Skip to content

Chilliwack vocal ensemble records song as a ‘gift from the world, to the world’

A total of 48 singers came together to record ‘Ubi Caritas’ with vocal group Belle Voci
21592126_web1_200519-CPL-Belle-Voci-worldwide-project_1
A total of 48 singers took part in Belle Voci’s recording of ‘Ubi Caritas.’ (YouTube)

Musicians from around the world joined a Chilliwack ‘a capella’ ensemble for a virtual choral piece which has surpassed 3,500 views in just over a week.

The worldwide collaboration project by Belle Voci features the song Ubi Caritas by composer Ola Gjeilo with 48 different singers participating from around the globe. The term ‘a cappella’ is singing without instrumental accompaniment.

“We are getting accolades from all over the globe so the project is a gift from the world, to the world,” said music director Paula DeWit.

http://youtu.be/4RLJnqrqjzs

The project is similar to one that the vocal ensemble did in April when they recorded a song “together” while physically distancing in their own homes – only this recent one features voices from all over the world.

READ MORE: Fraser Valley singing ensemble overcomes isolation, creates music using digital technology

Lay a Garland was a fantastic test project, but even before it was complete I already had wheels turning on the next one. I knew I wanted to make it a universal project,” DeWit said of the song Belle Voci recorded at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Much like Lay a Garland, the song Ubi Caritas was recorded by each singer on their smartphone from their home. From there, the production team extracted the audio from the video and meticulously assembled all the clips to form the mass virtual choir.

“The meaning behind the music is to love each other with a sincere heart. It’s about unity and human kindness,” DeWit said. “The feel of the piece is about tranquility, peace and hope to be found by joining together. Those seem to be exceptionally important things to be sharing in the world at the moment.”

Singers who were part of the worldwide project are from Canada, the U.S., Australia, Poland, France, Hong Kong, the Philippines, the United Kingdom and Indonesia.

The members of Belle Voci are from Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Langley, Port Coquitlam and Lake Errock. The ensemble’s next project will be Ne Irascaris by William Byrd.

You can hear the song on YouTube.


 

Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on?
Email: jenna.hauck@theprogress.com
Twitter: @PhotoJennalism

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.



Jenna Hauck

About the Author: Jenna Hauck

I started my career at The Chilliwack Progress in 2000 as a photojournalist.
Read more