Choral Arts New England is delighted to announce the funding of 14 Alfred Nash Patterson grants, for a total of $23,550, in the 2022 grant cycle. The total amount awarded this year is the largest in the history of the grants program, thanks to the continued success of the capital campaign, "A Voice for Voices". The campaign will continue to accept new pledges and donations through the middle of 2022.

Funded projects were selected from 41 proposals received, a slight decline from last year that reflects the continued impact of the COVID pandemic on choral singing. Recipients came from all six New England states. They include three youth educational programs and support for an initiative to expand repertoire for children's voices; a large-scale singers' workshop in Maine and a visit by a distinguished composer in Connecticut; new takes on "old" music in Vermont and Connecticut; major initiatives that recognize underrepresented composers and musical traditions in Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Vermont; and two projects highlighting significant commissions on the theme of climate change.

Funded projects will be celebrated at Choral Arts New England's annual Awards Ceremony in fall 2022. They are listed and briefly described below.

Bagaduce Music Lending Library, Blue Hill, Maine
The Harmony of Maine

For a performance on June 26, 2022, featuring three centuries of choral music written by Maine composers. The concert is part of a series showcasing diverse works held in the library collection.

Boston Children's Chorus, Boston, Mass.
Opus Nuovo: A Diverse Approach to the Choral Canon in the 21st Century

In support of an initiative, “Opus Nuovo,” to identify, commission, and collaborate with global composers and other artists for the creation of a of new choral works that represent a truly diverse spectrum of global musical styles and approaches.

Brattleboro Music Center, Brattleboro, Vt.
Renaissance-inspired commission from Kitty Brazelton

For a collaborative commission of a 3–5 minute Renaissance motet-style piece for 4-part a cappella mixed choir, setting a poetic text by a Black woman poet, either Angelina Weld Grimké (1880-1958) or Alice Dunbar-Nelson (1875-1935).

Chorus of Westerly, Westerly, R.I.
Choral Education After-School Program at Chariho Regional Elementary School (Choral Arts New England Board grant)

To support continuation of a free after-school program to nurture interest and excitement for singing at local elementary and middle schools serving rural and often economically disadvantaged children.

GMChorale, Middletown, Conn.
Timeless Seasons (Grant in honor of Richard Coffey)

For a performance in November 2022 illustrating the musical connection between Baroque and contemporary choral music, combining the Connecticut premier Martin Sedek’s “The Four Seasons: A Cantata'' with a performance of Antonio Vivaldi’s “Gloria.”

Lorelei Ensemble, Cambridge, Mass.
Look Up (Choral Arts New England Chairs' and Vice Chairs' grant)

To support a the commissioning and performance on October 2022 of new works for women's/treble voices that depict present and future worlds through the lens of shifting weather patterns and impending climate change.

Manchester Symphony Orchestra & Chorale, Manchester, Conn.
Music She Wrote and Works of Underrepresented Composers (Hammond Family Grant)

For choral performances dedicated to the works of underrepresented composers, including a concert in December 2022 featuring female composers Hildegard of Bingen, Caterina Assandra, Isabella Leonarda, Fanny Mendelssohn, Amy Beach, Florence Price, Margaret Bonds, Rosephanye Powell, Shireen Abu Khader, Diana V. Sáez, and others, and a concert in April 2023 including works by Robert Nathaniel Dett and Marianna Martine.

Middlebury Community Music Center, Middlebury, Vt.
Western Vermont Choral Lab and Community Sing (Saxton Family grant)

To support a 12-week community choir session conducted by composer, singer, and educator Moira Smiley in collaboration with Middlebury Community Music Center, which culminates in a big outdoor “community sing” on July 11, 2022.

Ogontz Arts Foundation, Temple, N.H.
Support for Beginning Music Teachers

To provide support to enable music teachers in the early years of their careers to attend the 2022 Ogontz Choral Workshop.

Providence Singers, East Providence, R.I.
Singing for Social Justice: Commission, collaboration, premiere

To support the commission, performance, and video recording of a new choral work to be performed in collaboration with a gospel choir, with text focusing on social justice.

The Seraphim Singers, Watertown, Mass.
Edie Hill Commission for 2022-23 (Irving Forbes Centennial Grant)

To support commissioning of a five-minute piece from Edie Hill on a 2020 poem about the climate change crisis by Danielle Cadena Deulen, with premiere performance anticipated in spring 2023.

Vermont Symphony Orchestra, Burlington, Vt.
World premiere: Matthew Evan Taylor

For the premiere in October 2022 of a commissioned work for chorus and orchestra by Dr. Matthew Evan Taylor, titled "From Despair...Light!" which is based on gospel choral traditions of hymn lining. The event will also include a workshop with Dr. Taylor for middle and high school students.

West Hartford Women's Chorale, West Hartford, Conn.
Festival of Women's Voices 2023

To support an appearance by the renowned composer Dr. Rosephanye Powell that will include a full day workshop and conducting of collaborative, multigenerational choirs in a public performance of several of her compositions.