Eastern Singer Hannah Bythrow Tours Post-Hurricane Puerto Rico

2018 Apr 6

A group of talented vocalists from Eastern Connecticut State University embarked on a unique tour of post-hurricane Puerto Rico this spring break. From March 9-15, members of the Chamber Singers performed in concerts and worked on service projects in the slowly recovering island.

Among the singers is Hannah Bythrow '18 of Bolton. Bythrow is an alto and majors in Music.

"Traveling to Puerto Rico was such an exciting trip because Chamber Singers is like my family," she said. "Being able to share the experience of singing for people while helping the community was rewarding beyond measure."

In addition to three performances in San Juan, the group volunteered in the hurricane-battered neighborhood of La Perla, just beyond the walls of Old San Juan. Divided into three work crews, they cleared away debris from the residential section of the neighborhood while others repaired roofs and restored gardens.

Bythrow remembers seeing new electricity poles being installed along the roads-flown in by helicopters-a stark reminder that many people are still living without power. "Exploring outside the city was eye opening," she said. "I realized how long it might take for the island to return to its former glory. It made me realize the privileges we take for granted on the mainland."

On a lighter note, during a roofing project, she said, "I remember hammering nails in the heat of the day, singing at the top of our lungs and thinking to myself, 'This is happiness.'"

The Chamber Singers performed for enthusiastic crowds at Stella Maris Parish and Escuela Libre de Musica (Music School in San Juan).

David Belles, conductor of the ensemble, said of the demands of the tour: "Seeing our students have to kick it up a notch and adjust immediately to a new environment, new audiences, new spaces-having music be the only language many of us had in common-was a moment when all the work preparing for this endeavor really paid off."

"Much like the colorful buildings and landscape on the island itself," concluded Bythrow, "our audiences' faces lit up when they heard us and it was clear that they were truly thankful be a part of our singing."

The Chamber Singers is Eastern's premier vocal ensemble, composed of 20-25 auditioned singers from various academic departments. Performance repertoire encompasses chamber music from more than four centuries. The annual spring tour serves to enrich the musical live of audiences near and far, and enhance the cultural experience of members of the ensemble while studying at Eastern.