Dec
8
3:00 PM15:00

Messiah Sing, Part 1

  • St Mark's United Methodist Church (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Bloomington Chamber Singers is excited to continue their tradition of the community Messiah Sing-Along. This much-anticipated event is free and open to the public. Bring your copy of Handel’s Messiah (a limited number of loaner copies will be available) and sing side-by-side with The Bloomington Chamber Singers. The performance will be accompanied by a chamber orchestra. Just want to listen? Come along and enjoy Part One of Messiah with the addition of “The Hallelujah Chorus” as a wonderful way to usher in the holiday season.

Bloomington Chamber Singers is teaming up with Hoosier Hills Food Bank as a donation site for this concert. The chorus will be accepting donations of nonperishable food items to help support the mission of the food bank. The sing-along will be under the direction of guest conductor Betsy Burleigh. You are invited to lift your voice and join together with The Bloomington Chamber Singers to create this truly awe-inspiring holiday performance.

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English Choral Masters
Nov
2
7:30 PM19:30

English Choral Masters

Bloomington Chamber Singers is pleased to announce their Fall 2024 concert, English Choral Masters. Spanning the ages from William Byrd’s 16th Century Mass for Four Voices to Paul Mealor’s setting of Lord Byron’s She Walks in Beauty, the listener is sure to find pieces which enchant, entertain, and inspire. Benjamin Britten’s Rejoice in the Lamb will bring images both dark and brooding as well as ecstatically joyful in this setting of Christopher Smart’s captivating poetry. Rounding out the evening, the audience will be treated to a virtual smorgasbord of English delights with Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Five English Folk Songs. All are invited to this evening of English choral music under the direction of special guest conductor Carolann Buff, Saturday, November 2nd, 2024. The performance at First Presbyterian Church, 221 E 6th Street, Bloomington will begin at 7:30 pm.

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Apr
27
7:30 PM19:30

Lux: A Concert Exploring the Wonder of Light

Lux: A Concert Exploring the Wonder of Light is the next presentation of the Bloomington Chamber Singers for the 2023-24 season. Lux or light conjures diverse visions. Running the gamut from Morten Lauridsen’s Lux Aeterna (eternal light) to Dolly Parton’s Light of a Clear Blue Morning (hopeful light), the vocal images of light will weave together to provide the listener a variety of aural delight. Visions of summer fireflies (Julia Klatt Singer’s soft blink of amber light) and a Renaissance homage to Christ, the eternal light, (Thomas Tallis’ O nata lux de lumine) provide a range of musical styles that will delight patrons both young and old. Light, ancient and modern, merges with music, ancient and modern, to bring a new sense of wonder and energy to all who hear.

Music Director Gerald Sousa will conduct the 40-voice BCS chorus and the accompanying chamber orchestra. The concert will be presented at Christ Community Church, 503 S. High St., Bloomington on Saturday April 27th at 7:30 pm. In-person tickets are available either through pre-sale or at the door. Both in-person and live-stream options are available. General admission, adult tickets as well as the live-stream option are $30. Student tickets are also offered at $20.

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Mar
24
3:00 PM15:00

Messiah Sing: Parts 2 & 3

Bloomington Chamber Singers is excited to continue its Messiah sing-along tradition. This FREE event draws hundreds of area singers (and listeners) who come together to sing Parts Two and Three of Handel’s beloved oratorio, Messiah. The singers and orchestra will be led by BCS Artistic Director Dr. Gerald Sousa.

Messiah is well loved not just as sacred music, but for its challenging choruses and beautiful solos. Attendees are welcome to sing along regardless of skill level, or simply listen to the choruses, and enjoy recitatives and arias performed by members of the Bloomington Chamber Singers.

Admission is free. BCS invites attendees to bring a nonperishable food item for donation to a local food pantry. A limited number of scores will be available to borrow, but attendees are encouraged to bring their own.

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Feb
3
7:30 PM19:30

Brahms Liebeslieder and Neue Liebeslieder

Bloomington Chamber Singers will take the stage of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church to perform Johannes Brahms’ beautiful Liebeslieder and Neue Liebeslieder, helping to set the mood for the upcoming Valentine’s Day Holiday. The Liebeslieder Waltzes are a collection of love songs in Ländler style for voices and piano four hands. The lyrics for the Liebeslieder come from Georg Friedrich Daumier’s Polydora, a collection of folk songs and love poems. The waltzes consist of two opus numbers: Op. 52 (Liebeslieder) and Op. 65 (Neue Liebeslieder).  The design of the pieces is for them to be light, unpretentious, and provide the listener with a musical delight of a few of the many aspects of love.

The concert, conducted by assistant conductor, Caio Guimarães, will be presented at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 100 N. State Rd. 46, Bloomington. The concert will begin at 7:30 pm.

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Dec
17
3:00 PM15:00

Messiah Sing: Part 1

Bloomington Chamber Singers is delighted to resume its annual Christmas Messiah sing-along. This FREE Bloomington holiday tradition draws hundreds of area singers (and listeners) who come together to sing Part One and the “Hallelujah Chorus” of Handel’s beloved oratorio, Messiah. The singers and orchestra will be led by BCS Artistic Director Dr. Gerald Sousa.

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. A livestream of the event will be available. A link will be added to our home page when it becomes available.

Admission is free. BCS invites attendees to bring a nonperishable food item for donation to a local food pantry. A limited number of scores will be available to borrow, but attendees are encouraged to bring their own.

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Oct
22
7:30 PM19:30

Bach Magnificat and Vivaldi Gloria

  • St Mark's United Methodist Church (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Bloomington Chamber Singers will open their 54 th season with an evening of Bach and Vivaldi, featuring the full chorus, an orchestra, and a variety of soloists to bring these exquisite compositions to life. This powerful and moving concert will be presented Sunday, October 22, 2023, in the sanctuary of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church at 7:30 pm.

