There was no place in Hartford - in fact, there was no place in the state of Connecticut - that had more holiday spirit than Mortensen Hall at The Bushnell tonight, when Broadway Inspirational Voices took the stage for a rousing, joyful, and uplifting concert of holiday music. The unbelievably talented choir of Broadway singers had the audience jumping, clapping and cheering all night long. Were you there? What did you think of the show?


Comments (18)
My wife and I attended this evenings performance of "Great Joy: A Gospel Christmas" and felt it was by far the best Christmas concert we have attended in years. The energy shown and breadth of the selections by the BIV was excelent.
Please do what it takes to continue the relationship and bring them back next year as we would like to bring more of our family to the performance.
Thank you. BRAVO.
Posted by Bill | December 17, 2007 9:55 PM
Posted on December 17, 2007 21:55
An Amazing evening! So grateful to attend such an uplifting, entertaining, and meaningful performance. Thanks to all of the talented performers and for all of the individuals behind the scenes who made this show happen in Hartford. I would be very delighted to make this program the musical highlight of future Christmas Seasons!
Posted by Meg | December 17, 2007 10:21 PM
Posted on December 17, 2007 22:21
Wonderful. Beautiful voices. Rousing renditions! There was much clapping, toe tapping and smiles everywhere! Thank you for this joyous holiday treat. It is definitely one to repeat year after year.
Posted by Elaine | December 17, 2007 10:23 PM
Posted on December 17, 2007 22:23
Tonight's concert was incredibly moving, completely professional, and well worth repeating next year. I wish word had gotten out to more area churches...the hall could have been full, and that many more souls affected.
Thank you for booking them!
Posted by peter | December 17, 2007 11:59 PM
Posted on December 17, 2007 23:59
My husband and I attended Great Joy last night. The show was inspirational! The BVI Gospel Choir was amazing- such a talented and dedicated group of people. I bought their CD and am handing it out to friends. In the midst of all the shopping, baking, party planning it refocused all who attended on the true message of Christmas.Next year if publicized to churches, youth groups etc. it would draw a packed house. I know we will be there !!!Thank you!
Posted by Maureen Harvey | December 18, 2007 7:37 AM
Posted on December 18, 2007 07:37
After seeing last nights performance of "Great Joy: a Gospel Christmas," for the first time ever I was overwhelmed with the talent and power this group gave to the audience. My dad who I had went with last night directly after the last song leading into intermission said Iam going to get their cd downstairs ill be back. So we opened up the cd on the way home and could not stop listening to all of the songs on it. I am still humming some of the songs B.I.V performed last night, the morning after the concert. I would definitely recommend the Bushnell bring this choir back next year and do more advertising on the radio, as well as, on their website for more people to come see this performance and experience the great joy music can bring to people. I would also recommend having the concert in the Belding theater instead of the other hall, because it would enhance the intimacy and power of the performance. Thank you, thank you, thank you, for the great joy this Christmas season. peace and blessings.
Posted by Eric Davidow | December 18, 2007 8:42 AM
Posted on December 18, 2007 08:42
Hi,Thank you for bringing "Great Joy: A Gospel Christmas"! It was pure joy. Thanks to Michael McElroy and the talented performers. The show really made our holiday season. Thanks to all involved!
Posted by Kathy | December 18, 2007 10:30 AM
Posted on December 18, 2007 10:30
The gospel Christmas concert was one of the most amazing performances I've seen...ever...of any kind. It made me remember the true reason for the season and helped me to realize that all the stress and worry is not necessary.
Posted by Anonymous | December 18, 2007 10:39 AM
Posted on December 18, 2007 10:39
GREAT show last night! Please keep this relationship going so the concert can become an annual event!
Posted by Emily | December 18, 2007 1:37 PM
Posted on December 18, 2007 13:37
My father and I are both musicians and have loved the music of BIV since we heard it for the first time 2 years ago. We have been anxiously waiting for them to do a concert. The concert last night was a my Christmas gift to my dad. Although we live in New York, we made the almost 2 hour drive to hear this group and we were not disappointed. It was beyond awesome. I am so glad that we had the chance to hear these incredible musicians in person. I hope that this will become a yearly event. It is worth the trip!
Posted by Erica | December 18, 2007 2:28 PM
Posted on December 18, 2007 14:28
What a wonderful way to celebrate the Christmas season! The dedication of the artists was obvious, their talent breathtaking, and their joy contagious! I absolutely LOVED "Great Joy" and I hope to have the opportunity to repeat the experience for years to come.
Posted by Teri | December 18, 2007 3:56 PM
Posted on December 18, 2007 15:56
I am a church pastor in a Hartford suburb, and during this especially busy time of year for me it was an incredible gift to receive the blessing of the BIV concert last night. The witness of faith and the power of the voices was incredible. Thank you for bringing them to us in CT, and please continue the relationship.
Posted by Michael | December 18, 2007 6:28 PM
Posted on December 18, 2007 18:28
I was seated by an unassuming older woman, who came alone. We both were so moved by the song "Have You Heard About the Baby", we reached for each other's arm. She had tears down her cheeks. These songs mean so much to so many, and were a conduit for two total strangers to connect in such an unspoken, intimate way. Thank you BIV. I've had my Christmas present. Please come back.
Posted by stefanie | December 18, 2007 7:33 PM
Posted on December 18, 2007 19:33
I truly enjoyed the Gospel Christmas Concert. I bought tickets as a birthday gift for my girlfriend and she enjoyed it as well. It was way above what I expectated. It is so nice to hear such lovely mix of tradional and non-tradional Christmas songs. Thank you for bringing such wonderful shows to Hartford.
Posted by Jackie | December 19, 2007 12:23 PM
Posted on December 19, 2007 12:23
It was a truely amazing show which brought the Christmas spirit alive, but I feel you did the Biv singers an injustice by pricing your tickets so high. It would have even been more spectacular if the house was packed. To see so many empty seats was disheartening. For a first time show, so that all of the commuinity could enjoy the spirit, the tickets should have been priced at $20-25 each.
Posted by Anonymous | December 21, 2007 2:59 PM
Posted on December 21, 2007 14:59
I also LOVED a Gospel Christmas and hope it becomes an annual event; I have already talked to people about coming next year and plan to give it as a Christmas present if it returns.
In addition to the wonderful voices and arrangements, I was so thankful for the mention of Advent and the TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS! Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Posted by Jann | December 21, 2007 4:00 PM
Posted on December 21, 2007 16:00
I attended the B.I.V. Gospel Christmas. It was the most amazing, awe inspiring event I have ever been to. I couldn't get out at intermission quick enough to buy the CD. I truely hope this will become an annual event, as I will spread the word and get everyone I know there.
It truely brought back the true meaning of Christmas which sadly has been lost to comercialism.
I had gosebumps and/or tears thruogh much of the concert listening to those amazing voices, and that was the best rendition of Little Drummer Boy that I have ever heard. (This could be said for most of the songs.)
PLEASE COME BACK!!!!!
Posted by Patricia Charon | December 23, 2007 11:50 AM
Posted on December 23, 2007 11:50
Great Show!
A must return.
Thank you!!!
Posted by Anonymous | December 26, 2007 11:30 AM
Posted on December 26, 2007 11:30