Choral Arts New England has announced the funding of 15 grants, for a total $13,650, in the 2019 season. The funded projects were selected from the 52 proposals received. This year's awards are the largest number of grants in the history of the organization, reflecting growing activity and innovation in the New England choral community. Both the number of applications and the amount requested have steadily risen over the past several years; last year, 51 applications were received and $14,150 was given in grants. Awards will be presented at the annual awards ceremony on November 3, 2019.

The funded projects are listed below.

Burlington Choral Society, Burlington, Vt.
Commission of "Berry Songs"

To commission Vermont-based composer Don Jamison to write a new work, a setting of seven of Wendell Berry's Sabbath Poems, for SATB chorus with string orchestra, to be performed during the 2020-21 season in Burlington and Montpelier, Vermont.

Cantilena, Arlington, Mass.
Anne Frank: A Living Voice

For performance in December 2019 of Anne Frank: A Living Voice for treble voices and string quartet by Linda Tutas Haugen. Based on selected entries from The Diary of Anne Frank, the texts and music portray Anne’s psychological progression from fear and despair to strength and hope.

ChoralArt, Portland, Maine
Considering Matthew Shepard

To support  the Maine premier performances in Portland in March 2020 of Considering Matthew Shepard by Craig Hella Johnson, an oratorio which tells the story of the Wyoming gay teenager who became a national figure after he was beaten and left to die in 1998.

Chorus Angelicus c/o Joyful Noise Inc., Torrington, Conn.
Signed, Sealed and Delivered

To record and produce a CD of works commissioned for them by contemporary composers, including Ola Gjeilo, Francisco J. Nunez, Robert I. Hugh, Michel Guimont, Greg Wilfrid, and Andrew Thomson. Choristers will work closely with select composers, two concerts will be performed in Washington and Hartford CT in preparation for the recording, and a workshop for Hartford students, called "Harmony in Hartford," will take place prior to the Hartford concert.

Commonwealth Chorale, Newtonville, Mass.
As We Are Changed, a commission

To support a commission from Carson Cooman for chorus, chamber orchestra and soloist, in honor of David Carrier's 40th anniversary as Music Director.

Coro Allegro, Boston, Mass.
Andrea Clearfield Commission and Premiere: Transgender and Queer Children and Their Parents

For the commission and performance of a work for SATB chorus, soloists, small ensemble, and narrator, focused on the experiences of transgender and queer children and their parents, which will be premiered on May 17, 2020 at Sanders Theatre in Cambridge and performed at the GALA Choruses Festival XI in Minneapolis, Minn. on July 4-8, 2020.

Fairfield County Children's Choir, Trumbull, Conn.
25th Anniversary Celebration Concert at Carnegie Hall

To help fund bus transportation for children in the choir who will be performing at Carnegie Hall in New York as part of the choir's 25th anniversary season and might not otherwise be able to participate.

Greater Boston Choral Consortium, Boston, Mass.
Student Scholarships for Alice Parker Workshop

To subsidize admission fees for undergraduate and graduate students participating in workshops, including a large choir session and a conducting session, with educator Alice Parker. The workshop will be open to all and include singers and song leaders of all levels from throughout New England.

Lorelei Ensemble, Cambridge, Mass.
I Long and Seek After: The Fragments of Sappho

To support a commission from Jessica Meyer of a new work for SSSMMMAA voices, setting the fragments of ancient Greek poet Sappho, as translated by Anne Carson in If Not, Winter. The work will be premiered in Boston in October 2019, with subsequent performances as part of Lorelei’s touring schedule.

Montpelier Community Gospel Choir, Montpelier, Vt.
MCGC 25th Anniversary

For performances on December 8 and 9, 2019 in Barre and Montpelier Vt. the showcase gospel selections from the African-American tradition and songs from contemporary gospel composers, with an expanded band and guest vocalist to celebrate the choir's 25th anniversary.

New Hampshire Master Chorale, Plymouth, N.H.
Kim André Arnesen Commission

In support of a commission from Kim André Arnesen of a forty-minute multi-movement choral-orchestral work on social issues related to suicide, mental health, isolation, and incarceration, to be performed in November 2019 across New Hampshire and possibly in March  2020 at the American Choral Director’s Association Eastern Division Conference.

Outer Cape Chorale, South Wellfleet, Mass.
Four Hundred Years of Music from the Land Known as America

To support performances with full orchestra in May 2020 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the landing of immigrant Pilgrims on the shores of the Wampanoag nation at the tip of what is now known as Cape Cod. The concert program will be devoted to American music and include original compositions created for the occasion.

Somerville Community Chorus, Somerville, Mass.
Somerville Composition Competition

For competition for a new choral composition for 75-voice SSATB choir and up to four obbligato instruments, which addresses a theme relevant to life in Somerville or the Boston area and New England more broadly. The composition will be premiered and recorded in Spring 2020 concert and will be featured at Somerville's PorchFest in May 2020.

South Shore Children's Chorus, Quincy, Mass.
"I am on my way!" Summer Choral Intensive 2019

To provide musical resources for the South Shore Choral Intensive, a program July 15-19 2019 and in residence at Stonehill College, which is for singers entering grade 8 through 2019 graduating seniors and focuses on themes of leadership, personal responsibility, and musical excellence. The theme for summer 2019 is "I am on my way," with the music learned and performed centering around the theme of self-discovery.

St Mary Schola, Falmouth, Maine
André Campra Messe de Requiem

For performance by the early music ensemble of the rarely heard Messe de Requiem by Baroque composer André Campra.