Advancing the Spirit of Community

We believe that music should not be limited to those who can visit the concert hall. Our Bridges program, launched in 2013, is an integral part of the Back Bay Chorale’s mission to celebrate and share the unifying power of music with our community.

Bridges class members sing together

ESOL Chorus

Music and English are universal languages. Everyone should have access to these languages without fear of making mistakes, whether spoken or sung. In partnership with the Boston Public Library, our Bridges ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Chorus provides participants with an opportunity to make vocal music, improve their English language skills, and develop friendships with singers—within the ESOL community as well as with singers from Back Bay Chorale. Bridges participants meet each Tuesday morning to learn basic singing skills and songs in English. At the end of each class, they have the opportunity to make new friends and practice their English conversation skills. No previous music skills are required.

Community Engagement Coordinator Riikka Pietiläinen Caffrey, a native Finn, leads the Bridges program. She is a renowned teaching artist, conductor and singer in the Boston area. Her research focuses on equity and inclusivity in music education and challenging the patriarchical narratives in music. Riikka believes in fostering versatility in her students in order to give them optimal chance for success. She is currently Associate Professor of the Practice and Director of Choral and Vocal Performance at Boston College. Read more about Riikka here >.

VISIT THE ESOL CHORUS PAGE

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

Bridges ESOL Chorus Featured in Choral Journal

Choral Journal October-2024 200px.jpg Back Bay Chorale's Bridges ESOL Chorus is featured in the October 2024 edition of Choral Journal, the official publication of the American Choral Directors Association. The theme of the issue is "A Focus on Advocacy and Collaboration," and the Chorale is featured in the magazine's "Collaboration Spotlights."

Through the universal language of music, the ESOL Chorus provides a powerful platform for Englishlanguage learners from various backgrounds to come together, make music, and find joy and community amidst the challenges they face.

READ THE ARTICLE

(PDF of the "Collaboration Spotlights" will load.)

About the Video

In February 2021, the ESOL Chorus and participants of The Complete Chorister recorded "We Shall Overcome", that most famous anthem of the American civil rights movement.

What our ESOL participants say.

"For me, singing is a dream come true! Thank you!”

– Maunia (Iran)

"Singing makes me feel free from my worries and gives me hope and strength."

– Monika (Poland)

"It's very easy and fun to improve my English with this music class."

– Débora (Brazil)

“For the singing class, it was professional. The class is very good.”

– Ngon (Vietnam)

2019

Boston Public Library: Literacy Training
Faneuil Hall: Naturalization Ceremony

A Heart for Service

Service has always been at the heart of the Back Bay Chorale experience. Musician, minister, and social activist Larry Hill founded the Chorale in 1973 to create a musical ministry that would bring meaning to both singers and their audience.

We launched Bridges in 2013, focusing our efforts on performing live choral music for those unable to visit the concert hall. From retirees, to Alzheimer patients, to veterans recovering from injury and PTSD, Bridges has always connected and uplifted communities across the Commonwealth.

Voices, spirits lift in face of Parkinson’s steady toll
— Boston Globe

We also started welcoming our country’s newest citizens by performing the National Anthem at Naturalization Ceremonies. To further help connect our community, we coordinated with local universities to include students in this endeavor, and we look forward to resuming this important function when it is safe to do so.

Our current initiative is a partnership with the Boston Public Library, helping with literacy training through song. Thanks to our online sessions, which launched in the spring of 2020, our reach is now global.

While our initiatives may evolve, what inspires us is a shared commitment to a sincere and authentic experience, advancing the spirit of community through our song.  