VIRTUAL PROGRAM

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Original Text: Charles Wesley

Original Music: Felix Mendelssohn

Arranged/Add’l Lyrics by Michael McElroy

Joy to the World

Traditional

Arranged by Michael McElroy 

Band Arrangement by Joseph Joubert

You Are An Heir

Music/Lyrics: Donald Lawrence

Happy Days Are Here Again

Music/Lyrics by Milton Ager/Jack Yellen

Arrangement/Add’l Music & Lyrics by Allen René Louis

Band Arrangement by Kareem Matcham

Soloist: Kayla Davion

M’paka Palé 

Music/Lyrics: Allen René Louis

Band Arrangement: Kareem Matcham

“Hope In Rest”

Kate Chapman

Rest

Music/Lyrics: Ken Burton

My Song

Music/Lyrics: Allen René Louis

Band Arrangement: Kareem Matcham 

& Ghreg Louis

For Every Mountain

Music/Lyrics: Kurt Carr

Soloist: Shoshana Bean

15 Minute Intermission

Song of Praise

Music/Lyrics: Rev. Shawn Brown

Wonderful Is Your Name

Music/Lyrics: Rev. Hezekiah Walker

Band Arrangement: Kareem Matcham

Soloist: Marcus Paul James

“I Came For The Music”

Michael Goddard

Stand By Me

Music and Lyrics by Ben E. King, Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller

Arrangement by Allen René Louis

Band Arrangement by Kareem Matcham

Clap Your Hands

Music/Lyrics: Patrick Riddick 

Featuring: LaGuardia High School Gospel Choir

I Give You Praise

Music/Lyrics: Richard Smallwood

Soloist: Allen René Louis

Matthew 28

Lyrics: Scripture

Music/Arrangement: Donald Lawrence

Narrator: John Eric Parker

“Hope in Harmony”

Angela Robinson

Love Divine

Music/Lyrics: Richard Smallwood

He’ll Make It Alright

Music/Lyrics: Rev. Milton Brunson

Arrangement: Joseph Joubert

Band Arrangement: Kareem Matcham

Soloist: Dr. Patrice E. Turner

Broadway Inspirational Voices (BIV) is a diverse community of Broadway artists united to change lives through the power of music and service.

In 1994 more than 32,000 people died from AIDS or AIDS-related complications in the U.S. Many of those deaths came from within the Broadway community. As Broadway grappled with the loss of an entire generation of artists, Tony and Grammy-nominated Michael McElroy (founder of the Broadway Inspirational Voices) saw in the community a profound need for hope, unity, and inspiration. He envisioned an organization where professional artists would come together and volunteer their gift to provide comfort, joy, and the promise of a better day–and as a result, The Broadway Gospel Choir was born. This magical synergy of authentic Gospel soul and Broadway bravura was re-imagined as the Broadway Inspirational Voices (BIV) in 1999 and they have been the theatre community’s center of support and celebration ever since.  In 2019, The Tony Awards Administration Committee presented the Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre to four outstanding contributors to the Broadway industry, and Broadway Inspirational Voices was a recipient. The Tony Honor was a resounding endorsement of BIV’s enduring work and impact and in celebration of 25 years of service. In 2020, McElroy hand picked composer/singer Allen René Louis to become the new Artistic Director for BIV. BIV’s diverse membership has represented over 140 Broadway shows since its inception. For more information – and for ways to DONATE – go to www.BIVoices.org​. You can also find them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at handle @BIVoices.

OUR MISSION

BIV is committed to supporting and strengthening communities in need. We accomplish our mission through uplifting choir performances and our signature arts, education, and outreach programs.

Through creative engagement we build a sense of community in safe and empowering spaces for individuals to be vulnerable, to heal, and rebuild. Our nationwide innovative and collaborative music and performing arts programs serve marginalized and overlooked communities in need. TONY® honored Broadway Inspirational Voices is uniquely positioned to access a diverse pool of creative professionals from Broadway and beyond who seek meaningful outlets to use their hearts and talents to provide mentorship and inspiration.

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Allen René Louis is a Haitian-American arranger, composer, and creative director. His artistry is deeply rooted in his cultural background and church upbringing.

Louis attended Manhattanville College in Purchase, NY, where he studied vocal performance. While in attendance, he continued to hone his musical skills by directing the male Acapella group, as well as leading the collegiate Gospel Choir. 

He has performed extensively with award-winning artist Ben Platt, appearing together on Jimmy Kimmel Live, in Ben’s Netflix special Sing to Me Instead at Radio City Music Hall, and throughout the International Tour of the same title. Allen’s solo performances include a sold-out engagement of Allen Louis in Concert at the historical Palace Theatre in Stamford, CT (2018), his composer/debut concert at The Greenroom 42 in 2019, and a virtual concert entitled The Music of Allen René Louis aired worldwide in 2020.

