NEWS
April 15, 2026: BBC Bridges ESOL Chorus to Sing at the International Institute of New England Gala
BBC's Bridges English as a Second or Other Language (ESOL) Chorus is excited to perform at the International Institute of New England's Golden Door Gala this evening. The Bridges chorus, provides participants with an opportunity to make vocal music, improve English language skills, and develop friendships with fellow community members. Led by Dr. Riikka Pietiläinen Caffrey, the chorus, in partnership with the Boston Public Library is a core community engagement activity of the Back Bay Chorale.
March 31, 2026: BBC Conducting Apprenticeship Applications for 2026-2027 Season Are Open
The BBC Conducting Apprentice is a season-long mentored training position that offers real podium time, with a highly skilled 120 voice ensemble, under the guidance of Dr. Stephen Spinelli. This is a full-season apprenticeship built around immersive, hands-on experience. The Apprentice will prepare and conduct sectional and full ensemble rehearsals, work closely with Music Director Stephen Spinelli in structured one-on-one mentorship sessions, and observe artistic planning and interpretive decision-making from the inside. The Apprentice will lead, grow, and leave the season a stronger, more confident conductor. More Information can be found here.
March 8, 2026: 600 Singers Join Voices to Sing Mozart's Requiem and Honor the BBC's Beginning
On Saturday March 7th, the chorale completed its Masterworks Sing-In series with a moving collective performance of the Mozart Requiem at Church of the Covenant in Back Bay. 50 years ago, the same work was performed at the same location as the BBC's very first performance conducted by Larry Hill, our founder. We were delighted to be joined by founding members of the chorale and by Larry Hill's wife, Joan as a guest of honor. Singers and audience enjoyed refreshments afterwards, continuing to build on our new friendships.
The church was packed with friends new and old, BBC alumni and the 100-strong chorale, led by Dr. Stephen Spinelli, for an afternoon of unity and music-making. Singers loved the chance to rehearse and then perform a cherished masterpiece together:
"Just the very idea that you sponsored the event was a gift to the community! So thank you. I enjoyed hearing our 500 voice choir sing the beautiful music."
".....the community spirit in the church as the singers and listeners gathered in this beautiful venue. Watching the choir director in action unifying this large and unique choir is a treat. The talent of the singers (I sat near some exceptional tenors), and the fabulous resulting sound and acoustics. And of course, Mozart’s incredibly beautiful requiem!"
More than just a performance, the BBC's Sing-Ins embody the Chorale’s mission to share the power of voice and advance the spirit of community. This afternoon re-affirmed our connection to the community and to our beginnings.
February 9, 2026: Over 500 Singers Lift Fauré’s Requiem in a Joyous Community Sing-In
On Sunday, February 8, the Back Bay Chorale hosted a remarkable masterwork sing-in of Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem at Trinity Church in Boston’s Copley Square, drawing over 500 singers from across Greater Boston and beyond to raise their voices together in song.
Part of the Back Bay Chorale’s 50th Anniversary Season, this free event invited participants of all experience levels to rehearse and perform with the Chorale alongside the Choir of Trinity Church under the direction of Music Directors Stephen Spinelli (Back Bay Chorale) and Colin Lynch (Trinity Church), with Jerrick Cavagnaro playing Organ.
Participating singers joined in the historic sanctuary’s rich acoustics for an afternoon of shared musical expression and community collaboration. Audience members were also welcomed for free to hear the piece and experience the event from the church balconies. Reaction was uniformly positive:
“So many singers coming together from many many different groups and raising our voices together was so inspiring! It was a great experience.”
“Thank you for this opportunity. It helped me feel connected to community through the beauty of song.”
More than just a performance, the sing-in embodied the Chorale’s mission to share the power of voice and advance the spirit of community. For those who came to listen as well as those who came to sing, the experience was a vivid reminder of the unifying power of choral music — vibrant, heartfelt, and joyously communal.
November 6, 2025: Back Bay Chorale Announces Winner of Christmas Carol Commission Competition
The Back Bay Chorale is pleased to announce that composer Michael Cheng has been selected as the winner of the organization’s inaugural Christmas Carol Commission Competition. The competition, launched in the summer of 2025, invited composers from across the country to submit original works for mixed chorus that reflect the spirit of the holiday season. The winning composer receives a $2,500 commission and the opportunity for their new work to be premiered at the Chorale’s annual Boston Christmas concerts.
