An enduring tradition at Boston College is the University Chorale's performance of its theme song, "Tollite Hostias鈥� by Camille Saint-Sa毛ns, as a parting gift to the senior class at Commencement. And this year, though the pandemic has precluded on-campus ceremonies, the spirit of that musical tradition continued.
On May 16, the group presented a virtual performance of the song, the culmination of a two-month effort involving more than 260 past and present Chorale members who joined together to make the 鈥淭ollite Project鈥� a reality.
The participants made recordings of themselves singing the song, which were showcased in a collaborative video "to create a virtual Chorale experience,鈥� according to the group鈥檚 president, Cassie Pearson 鈥�20. The video was released on Facebook and Instagram.
鈥溾�楾ollite Hostias鈥欌�� evokes deeply treasured memories for nearly anyone who has ever been a member of the University Chorale,鈥� said conductor John Finney.
鈥淭he 鈥楾ollite Project鈥� has given us a remarkable opportunity: hundreds of alumni from past decades have joined their voices with the voices of current members of the Chorale to create a unique鈥攁nd frankly, phenomenal鈥攑erformance,鈥� he added. 鈥淭he fact that so many beloved singers have summoned the resiliency and creativity to make music 鈥榯ogether, while staying apart鈥� has been immensely inspiring."
With the season cut short in March, Pearson said, 鈥渁s a senior I was heartbroken to have to say goodbye to the Chorale when I did. As a result, with the minds of many Chorale alumni, current members, and our conductor, John Finney, the idea of a virtual 鈥楾ollite Project鈥� developed and the response was amazing.
鈥淲ith everything that is happening right now it can be hard to stay positive,鈥� she added. 鈥淚 know this video, with over 260 people of different ages singing a song that means so much to them, will be a positive experience for many people.鈥�
Rosanne Pellegrini | University Communications | May 2020