A new YouTube video series, "Talking Choral Music," featuring interviews with noted composers, conductors and business leaders in the choral community, will be launched on Friday, Oct. 16. The host is Cantilena Chamber Choir Music Director Andrea Goodman. See the programs at https://youtu.be/xKQQ3LSWSnE
One of the major consequences of the current COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak has been the cancellation of many performances, costing many singers an important part of their livelihood. The Boston Singers' Relief Fund (BSRF) was founded 10 years ago to help singers in time of need. As an immediate response to the current situation, BSRF is offering one-time grants to compensate New England-based classical singers for some or all of the income they lost due to COVID-19 related cancellations.
The application and full information are on the BSRF website. Available funds are limited (and donations are being accepted).
The Somerville Community Chorus in Somerville, Massachusetts, announces a special choral composition contest in honor of the 35th anniversary of its founding. The winner of the composition contest will receive a $1000 prize. The selected composition will be premiered by the Somerville Community Chorus on May 31, 2020 in Somerville in our Spring Concert, entitled "The Sung and the Spoken Word," which will be conducted by music director David Giessow. Travel expenses to the premiere are the responsibility of the prize recipient.
The Hartford, Connecticut professional choral ensemble Voce welcomes Eric Whitacre as Conductor and Composer-in-Residence for their 2019-2020 season with a "Prelude" concert on October 22, 2019, where Whitacre and Voce perform some of Whitacre's best-known works, including Lux Nova, Cloudburst and Leonardo Dreams of His Flying Machine, as well as five movements of Sacred Veil, which was premiered earlier this year. The event partially benefits Choral Arts New England's grants program.