Michael Cheng is an award-winning composer and pianist whose works have been performed internationally, including for audiences of over 30,000 and dignitaries such as former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. Born in Hong Kong and based in New York, Cheng holds degrees from Harvard University and MIT and has received numerous honors, including two national wins in the Music Teachers National Association Composition Competition and the Hugh F. MacColl Prize at Harvard. Learn more about the composer at www.chmcheng.com.
Submissions were evaluated by an esteemed panel of choral leaders and composers, including Back Bay Chorale Music Director Steve Spinelli, Donald Nally (The Crossing), Michael Gilbertson (Pulitzer Prize finalist, Boston Conservatory at Berklee), and GRAMMY-winning soprano Rebecca Myers (Variant 6).
Cheng’s commissioned carol will receive its world premiere performance at the Back Bay Chorale’sA Boston Christmasconcerts on December 19 and 20, 2025, at Old South Church in Boston. “Michael’s work stood out for its craftsmanship, imagination, and emotional depth,” said Stephen Spinelli, Music Director of the Back Bay Chorale. “We are excited to share this new work with our audience this December.
This year's commission is supported by The Pitt Family in honor of Chris Pitt – husband, father, singer - 1951-2022.
For more information about the Christmas Carol Commission Competition visit the information page.
October 10, 2025: Back Bay Chorale Appoints Viacheslav Kozlenko as 2025–26 Conducting Apprentice
We are delighted to announce that Viacheslav Kozlenko has been appointed as the Back Bay Chorale Conducting Apprentice for the 2025–2026 season. In this mentored role, Viacheslav will work closely with Music Director Stephen Spinelli and with our artistic collaborators, preparing repertoire, conducting sectional rehearsals, and supporting full rehearsals and performances.
Viacheslav is currently a graduate Choral Conducting candidate at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee, and holds a master’s degree in Artistic Direction of Opera, Symphony Orchestra, and Academic Choir from the V.S. Popov Academy of Choral Art. His prior experience includes serving as Choirmaster for the Perm Opera and Ballet Theater, collaborating with orchestras such as the Moscow Regional Philharmonic and the Mariinsky Theater Orchestra, and performing as pianist and singer in early music ensemble settings. With this strong background in both conducting and ensemble work, Viacheslav brings both artistry and enthusiastic leadership to our Chorus. We look forward to the season ahead under his apprenticeship.
Congratulations to Stephen Spinelli on his GRAMMY® Award
And the 2025 Grammy for Best Classical Solo Vocal Album goes to...
...our very own Music Director Dr. Stephen Spinelli, who co-produced the album Beyond the Years - Unpublished Songs of Florence Price, with soprano Karen Slack, and pianist Michelle Cann. The groundbreaking album features 19 unpublished songs by Florence Price, including 16 world premiere recordings. ONEcomposer, a nonprofit organization that Spinelli founded with professor Tamara Acosta of Ithaca College, funded and executive-produced the project. ONEcomposer celebrates musicians whose legacies have been historically excluded.
In addition to co-producing the album (with Azica records), Spinelli edited and engraved all the editions utilized for the recordings from manuscript materials—and he authored the liner notes. “For years, I have been studying Florence Price and her wildly unlikely career that yielded hundreds of compositions—most of which were (and remain) unpublished,” says Spinelli. “My reverence of her and her career led me to found ONEcomposer. Having worked with Michelle and Karen for years, the pairing of this powerhouse team made a ton of sense for a recording project celebrating Price’s largely unheralded status as a gifted composer of art song.”
Prior to the album's release, ONEcomposer stated, “The opportunity to hear Price’s songs performed by industry leaders positions her where she belongs—alongside the great art song composers. Karen Slack is one of the most gifted communicators in her industry, and her versatility in presenting recitals, chamber music, and opera is exceptional. Michelle Cann has been championing the works of Florence Price for many years. This album is advocacy. It is an invitation to performers, educators, musicologists, and anyone with curiosity to continue the work of fully realizing Price’s legacy.”
Read more about the 2025 GRAMMYS classical winners at wrti.org >.
On Saturday, March 8, 2025, the Back Bay Chorale, under the direction of Stephen Spinelli, performs Price’s Song of Hope and additional songs featured on the Grammy winning album. For concert information and tickets, click here.