Notes from the Audience
Audience members gladdened our hearts with comments about recent Burlington Choral Society concerts
BEETHOVEN: MASS IN C MAJOR AND CHORAL FANTASY - November, 2023
“The concert hooked me from the starting note. Thank you for bringing such beautiful music to our community!”
“Claire Black absolutely knocked it out of the park! Amazing performance! Beethoven rocks!”
“What a triumph last night! The Mass was incredible- the Credo in particular, and the Agni’s Dei ‘miserere’ section. And I was rendered speechless by Claire’s performance!”
DEEP IN SONG: MUSIC TO AND FROM UKRAINE - April, 2023
"One of the finest choral concerts I have attended and I have been attending concerts for decades. Because of the full voices and clear acoustic I was able to take out my hearing aids and it was wonderful. While I know no Ukrainian the articulation was excellent. And most important the music was beautiful. Of course one can never go wrong with Rutter as a finale."
"I was enthralled from the first chord. I’m very glad that I went."
"What an experience! I envy you the immersion in this music, but not the work involved to learn and perform it so beautifully. ... Often programs of many short works do not have such cohesion, such satisfying focus. And thanks to Michael Schachter for composing what I thought was the most gorgeous piece, though I loved everything."
"We thoroughly enjoyed it. Beautiful music, and such a pleasure and a joy to hear SO MANY voices making music together. Thank you for another wonderful musical experience. The music from Ukraine was powerful and moving, the delivery by the musicians was lovely."
"It was a fabulous concert today. Moving, tender, joyful, and music that brought me to tears. Thank all of you."
"Beautiful concert. I was moved by it all, but especially by the lullabies, the piano works, the Schachter and the Prayer at the end."
BOHEMIAN BAROQUE- November, 2022
Excellence! Everyone was perfect together. It was a delightful evening of music in a most pleasant setting. That wasn’t overheated or cramped. Thank you!”
We thoroughly enjoyed November's Bohemian Baroque concert. The Magnificat section in particular was incredibly stirring, and the soloists outstanding. It was wonderful to be able to enjoy a large choral performance in person. The Elley-Long Music Center is so accessible and comfortable, with fantastic acoustics.
There Is a Day – November 20, 2021
“Thank you for a terrific concert! For a while, I was able to forget all the crazy world outside and just be with the angelic voices.”
“I thoroughly enjoyed the concert, as did my parents, who were venturing out to a public venue for the first time since the pandemic hit. The music and the singing was so beautiful, especially Don Jamison’s piece! Dick always does such a wonderful job choosing repertoire. Looking forward to the BCS in 2022!”
“It was a beautiful concert. Thank you, BCS.”
“Wish you hadn’t had to wear masks, but it was a good concert.”
“I very much enjoyed the concert, particularly Don's piece.”
“What a great concert it was. The audience was rapt!”
“I greatly enjoyed attending your There Is a Day performance. Thank you for offering such a beautiful rendering of Don Jamison’s compositions.”
“Your concert was amazing- I only wished it was 2 nights, as I would have gone back a second time. The music was inspiring, warm, energizing and calming in a very peaceful and beautiful way. I especially enjoyed the piece There Is a Day, which was so wonderfully matched in words and composition to make such remarkable music, telling stories of nature, life, spirituality, and human emotion with such gorgeous imagery and symbolism. All the music was outstanding; also really enjoyed Let My Love Be Heard – incredible voices!
“Thank you again for all your practice/rehearsals and for sharing your talent. It was truly a special evening of music that lifted us up!”
Baltic Heartbeat: Music from Lithuania – November 23, 2019
“An excellent event.”
“Keep up the good work. Always a great concert.”
“You took my breath away.”
“Wonderful.”
“We enjoy your concerts and diversified music.”
“Thank you so much for doing all the Baltics – in their own language!!!”
“Excellent – but I do prefer more familiar music.”
“Thank you for helping me explore my Lithuanian heritage! And with my Lithuanian mom, who drove up from NH to see this!”
“Spectacular concert. An evening of music performed by the chorus! Not another concert of soloists with an occasional part for the chorus!”
“Beautiful concert.”
“We always enjoy your concerts and are happy we’re able to be here tonight.”
“Music was beautiful!! Thanks.”
“Wonderful concert. We thoroughly enjoyed it.”
“Of the people I invited, one said it was ‘staggeringly beautiful’ and it was ‘happy singing.’ People loved having the diplomat here and it was terrific that he could give such a thoughtful talk to us and the audience. This helps convey the meaning so beautifully.”
“Congratulations to the BCS Singers for a stirring and beautiful concert of Baltic music. The harmonies and feeling from the music were superb. Freedom means so much to those who have not always had it.”
“Very moving.”
Sunset, Sunrise – April 13 & 14, 2019
“Another wonderful BCS concert!! The music was beautiful, the soloists top-notch and the BCS sound simply splendid. Congratulations!”
“We loved the concert. As always it was beautiful.”
