The Choral Arts Society of Washington and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Announce Healthcare Heroes Program

More than 120 tickets will be distributed across hospital systems in the northern Virginia region for frontline healthcare workers

RICHMOND, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Choral Arts Society of Washington and season sponsor Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Virginia announce they have partnered on a new program called Healthcare Heroes to offer concert tickets to northern Virginia area frontline healthcare workers. One hundred and twenty tickets for the 43rd Annual Holiday Concert will be distributed to workers from area hospital systems.

“I’m extremely grateful to Anthem for this partnership and excited to uplift healthcare workers across the northern Virginia region,” remarked Tad Czyzewski, Choral Arts Executive Director. “We have done similar programs in the past to honor and give gratitude and we felt that frontline healthcare workers also deserve a night of soul-stirring music and heartfelt performances.”

The O Night Divine! Christmas Music Concert, featuring the Choral Arts Symphonic chorus and orchestra, will take place on December 18 at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The Honorary Patrons for the evening are Her Excellency Dame Karen Pierce DCMG, His Britannic Majesty’s Ambassador to the United States, and Sir Charles Roxburgh KCB.

“We could not think of a better way to express our gratitude for all of the hard work these individuals put in to take care of Virginians,” said Monica Schmude, President of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia. “This critical workforce puts their own wellbeing on the line at times to provide critical care for patients and this special night is a small token of appreciation for going the extra mile for our members and families across the Commonwealth.”

The musical tour of Christmas will translate the warm embrace of family into song featuring Sleigh Ride, Silent Night, O Come All Ye Faithful, and the world premiere of a new carol by Dominick DiOrio commissioned by Choral Arts. This year’s program features guest conductor Marie Bucoy-Calavan and the much-anticipated return of the audience sing-along.

“The healing powers of music should not be taken for granted. From soothing listeners into relaxation and reducing stress to its improvement of cognitive functions and abilities to express complex emotions, music is a balm for frenzied days,” said Czyzewski. “We truly believe this will be a restorative evening that is well-deserved by our local healthcare workers.”

For more information, visit the website of Choral Arts.

ABOUT CHORAL ARTS

At Choral Arts, we sing the music we love as a balm to frenzied days, an antidote to solitude, a union in an often-fractured world. We sing for a city with little time and high expectations, which compels us to transform a night out into a lifelong memory. Founded in 1965 by Norman Scribner (1936-2015), Choral Arts has a rich history of bringing the power of the human voice to audiences large and small, advancing the story of choral music by partnering with a myriad of musicians, composers, and ensembles.

ABOUT ANTHEM BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF VIRGINIA

Anthem Health Plans of Virginia, Inc. trades as Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Virginia, and its service area is all of Virginia except for the City of Fairfax, the Town of Vienna, and the area east of State Route 123. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and its affiliate HealthKeepers, Inc. are independent licensees of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Elevance Health. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Additional information about Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Virginia is available at www.anthem.com. Also, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/anthemBCBS and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AnthemBlueCrossBlueShield.