Boston Choral Collective Organizational Meeting

The Boston Choral Collective is a new professional ensemble in Boston. The organizational model is based on New York’s C4 Choral Composer/Conductor Collective (c4ensemble.org). C4 has had significant success based on its collective organization in which: everyone sings well, those who conduct share the podium based on their abilities, those who compose write pieces for the ensemble, and all members share in organizational roles. There is a significant amount of skill share integral to the process, so that those aspiring to gain new skills will find a chance. Repertoire is chosen from music written in the last 25 years, which is loads of fun and extremely interesting.

My experience singing, conducting and writing for the group for four years was profoundly formative and enjoyable. The chance to work with talented colleagues, to share leadership, and to avoid the dictatorial approach of most ensembles creates perpetually exciting opportunities.

If you are someone who:

Singer: has trained, can read, is willing to prepare work (e.g. sing at a professional level), and is willing to share your vocal knowledge to build a unified ensemble approach to the demands of new music

Composer: can sing (see above), has interest in writing for choral ensembles and is interested in taking and offering feedback, and working with other composers to guide decisions around compositional choices for the group

Conductor: can sing (see above), has experience with choral ensembles, and is interested in taking and offering feedback, and working with other conductors to help guide ensemble decisions regarding repertoire and concert dynamics, and willing to work with other conductors and singing leaders to create a unified vocal approac

All: are enthusiastic to work in a collaborative setting (wherein your opinion is always valued but not always chosen), willing to participate in organizational systems that allow collective leadership to thrive (e.g. when and how to give feedback), open to serving in non-musical capacities as well as musical leadership (on a board, setting up for concerts, fund raising, marketing, preparing programs, etc.)

If this sounds like something you would enjoy (and, from my experience, most vocal professionals eat it up with great enthusiasm), then come and join us for the Boston Choral Collective conversation.

Email me, David Harris, at letting me know you are interested (put Boston Choral Collective in the subject line). We’re planning to hold a meeting on Friday, November 15, specific time and place TBA.

Join us on Social Media at our Facebook page:

Currently, myself (Holy Cross), Thomas Stumpf (Tufts), Hannah Carr (Beaver Country Day School), Julian Bryson (Curry College) and Adrian Fekula (Holy Cross alum) are committed to the group. We hope to have at least 16 to present a spring concert.

Hope to see you there!

–David Harris