Virtual Choir Hallelujah Chorus -- Easter 2020, Worship In Exile
Channel: Kyle Turver
Date: 2020-04-12

Every year our church—Bethany Presbyterian Church in Seattle Washington— ends our Easter services with an invitation to come forward and join the choir in singing Handel's Hallelujah Chorus. People stream forward and pack onto the chancel. I count it off and away we go. Every year—in all of it's rough-around-the-edges beauty—this impromptu performance is one of the most hopeful, fun events of my year. The first time I had the pleasure of directing this mass of people I nearly cried through the whole thing. 

As churches are shuttered due to COVID-19, I wanted to find a way for this tradition to live on. A number of choir members had sent me the virtual choir videos that have been circulating online and I realized we could do this for the Hallelujah Chorus. I offered an invitation to the choir and other singers I know, much like I do in worship every Easter. This time it was via email. What you have here is our 2020 Hallelujah chorus ritual. I hope seeing all these faces together reminds you that someday, our hallelujahs will will echo together in person.

I am grateful to all the people who made this wild idea possible and for all the singers who were brave enough to send me videos of just their face and voice singing their part of the Hallelujah Chorus. Thanks you, and great job!