About Us

The RPM Voices, formerly RPM Singers, was formed in 2003 by Dr. Clarice LaVerne Thompson.  The choir evolves out of a choral music workshop that is offered annually.  Since the first workshop & concert, over 100 voices from the greater Rhode Island community ranging in age from 13 to 94 have come to sing and share musically and culturally.  There is no requirement to have prior music experience, choral or otherwise.  There is only the desire to sing, and learn the basic tenets of sight reading, aural skills and vocal technique in a choral atmosphere.

 

The experiential nature of the RPM Choral Music Workshop cultivates musicality, supports ensemble building, and encourages community fellowship.  This activity foster community enrichment through the social bonds developed, and the cultural barriers crossed and explored.

 

Dr. Clarice LaVerne Thompson is the founder, director, energy and force behind the RPM Voices experience.  Dr. Thompson received her B.A. in Music from Lane College, her Master of Music and Doctor of Arts from the University of Mississippi. Dr. Thompson is a composer/musicologist and teaches at Brown University in the Department of Africana Studies.  She is also the Music Director for Rites and Reason Theatre.   Dr. Thompson has a desire to cultivate a musically literate society believing that music is food that nourishes and nurtures the mind, body and soul.  The activity of music making is the ultimate team activity, the consummate communal assembly, a mass union that begs for all involved to work in concert with one another. 

 

Delbert Leon Collins has been the choral workshop clinician  & choir director since the very first RPM workshop.  Mr. Collins received his B.A. in Music from Lane College, where he  served as the Assistant Choir Director and  accompanist for the Lane College Concert Choir and the College Organist.  Delbert Leon Collins brings to the RPM Voices a skill set and a way of teaching that is unique and effective.  He is able to sing all vocal parts from soprano to bass, in their ranges, teaching through demonstration.  He has been directing choirs and conducting choral music workshops for over fifteen years.

 

RPM Musicians are a dedicated group and on many occasions have donated their time and their music to the success of the RPM Voices programs.  Chester Eugene Williams,  asst choir director, pianist, organist; Lon E Plynton, bass guitar, percussion; Paul Williams, guitar; Paul Austerlitz, tenor saxophone, bass clarinet; Jared Williams, drums