Boston, April 13, 2020—Today, the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus (BGMC) released “From Our Homes to Yours—Everything Possible,” a virtual video dedicated to all those who are impacted by COVID-19, including the health care providers and support staff who are caring for the sick and the dying; and to the food service employees, child care providers, grocery store workers, delivery people, postal carriers, sanitation workers, and other essential workers who are risking their own health and safety to ensure that we all have what we need to maintain our health during this deadly pandemic.
Using their smart phones and singing from their homes, BGMC members recorded their parts in “Everything Possible,” by singer-songwriter Fred Small. The song, which BGMC performs at every outreach concert and also sings to new chorus members at the first rehearsal of every new season as a welcome into the BGMC family, is about love, family, acceptance and finding peace in a chaotic world.
“We are in awe of those who are doing so much to keep us safe and healthy during this time. We are so grateful to the health care workers, janitors, child care providers, grocery store employees and so many others who are still going to work to ensure our health and our safety,” said BGMC Music Director Reuben M. Reynolds III. “We wanted to find a way to give our thanks so we turned to what we do best, which is to sing.”
In creating this video, director Michael Willer sought to recreate the experience of seeing the chorus onstage by grouping the individual cells of chorus members together according their assigned section (Tenor 1, Tenor 2, Baritone, Bass). As viewers watch the video, the section that is primarily carrying the song during the performance dominates the screen. It’s also why Reynolds and our ASL interpreter, Lewana Clark, are visible throughout the performance.
“Like everyone else, we’re looking for creative ways to stay connected while we stay at home to stop the spread of the coronavirus,” said BGMC Executive Director Craig Coogan. “This was an incredibly moving project to work on and we hope it brings some measure of peace and comfort to those who watch it.”
“From Our Homes to Yours—Everything Possible” is available on BGMC’s YouTube channel and Facebook page.