Choral Arts New England has announced the funding of 13 grants, for a total $14,150, in the 2018 season. The funded projects were selected from 51 proposals that were received. Both the number of applications and the amount requested have steadily risen over the past several years; last year, 44 applications were received and $13,000 was given in grants. Awards will be presented at the annual awards ceremony in the autumn of 2018.

The funded projects are listed below.

Andover Choral Society, Andover, Mass.
Florence Price: Abraham Lincoln Walks at Midnight

For performance and recording of Florence Price's 25 minute work, a musical setting of Vachel Lindsay's poem Abraham Lincoln Walks at Midnight. Florence Price (1887–1953), who graduated with honors from New England Conservatory in 1906, was the first African-American woman to be recognized as a symphonic composer, and the first to have a composition played by a major orchestra.

Cappella Clausura, Newtonville, Mass.
Fanny Mendelssohn: 3 Cantatas

To support performance in Spring 2019 of three cantatas for chorus, soloists and orchestra by Fanny Mendelssohn: Lobegesang (Song of praise), Hiob (Job), and Oratorio on words of the Bible, which has been called "Cantata for the Dead of the Cholera epidemic" (of 1831).

Collegium Ancora, Providence, R.I.
Beneath the Armor: Songs of War & Peace

For two performances in July and November 2018 at armories in Providence and East Greenwich, to commemorate the centenary of the end of World War I. The centerpiece of program is the world premiere of a song cycle by Canadian composer Colin Eatock.

CONCORA (Connecticut Choral Artists), Hartford, Ct.
Considering Matthew Shepard

For multiple performances, commencing in November 2018, of Craig Hella Johnson’s concert length choral work Considering Matthew Shepard. Concert proceeds will be shared with local charities.

Da Camera Singers, Amherst, Mass.
Young Composers Commission Project

To support a commissioning project for composers up to 30 years old. Composers will submit manuscripts for SATB works 4–8 minutes in length, the chorus will workshop selected pieces, pair composers with established local composers for feedback, and provide a public performance in April/May 2019.

Hampshire Young People’s Chorus, Amherst, Mass.
20th Anniversary Commissioning Project

To support commissioning of three new works by local composers Rick Beaudoin, Greg Brown, and Geoff Hudson in celebration of YPC’s 20th Anniversary, to be performed in April/May 2019.  Children of all three composers have sung with YPC.

Island Community Chorus, Vineyard Haven, Mass.
Spring Concert 2019 Nancy Luce Premier

For a performance in April/May 2019 of a work by Thomas Lavoy setting the words of Martha’s Vineyard native Nancy Luce (b. 1814), who was known as “the chicken lady.” The composer intends the works to be a companion piece to Benjamin Britten’s Rejoice in the Lamb.

Labyrinth Choir, Southboro, Mass.
World House: 7 Continents =1 World

To support adding photographic projections to enhance a concert in April/May 2019 called “World House: 7=1” that celebrates world unity by representing the 7 continents of the world through song.

Manchester Choral Society, Manchester, N.H.
For Those Who Wait

For a performance in Spring 2019 of William Grant Still’s Those Who Wait and Kirke Mechem’s Songs of the Slave at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Manchester, N.H.

Metropolitan Chorale, Brookline, Mass.
A Medieval Bestiary: Collaboration with Brookline Puppet Theater

To support a program to include R. Murray Schafer’s A Medieval Bestiary and Gian Carlo Menotti’s The Unicorn, the Gorgon and the Manticore in collaboration with Brookline Puppet Theater, taking place in early 2019.

Rhode Island Civic Chorale, Cranston, R.I.
Beacon Music Program

To support a partnership with the choral music program at Beacon Charter School in Woonsocket, R.I., including a lecture seminar, conductor clinic, and subsidized concert tickets to low-income students.

Voce, Inc., Mystic, Ct.
2018-2019 Composer in Residence

To defray costs of bringing a well-known choral composer to the Hartford area for either a workshop or an “open rehearsal,” followed  by performance of his/her works. Previous composers in the program include Morten Lauridsen, Ola Gjeilo, Eriks Esenvalds, and Paul Mealor.

Zamir Chorale of Boston, Newton, Mass.
Zamir's 50th Anniversary Concert

To fund Hegyon Libi, a new commission by Jonathan Leshnoff for the chorale’s 50th anniversary concert in June 2019.