & Reflections: Carl Lenthe
Practicing musicology without a license
Greetings, one and all!
I miss singing with BCS! So many areas of life took unexpected turns as we went into seclusion in March. Beyond losing our weekly BCS singing, one of many other such areas was my low-brass orchestra repertoire class—in which I normally act as a playing coach leading sectional rehearsals. Just as we went into distance-teaching mode, I had occasion to reacquaint myself with the Brahms Requiem—a work I have always found inspiring, edifying, uplifting, and comforting. And so, I did a short series of YouTube lectures on it, from the perspective of the trombone section. I enjoyed delving into the work anew, recalling many great performances over the years.
Connections & Reflections: Ronte' Hardy
This is the fifth installment of BCS Connections & Reflections, a series of short notes, essays, and musical offerings from us to you, our supporters. Ronte’ Hardy, a baritone and active member of BCS since 2019, shares his thoughts below.
Ronte’, you have a bachelor’s degree in music. Who was your first musical influence?
I grew up singing in church. It wasn’t until middle school that I started to sing classical choir music. I fell in love with it and eventually found myself studying music at Florida State University. Some musical influences of mine were Beyoncé and Dr. André J. Thomas.
Connections & Reflections: Abigail Gschwend-Harris
This is the fourth installment of BCS Connections & Reflections, a series of short notes, essays, and musical offerings from us to you, our supporters. Abigail Gschwend-Harris, a member of our alto section for three years and a board member, wrote this reflection below.
What is your musical background, and what led you to join BCS initially?
In 2016, I graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Tulsa. My favorite musical activity was performing as a collaborative pianist — specifically, accompanying vocal music and working with choirs, small ensembles, opera, or soloists. I accompanied many singers and groups in a variety of musical styles, and as a result, I picked up a great deal of knowledge about the voice and singing techniques. When I moved to Bloomington in 2017, my partner, Josh, wanted to join a choir, and I decided it was time for me, the choral pianist, to try my hand at becoming a choral singer. I remember enthusiastically picking out a short song by Grieg for my audition, and how excited I was when Josh and I were both accepted as singers into BCS. Little did I know the huge role BCS would play in my life in the years to come as I later got more involved by joining the Board of Directors.
Connections & Reflections: Lisa Kurz, alto & board member
Sustenance for the soul
by Lisa Kurz
I’ve been a singing member of the BCS and a member of the Board of Directors for nearly 30 years. A longtime friend once asked me why I’ve continued to sing with the group for all these years. “I’m tired at the end of the day,” he said, “and when I get home from work, all I want to do is to sit in my comfy chair, with a glass of beer at my elbow, and watch TV. How can you get up and leave all that to go to a rehearsal?” I understand the feeling: I’m tired too at the end of a long workday. But, as I explained to my friend, singing sustains me. It’s like eating my favorite food. If I’m hungry and someone offers me something delicious to eat, I’m not going to grumble about it or ponder whether I should eat it. I’m just going to dive in. Singing is like that for me—it delights and nourishes me.
Connections and Reflections: Bernie Zoss, alto and board member
This is the second installment of BCS Connections & Reflections, a series of short notes, essays, and musical offerings from us to you, our supporters. Bernie Zoss, member of our alto section since 2003 and a devoted board member, wrote this reflection below.
The best-laid plans…
As a member of the BCS board, I had the pleasure of helping plan the celebration of our 50th anniversary, an effort that started 18 months ago with countless meetings and reached a crescendo with a gala event this past September.