Louis served as Music Director for the 2020 Musical Theatre Songwriting Challenge presented by The American Theatre Wing in partnership with The National Endowment for the Arts. In 2021, Louis’ vocal arrangements were featured on The Tony Awards’ “Broadway’s Back” Live telecast on CBS, the Australian Premiere production of Tarell Alvin McCraney’s Choir Boy at Riverside’s National Theatre of Parramatta in Spring of 2023, after serving in the same capacities for Yale Repertory Theatre’s Spring 2022 production of this lauded play. Louis is currently the Vocal Arranger and co-Music Arranger of the revival of The Wiz, coming to Broadway Spring of 2024. 

In 2018, Louis was invited to be a member of the Broadway Inspirational Voices. Soon after, he was appointed to BIV’s music team, where he worked closely with BIV’s founder and director, Michael McElroy. In January of 2021, in response to his immense skills and talents, he was chosen by McElroy to become BIV’s Associate Artistic Director, and officially stepped in as Artistic Director in July of 2021. 

Louis has numerous projects in development, and hopes that his work will continue to inspire, uplift, and bring about positive change.

THE BIV CHOIR 

LaGuardia High School Gospel Choir

GUEST SPEAKER

Michael Goddard

Angela Robinson

BIV CONCERT STAFF 

Artistic Director: Allen René Louis

Concert Associate Director: Dennis Stowe

Concert Writers: Allen René Louis, Rev. Lisa Lynne Kirkpatrick, Kate Chapman

Executive Director: Angela Grovey

Director of Operations: Anna R. Kaltenbach

Associate Music Director: Ben Roseberry

Transcriber/Alto Vocal Captain: Adee David 

Soprano Vocal Captain: Casey Erin Clark 

Audio Engineer/Tenor Vocal Captain: Will Stone 

A&E Music Coordinator: Paul Trenier

Production Stage Manager: Leanne Long-Hulin

House Management: Michelle Liu Coughlin

Sound Designer: Patrick Pummill

Sound Team: Zane Mark & Gibson Entertainment Services

Wardrobe Supervisors: Ta’Rea Campbell, John Eric Parker

Artist Management: Entertainment Creative Management - Kimberly JaJuan

Accountant: My Fiscal Office

Director of External Communications & Media Director: Marcus Paul James

Media Team:  Shaunice Alexander, Robert H Fowler

Copyist: Kate Chapman 

Arts and Education Programs Director: Tasha Michelle Smith 

Arts and Education Operations: Tiffany Cole

Membership Directors: John Eric Parker, Robin S. Walker

Associate Membership Director: Christopher Zelno

Membership Team: Danielle Chambers, Laura Dean, Michael Seelbach

Section Leaders: Laura Dean, Danielle Chambers, and Christopher Zelno

Volunteer Coordinators: Mae Schuberth, Keirsten “Kai” Stanton

Graphic Designer: Nick Bringhurst

Photographer: Julianna McGuirl

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Robert B. Acton, Chair

Leslie Barrett, Vice Chair

Joseph Cerrone, Treasurer

Dina Sarno Slawson, Secretary

Dan’l Mackie Almy, Director

Sylvie Armand, Director

Bruce Cohen, Director

Allyson Tucker Mitchell, Director

John Eric Parker, Director

Kevin Ryan, Director

Danielle D. Taylor, M.D., Director

Schele Williams, Advisory Council Chair

Michael McElroy, Founder

Phylicia Rashad, Chair Emeritus

Di Ana Pisarri *In Memoriam

HOLIDAY CONCERT SPONSORS

Cause Strategy Partners

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids

Kevin Ryan

SPECIAL THANKs

Our generous HOPE IN HARMONY Benefit Sponsors

Brent Ness, St. Paul and St. Andrew United Methodist Church, Steve French, Rev. Lisa Lynne Kirkpatrick, Angela Robinson

VOLUNTEERS

Colette Araque, Courtney Behm, Jasmine Borders, Ryan Colbert, Mia Walsh Corbett, Perri Gaffney, Juliet S. Gray, Louise Griffin, Mara Herman, Jarret Jackson, Rachel Lloyd, Zonya Love, Alec Lynch, Jacob Marre, Maddie McDonagh, Peter McIntosh, Debbie McIntyre, Angelika Menendez, Conrad Neblett, Adam Nucci, Jonah Nucci, Evan Ozer, Todd Pettiford, Jessica Radetsky, Sebastian, Martin Sola, Lillian Stowe, Vivienne Thomas, Helen White, Tasha Williams and the rest of our wonderful volunteers.

LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The land on which this performance takes place is part of the ancient homeland and traditional territory of the Lenape people. The Lenape (also referred to as the Delaware) were among the first Native Americans to come in contact with Europeans. Forced off their ancestral land, they now have communities in Kansas and Oklahoma. We remember and reflect on the losses suffered by Indigenous people at the hands of European colonizers and we acknowledge the enslaved peoples and many others whose names we do not know who helped to build this city.