The concert will open with Bach’s Magnificat in D Major, BWV 243. A masterful example of Baroque music, it is characterized by its intricate counterpoint, rich harmonies, and expressive choral writing. The work consists of twelve movements, each varying in mood and musical texture.

Rounding out the evening will be Vivaldi’s Gloria in D Major, RV 589. With its roots in the Catholic Mass, the overarching theme of the Gloria is one of exultation and praise. The piece expresses reverence and adoration for God through music, capturing the spirit of devotion and celebration. It has remained a beloved work in the choral and classical music repertoire, cherished for its beauty and expressive power.

General Admission: $25

Student Admission: $20

Livestream: $25

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The Promise of Living: A Celebration of Hope and Resilience
Mar
25
7:30 PM19:30

The Promise of Living: A Celebration of Hope and Resilience

  • Venue: Christ Community Church of Bloomington (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Bloomington Chamber Singers is committed to building bridges within our community, and to supporting tolerance, equality, and diversity in all its myriad forms. To that end, we are excited to present The Promise of Living as our spring concert. This event will be a multimedia collaboration with the IU African American Choral Ensemble, Voces Novae, and the Boys & Girls Club’s student artists, and will emphasize inclusion, equity, diversity, and justice. Presented as a celebration and a showcase of the rich variety of offerings in our area, the evening will emphasize how we can learn and grow through sharing with each other. Hosted by Sylvia McNair and Marietta Simpson.

Venue: Christ Community Church (503 S. High St., Bloomington, IN)

Livestream Recording

Recording of Livestream is HERE
Program is HERE

 

Artistic Partners

Sponsors

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A Ceremony of Carols: Songs of the Season
Dec
11
3:00 PM15:00

A Ceremony of Carols: Songs of the Season

  • St. Mark's United Methodist Church (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

This year we continue BCS’s winter offering with a reprise of last year’s popular Ceremony of Carols by Benjamin Britten. Also on the program is On Christmas Night, a beautiful setting of the Christmas story by the English composer Bob Chilcott. Rounding out the afternoon will be Carols and Lullabies by Conrad Susa. Be sure to join us for this joyful and reflective way to usher in the holiday season.

Many thanks to the Smithville Charitable Foundation for their grant covering the fees this season for our new online ticket sales system.

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American Choral Gems
Nov
12
7:30 PM19:30

American Choral Gems

  • St. Mark's United Methodist Church (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

BCS will perform masterworks by composers from the 20th century as well as those currently forging new paths in the repertoire. Among the works to be presented will be Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms and In the Beginning by Aaron Copland. Also on the program will be pieces by Barber, Whitacre, Lauridsen, Elaine Hagenberg, IU’s Dominick DiOrio, and BCS’s own Abby Henkel.

Buy Tickets

In-person adult tickets $20

Student tickets $15

Live stream tickets $20

The buttons below will direct you to an external page to purchase your tickets.

Important Concert Information: You will present your purchase confirmation as your ticket. You can present a printed version or one from your phone. If you are purchasing a livestream ticket you will receive a link to the performance in your confirmation email. The recording will be available to livestream ticket buyers for 48 hours following the concert.

If you have any questions regarding purchasing your ticket or the performance please contact Jess Roman at tickets@chambersingers.info.

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Spring Concert: Mozart and Brahms
Apr
23
7:30 PM19:30

Spring Concert: Mozart and Brahms

Nänie is Johannes Brahms’ beautiful elegy on the transience of life, composed for chorus and orchestra. Considered one of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s greatest works, the Great Mass in C-Minor, K.427 is profoundly compelling.

Christ Community Church (formerly Evangelical Community Church)
503 S High St, Bloomington

A livestream of the concert will also be available and can be viewed for 48 hours after the performance. Livestream tickets may be purchased up until the concert start time.

Tickets
$25 per person at Christ Community Church

$15 per student at Christ Community Church (student ID required for admission)
$25 for the livestream link

Presale ticket purchases ended at midnight on Friday, April 22. After this time, you are welcome to purchase tickets at Christ Community Church the night of the event. Ticket sales will begin at 6:45 pm.

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Britten: St. Nicolas and Ceremony of Carols
Dec
5
3:00 PM15:00

Britten: St. Nicolas and Ceremony of Carols

  • St. Mark's United Methodist Church (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

St. Nicolas is a dramatic jewel of a cantata by Benjamin Britten that depicts St. Nicolas’ life, faith, miracles, and his enduring legacy. Crozier’s libretto invites the audience to join in singing two beautiful hymns at key moments: ‘All people that on earth do dwell’ and ‘God moves in a mysterious way his wonders to perform.’

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Holiday Cards
Dec
16
to Dec 31

Holiday Cards

  • Google Calendar ICS

If you’re home for the holidays and missing beloved Bloomington traditions, celebrate the season safely with Songs of Comfort and Joy.

holiday.jpg

Members of the Bloomington Chamber Singers and other local musicians collaborated to produce free holiday music recordings and videos to share far and wide.

Listen to and watch this free playlist, available on our YouTube channel.

Thank you to our Holiday Card sponsors!

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O Love
Nov
24
10:00 AM10:00

O Love

One of our projects in Fall 2020 was the production of our first virtual choir piece, O Love, by the American composer, Elaine Hagenberg. It is a beautiful, gentle piece that captures the spirit of care for each other during these difficult times. We hope you enjoy this musical gift.

O Love, that will not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in thee;
I give thee back the life I owe,
That in thy ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be.

O Joy, that seeks me through the pain,
I cannot close my heart to thee;
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain
That morn shall tearless be.

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