Virtually wonderful
Perhaps one of the most uplifting and memorable ways people have raised funds for us during the coronavirus crisis is the virtual performance by 53 musicians and singers of a new work by a local composer.
The piece, for full choir and orchestra, puts the words of Psalm 150 to music. It was created by Jason Bahr, a composer, singer and assistant professor of music and composition at Florida Gulf Coast University. He put together 76 individual recordings by these musicians and singers (some of them recorded more than one part) for his “PS150 project,” which premiered June 1 on Facebook Live and YouTube.
The group has raised at least $1,000 so far, said Jason, who is also vice president of The Fort Myers Symphonic Mastersingers and bass section leader at First Presbyterian Church of Bonita.
He decided to do the virtual concert to provide a way for the artists to continue making music together, even though they couldn’t physically get together, and also to take all of this artistic energy and put it toward a worthy cause.
“I chose Psalm 150 for this because it is a very joyous sentiment where everyone together praises God,” Jason said. Harry Chapin Food Bank was chosen as beneficiary because “it provides immediate help for a basic need to the most people,” he said.
The moving result of their musical efforts can be seen and heard at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OvSE_Wa1O4