“Excellent in every way!”
“Wonderful concert”
“Very well done – wonderful”
“Doing a great job. Sounding excellent!”
“The concert was wonderful! It looked like everyone really enjoyed it. The soloists were top-notch. Adam's voice [tenor Adam Hall] carried really well. The group was fabulous, and it looked like you all had fun with the last 2 pieces!”
“Your concerts are always so good.”
“Lovely – Thank you”
Birthday Odes - November 17, 2018
“Terrific performance!”
“Sandwiching the Leonard Bernstein between Purcell and the Handel gave compare & contrast a new meaning. Startling and oddly beautiful!”
“The concert was amazing -- nice job!”
“Your concert was marvelous. All of you were wonderful!! A friend who had never been to your concerts because they had lived out in N. Hero said on the way out that she is so excited that there will be another concert in April!!”
“Fabulous! So surprised at quality of music. Program was innovative. We were blown away by the quality of musicianship and that extraordinary soloist ... well all three -- but the countertenor was a treat. Those Psalms were most unusual and mesmerizing. We did not know Bernstein’s (choral) music. Just his orchestration.”
“Awesome website! Wonderful choir! Countertenor was superb.”
“Lamah rag'shu!!!”
“Keep it up!”
“What a marvelous evening! Chorus was excellent as were each of the soloists. A perfect beginning to the holiday season! Lest I forget to mention the orchestra … fantastic!”
“Beautiful!”
“Your celebration of Birthdays & Bernstein took us to another level of music appreciation. The Chichester Psalms touched us the most. How the choral, instrumental & trio of soloists blended into ONE, we'll never know!! I kept my eyes on Riley!! (The concert) lifted us to a level beyond the stress & stain of disharmony. Of course we needed the reminder of Psalm 133: Behold how good, And how pleasant it is, For brethren to dwell together in unity!”
“Orchestra perhaps a little loud at times when accompanying the soloists. Otherwise, fabulous!”
“Keep us guessing! Love Bernstein with Purcell and Handel.”
“Congratulations on a very enjoyable evening.” -David Neiweem on Facebook
“BCS singer Loring Starr says: I've gotten great feedback from a number of Onion River Chorus members who made the trek—high praise for all of us, and they really enjoyed the concert.”
Baltic Heartbeat - Music of Latvia - April 28, 2018
“This is the most outstanding BCS concert in a long, long time. The second that the alto soloist opened her mouth, I knew it was going to be good. The tenor and baritone soloists were individually wonderful. When they sang together, they reminded me of the duet in ‘The Pearl Fishers.’ The organ was great but too loud at times.” -Burlington
“I loved the melodic parts of the concert.” -Burlington, VT
“A wonderful concert, packed with beautiful music and meaning. We were all friends of Latvia by the end!” -[town unknown]
“Very moving and interesting. Kudos. I especially liked the folk songs.” -S. Burlington, VT
“Really love that you have done Estonia & Latvia. Is Lithuania next?” -Sheldon, VT
“Beautiful performance and insight into the Latvian people and their musical culture.” -Monkton, VT
“What beautiful singing; a wonderful choice of music.” -N. Ferrisburgh, VT
“Thank you once again for a wonderful concert. The dedication and work of the Burlington Choral Society to prepare and present a program of Latvian music is truly a tribute to our country and its musical history and tradition. To present it so well is the achievement of you and your choristers! As our group of singers from Montreal and Ottawa stand and sing among the tens of thousands in Rīga this July, we will be conscious of the fact that our music travels far beyond our boundaries, even to the hearts and minds of our friends in Burlington. Once again, a heartfelt thanks!” -Roberts Klaiše, Honorary consul of Latvia (Quebec) and proud amateur chorister. Montreal, QC
Handel's Alexander's Feast — Nov. 18, 2017
“I just closed my eyes and let the glory of it fill my mind.”
“It was marvelous.”
“How much I enjoyed the concert -- it was totally wonderful. I hated for it to end!!!”
“Everything and everyone was exceptional.”
“Thank you for all your dedication and hard work -- always a special treat!”
“This is the best BCS concert in years!”
“Wonderful -- on all fronts: chorus, orchestra & soloists!”
“Great program! Alexander's Feast is one of our favorite pieces of music. Love the tenor. We traveled from Andover (VT) just for this & it is worth it.”
“Loved it! Enjoyed being able to follow along with the printed program.”
“Glorious sound.”
“We came from Montreal after hearing about your concert on VPR.”
Brahms' A German Requiem — April 22 & 23, 2017
You sang heavenly.
From the first note of beauty to the last -- one treat of Brahms music we had never experienced!! Congratulations to the chorus!
Excellent performance!! Loved it in English even though I speak German! Transporting!
Beautiful voices and music.
We are fortunate to have such a quality choral group in our community.
It has been wonderful to feel the power and drama of Brahms in an acoustically fine hall with a wonderful chorus & fine soloists!
Long may they sing!
I love good live music.