Listen to BIV's "We Three Kings" from "Great Joy II: Around the World" here.
Founded in 1994 by Tony nominee McElroy, BIV is a gospel choir ensemble made up of actors and musicians from a host of Broadway and Off-Broadway shows. Among its members is Hamilton's Renée Elise Goldsberry, who is featured in the Kickstarter video for the new album.
"There's something that we as a group do when we come together, with gospel that I think is a revelation in this community," says Goldsberry in the video. "That's not all that this group does. This group is called to bring a level of excellence in terms of the arrangements and the performing and just the spirit with which we handle the material and the spirit with which we share it."
"Great Joy II: Around the World" will feature holiday songs from around the globe, celebrating diverse holiday traditions; it is scheduled for release in fall 2016. All of the sales profits will go directly to BIV's outreach programs, bringing music to children in schools and underserved communities.
"We are devoted to strengthening and unifying the New York community through the transcendent power of music," states the organization's mission statement on their website. "Our purpose is to provide outreach programs through concerts, recordings, showcases, and workshops designed to help children, teens, and young adults who are in need of educational, health, or cultural enrichment." For more information visit BroadwayInspirationalVoices.org.