WELCOME TO RPM VOICES OF RHODE ISLAND

 

OUR MISSION

RPM Voices of Rhode Island's mission is to create a musical space for all voices to participate in the African American choral tradition through an ongoing experiential education cycle of instruction and performance.

 

FOUNDERS’ VISION

United in musical and cultural education, RPM seeks to demonstrate a community of harmony and inclusion where all are welcomed and all are valued.

 

WHO WE ARE

RPM Voices of Rhode Island is a non-profit 501(c) (3) arts organization. We offer an experiential educational curriculum committed to the preservation of African American folk traditions and cultural expressions as preserved through choral music. Founded by Dr. Clarice LaVerne Thompson, Artistic Director, and Shaunne N. Thomas, RPM Voices began through the efforts of Dr. Thompson, who offered the first Choral Music workshop during the winter of 2003 on the campus of Brown University. The first workshop chorus, originally called the RPM Singers, later became RPM Voices of Rhode Island and received non-profit status in 2010.

 

WHAT WE DO

Since 2009, RPM Voices of Rhode Island has offered two workshops each year, an intensive two-to three-week SUMMER CHORAL & GOSPEL MUSIC WORKSHOP and an intensive one-week WINTER CHORAL MUSIC WORKSHOP.  During the summer we also offer workshop sessions specially designed for YOUTH VOICES and INSTRUMENTAL VOICES (Band & Orchestra instruments). Upon the conclusion of our workshops, we produce a concert presentation which represents the music learned in the respective workshop. RPM Voices of Rhode Island is not a year-round performing chorus. We are a chorus generated by an educational curriculum, the RPM Choral Music Workshop.  Under special circumstances, performances and appearances have been made for various local community programs in universities or houses of worship, events sponsored by Rhode Island cities, and Rhode Island state-sponsored events. Our workshops are accessible to all people regardless of musical experience.