Bill O'Connell welcomes director Frank Bianchi, the Baldwin Wallace Men's Chorus and Mr. Son’s Echo, a small ensemble within the group, for its annual holiday performance at the Idea Center.
One of the holiday works the chorus sings is an African Christmas Carol, Betelehemu, arranged by Wendell Whalum the late African-American choral legend.
"It's become a staple of the Morehouse Glee Club in Atlanta and [BW Men's Chorus] connection is that we were very fortunate last year to have their choir director for a day as a clinician with the men's chorus," Bianchi said.
This opportunity brought the chorus members closer to the club and its traditions, including the performance of this very percussive piece.
Tune in at 1:52 p.m. Friday to hear the BW Men's Chorus perform "Betelehemu" on 90.3 during Here and Now featuring The Sound of Applause.
Watch WVIZ/PBS at 8:30 p.m. Friday to see and hear more from the BW Men's Chorus holiday peformance on Applause.
Frank Bianchi, director
