Join Us for the 2026 Choral Arts New England Awards Ceremony

Choral Arts New England will host its annual awards ceremony on Sunday, October 4, 2026, at 3:00 PM at Saint David’s Episcopal Church in Gales Ferry, CT. The event will celebrate exemplary contributions to the region’s choral life and recognize recipients of the 2026 Alfred Nash Patterson Grants.

This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Dr. Jamie Spillane, an influential conductor and artistic leader whose work has shaped and strengthened New England’s choral community for decades.

Premiere of Inaugural Hoose Grant winner

"Strange Land" graphic

The premiere performance of the inaugural David Hoose Commissioning Grant winner, Strange Land, will be on September 23, 2026 at 7 pm at the Charles Hayden Planetarium IMAX Theater at the Boston Museum of Science.

Strange Land, composed by Gregory W. Brown setting texts by the poet Todd Hearon is a multi-media work inspired by Revelations chapters eight and nine, which will include etchings by Brian D. Cohen. The performance will be presented by Nightingale Vocal Ensemble, directed by Benjamin Perry, with players from Juventas New Music Ensemble.

We are also pleased to share that there will be a second performance on Thursday, September 24, at 7:30 p.m. at Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, New Hampshire.
We would be delighted to see you at either performance as we celebrate this exciting milestone!

September 23 | 7:30 p.m.
Boston Museum of Science – Charles Hayden Planetarium IMAX Theater
Tickets available here

September 24 | 7:30 p.m.
Phillips Exeter Academy – Exeter, NH
Free and open to the public (limited ticket availability)

Jamie Spillane: 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient

Dr. Jamie Spillane is Director of Choral Studies at the University of Connecticut where he oversees a choral program with seven choirs, directs the UConn Concert Choir and Chamber Singers, and teaches undergraduate through doctoral choral conducting and choral literature classes. Dr. Spillane’s research lies in the study of choral festival music and his articles have appeared in the ACDA Choral Journal.

Announcing the 2026 Alfred Nash Patterson Award Recipients

Choral Arts New England is delighted to announce the funding of 15 project grants totaling $33,000. Award recipients represent choral organizations from five of the six New England states. 

The 2026 Alfred Nash Patterson Grants will be used to fund initiatives to expand choral opportunities across New England, as well as unique performances of pieces that give insight into important perspectives — traditional and contemporary Yiddish music, Alzheimer’s Stories, Trans Requiem, and Anthracite Fields, to name just a few.

Learn about this year’s inspiring award recipients!

“When things don’t seem right … and the news doesn’t feel good … and you’re singing at the top of your lungs, it’s a gift. There’s no downside to being part of a chorus.”
    — Johanna Hill Simpson, 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient