Works like Benjamin Britten’s Cantata Misericordium are magnificent in concert, but they also offer engaging complexities — irony, wit, rhythmic intricacies, subtle interplay of text and music — that aren’t always apparent on first hearing. Singers have 10 rehearsals to discover and enjoy those subtleties, what our conductor calls a “guilty pleasure.”

We’re happy to share that experience. At 6 p.m. Tuesday, February 9, in the Carter Center, Artistic Director Andrew Clark will discuss works of the March 6 program and reflect on music with memorial themes. Join us in our rehearsal hall for refreshments and discussion — and, if you like, have a seat and stay for a bit of our rehearsal at 7 o’clock.

In 1963, Benjamin Britten wrote his Cantata Misericordium to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the International Committee of the Red Cross. The Providence Singers and the Rhode Island Red Cross intended to highlight the work of relief agencies when the chorus performs Britten’s work on March 6. Then the January 12th earthquake devastated Haiti.

The needs of the Haitian people are immediate and overwhelming. Relief agencies are unanimous: Giving money early and often is the best way concerned people can help. The Providence Singers asks its members, subscribers and friends to consider gifts to the American Red Cross or another trusted agency for international disaster relief.

Recordings of the Providence Singers

Lou Harrison: La Koro Sutro
The Singers joined the Boston Modern Orchestra Project and its American gamelan at Mechanics Hall in Worcester Tuesday evening, November 17, to record the entire work. BMOP will pair the Harrison with other modern works in an upcoming CD release.

Dominick Argento: Jonah and the Whale
The CD is printed and packaged and will likely be released in the first quarter of 2010. A release date will be announced soon. More ...

Lukas Foss: The Prairie
The Singers’s debut recording has been well received and is still available from vendors or through the Providence Singers. More ...

National study: Choral singing improves communities, schools, lives

Choral singing continues to be the most popular form of participation in the performing arts. More than 42.6 million Americans of all ages sing regularly in one or more of the nation’s 270,000 choral organizations — and the benefits of that experience are far-reaching and profound. According to The Chorus Impact Study, conducted by Chorus America, choral singing correlates strongly with:

• Good citizenship: Chorus members are civic leaders, support the arts, take part in government and political affairs, are well-informed and well-read, and are more likely to volunteer in their communities.
• Success in school: Children who sing get significantly better grades, improve their performance in language and math. Children of parents who sing have good memory skills, more effective homework habits, higher levels of creativity.
• Greater involvement: Children in choruses are more likely to participate in sports and other extracurricular activities.
• Better life skills: Parents report that children with choral experience have more advanced social skills, are better team players, are better able to manage their emotions, and have qualities that support learning and development.

The report also warns that the decline of choral opportunities for children is a key area of concern. More than 25 percent of teachers and 20 percent of parents say there are no choral opportunities available. Many children who stop singing stop because their choral programs have been discontinued.

Executive summary (pdf)  |  Read the full report (pdf)  |  More about Chorus America