Scholarship Background
The Narragansett Bay Chorus (NBC), founded in 1949, is the Providence, RI Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS). The Chorus performs 4-part a cappella style music, both of the Barbershop style and selected popular songs modified for 4-part harmony. The Chorus regularly rehearses and performs shows throughout the Southern New England area, and competes in BHS-sponsored contests regionally, nationally, and internationally. The Narragansett Bay Chorus is an all-male chorus, but our chapter membership is open to anyone, and we encourage mixed-gender groups.
In early 2021, the NBC board of directors saw an opportunity to add to our musical leadership while at the same time exposing younger musicians and music educators to the Barbershop art form. Having witnessed other BHS chapters successfully implement similar scholarship initiatives, the board authorized the establishment of a $1,000 annual scholarship to be granted to a local college-level student. We had a very successful first year with a student from URI joining us.
Details
The conditions that the board authorized for awarding these scholarships are as follows:
Student should preferably be pursuing a music or music-related degree
Student should ideally have choral experience
Student must be willing to attend NBC weekly rehearsals in North Providence, along with scheduled concerts and contests (on average, 10 per year)
Student must be willing/able to accept some chorus responsibilities (examples: Section leader, assisting the director, assistant to music team)
A successful scholarship recipient can count on the NBC for the following:
Dues for chapter and BHS membership;
Subsidized uniform costs;
Letter of reference from the board of directors after completion of conditions above; and
Award of $1,000 for each academic year that student is awarded the scholarship.
Selection & Announcement
The selection process is straightforward. We are asking potential candidates to fill out an online application. Applications should be submitted no later than September 30, 2023.
Upon receipt of the application, we will invite the candidate to attend one of our Thursday night rehearsals in North Providence (if needed, transportation can be arranged). During the rehearsal, our scholarship committee will conduct an interview with the applicant as well as give the applicant ample opportunity to participate in our rehearsal and ask questions of their own. Our goal is to announce scholarship winners by October 14, 2023.