An enduring tradition at Boston College is the University Chorale's performance of its theme song, "Tollite Hostias� 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 淭ollite Project� a reality.
The participants made recordings of themselves singing the song, which were showcased in a collaborative video "to create a virtual Chorale experience,� according to the group president, Cassie Pearson �20. The video was released on Facebook and Instagram.
湗Tollite Hostias櫇 evokes deeply treasured memories for nearly anyone who has ever been a member of the University Chorale,� said conductor John Finney.
淭he 楾ollite Project� 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攁nd frankly, phenomenal攑erformance,� he added. 淭he fact that so many beloved singers have summoned the resiliency and creativity to make music 榯ogether, while staying apart� has been immensely inspiring."
With the season cut short in March, Pearson said, 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 楾ollite Project� developed and the response was amazing.
淲ith everything that is happening right now it can be hard to stay positive,� she added. 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.�
Rosanne Pellegrini | University Communications | May 2020