An enduring tradition at md传媒国产剧 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