Choral Arts New England History
Choral Arts New England was formed in 1980 as the Alfred Nash Patterson Foundation, a memorial to the legendary “Bud” Patterson, who organized his first civic chorus in the mid-1940s and for the next thirty-five years exerted to the utmost his talent, musical intelligence, charm and élan to the furtherance of the choral arts. Bud lifted choral music in the Boston area from a kind of doldrums—largely rewarmed chestnuts—by means of innovative programming, merciless auditioning, and meticulous (albeit merry) rehearsals. Introducing both early liturgical works unheard for generations and daring new compositions heard for the first time, he added to audience enjoyment, choral skill, and the programming potential for symphony conductors. In addition to his first invention, the Chorus pro Musica, Bud Patterson conducted, at various times, the Cape Cod Chorale, the Worcester County Music Association, the Worcester Festival Chorus, the Master Singers of Worcester, and the Brandeis University Chorus.
Bud Patterson loved the choral arts and all those who practiced them. In his teaching at Tanglewood and Brandeis and through his personal example, he inspired a whole generation of singers and choral directors throughout New England. He was a cultural leader, articulating ambitious goals for choral music performance, chorus development, and choral music composition. He was a mentor and model for singers, conductors and composers.
Upon his death in 1979, many spontaneous gifts were received in his memory. Donors suggested the commissioning of new choral works, building a library of choral music, festivals, tours, and workshops as fitting memorials. A committee of distinguished music specialists was assembled to review project proposals. In this way, the Alfred Nash Patterson Foundation came into being.
Choral Arts New England strives to enrich the choral repertory by encouraging performance of new compositions and long-neglected works, to improve chorus administration, to support chorus resources such as music libraries and collections, to foster career development of choral directors, and to encourage educational and public awareness programs concerned with the choral arts. It also strives to disseminate information on choral music through a newsletter and on the Internet.
Alfred Nash Patterson Foundation grants, administered by Choral Arts New England, are given annually for outstanding projects that further the choral arts. Some 187 grants to 109 organizations, totaling over $235,000, have been awarded since 1985. The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented annually by Choral Arts New England to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to choral singing and its culture within New England. In addition, Choral Arts New England:
- Publishes Chorus, a newsletter which is distributed free of charge to some 350 New England choruses and to individual supporters of the choral arts, and which will soon be available online;
- Maintains a directory of choruses of New England, which is available online at www.choralarts-newengland.org.
- Periodically conducts concerts, workshops, and other events to benefit the choral arts in New England.
More information is at www.choralarts-newengland.org, or call 617-721-SING.