Video includes a never-before-seen performance of “We Shall Be Free” and new footage of performance of the National Anthem at Fenway Park
Boston, July 3, 2020—Today, the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus (BGMC) released “Reuben’s Picks, Fourth of July,” a video collection celebrating Independence Day and the ongoing fight for freedom and equality for all people, especially Black people and all people of color, in this country.
The 15-minute video features three past BGMC performances curated and introduced by Music Director Reuben M. Reynolds III: George Michael’s pop hit “Freedom,” “We Shall Be Free,” co-written and originally recorded by Garth Brooks; and the National Anthem at Fenway Park in 2018. It marks the first time that BGMC fans will see video of “We Shall Be Free,” which the chorus performed in its 2014 concert, “Can’t Stop the Beat.”. It also includes previously unseen footage of the National Anthem performance that was provided by the Red Sox.
“MLK said, ‘None of us is free until all of us are free,’” said Reynolds. “On this Fourth of July we are more committed than ever to raising our voices for freedom and equality for all Americans, especially our black and brown brothers and sisters.”
“Reuben’s Picks, Fourth of July,” is the fifth video released by BGMC since the cancellation of BGMC’s spring concert after Massachusetts declared a public health emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Boston Gay Men’s Chorus has been sharing stories through song about our community to audiences around the world for over 38 years now,” said BGMC Executive Director Craig Coogan. “We can’t perform for live audiences right now, but we can still sing and share our stories in other ways that inspire change, build community and celebrate difference.”
In May, BGMC launched BGMC Online to showcase BGMC@Home virtual videos, which include “From Our Home to Yours: Everything Possible,” “Pride 2020 Selections by Music Director Reuben Reynolds III,” “Black Lives Matter,” and “Born This Way: Virtual Boston Gay Men’s Chorus. BGMC Online also features highlights from BGMC’s archive of more than 350 video performances that are viewed more than 1.5 million times annually. Playlists include BGMC’s most popular videos from YouTube, its most recent Pride concert titled “God Save the Queens,” its most recent spring concert, titled “Raise You Up,” and playlists from its tour of the Middle East in 2015 and tour of South Africa in 2018.