Established in June of 2021, the vocal group continues to expand their horizons with new and challenging music and performances.
Lori Graham
Contributing Writer
The Blue Ridge Vocal Connection (BRVC) came together just after Covid-19, in the summer of 2021, when they started practicing outdoors at the Blacksburg Farmers Market.
Their numbers have grown since then and now average approximately 35 people in the choral group.
A variety of genres are part of their repertoire, challenging performers and exciting audiences. Their first season of performances were songs from movie hits. They held a more recent performance in Blacksburg doing “a little bit country and a little bit rock-n-roll.” Some of their selections are original pieces and others are pieces from Broadway productions. Director Thomas DeBusk also arranges some of their pieces.
“The music we do is challenging,” Mark Freeman, group member and assistant to Director DeBusk, said. “We work to make beautiful music and make music that people want to hear.”
“We are trying to brand our group as a regional chorus…we are not just immediately local,” Freeman said. “Thomas has high expectations and standards, and the members of the group are willing to meet with those objectives, but also entertaining and enjoyable for the audience.”
They perform at multiple events all year, allowing the opportunity to perform their well-rehearsed music programs for diverse audiences. DeBusk shared that their Spring and Summer music are even performed up to 15 times through the various events they attend. Blue Ridge Vocal Connection also performs their Christmas selections for many local and regional events.
BRVC is a 503© organization, and many performances are free to the public, except for fundraising events. Their schedule is constantly updated on their website at www.blueridgevocalconnection.com.
“What I find is constantly fulfilling, the people that I work with that when you issue the challenge they step up and deliver. I always get a front row seat…over and over again, I have this wonderful presentation,” said DeBusk.
In addition to their performances around the New River Valley, the group has traveled and performed at the Roanoke Hotel and Conference Center, Primland Resort, the Biltmore Estate, and will be traveling to Lincoln Theater in Marion, Virginia, to perform this coming summer.
“We have been to the Biltmore Estate twice as part of their Candlelight Christmas Celebration and you have to audition for that,” DeBusk said. “The sounds on the first floor are amazing.”
Events for 2024 include performing at the Huckleberry Park concert on Memorial Day weekend. Steppin Out, and Slusher’s Chapel Ruritan Fish Fry in September, to name a few.
Last year the choral group partnered with Wilderness Road Chorus, an all-female a Capela group, for a vocal performance at Warm Hearth Village. The event drew approximately 100 people.
Mark Freeman also serves on the Board of Durectors at Mountain View Humane Spay and Neuter Clinic in Christiansburg. In December of 2023, Blue Ridge Vocal Connections held a Christmas concert fundraising event at the Lyric Theater in Blacksburg. Attendees could enjoy donations of food and drinks while experiencing the vocal entertainment of the group and an opportunity to participate in the concert as audience members. The fundraising event netted $3,500, sharing the proceeds with the Mountain View Humane Society.
“It is an overt part of our plan to partner with other community groups to accomplish good things. We are happy to partner with other community groups to raise awareness and raise funds,” DeBusk said.
Individuals interested in singing, even if they do not have any prior experience, should come out to practice, DeBusk said. Rehearsals are Thursdays, 6:30-8:30 pm at Northside Presbyterian Church located at 1017 Progress Street, NW, Blacksburg.
“We provide the tools for people to learn,” DeBusk said.
A recent all-day BRVC-sponsored workshop was all about giving people, some that had never sung before, and others that maybe want to hone their skills, an opportunity to work and learn from vocal coaches.
There are no age limits to join the choral group; however, rehearsals are on average two hours long. Families are encouraged to attend and participate together with the consideration of the length of practice. At least one adult will be required to stay the duration of rehearsals with their child or children.
Additional information about Blue Ridge Vocal Connection can be on their Facebook page.
