Our History
History of Boston Singers’ Resource
Boston Singers’ Resource began as a small organization with 85 subscribers in January 2001. It was founded with the awareness that there was previously no support system for New England based classical singers – information was available only to a select few by word of mouth. So the creators of BSR developed programs that would unite and strengthen NE based singers and other regional musicians, as well as programs that educate the community at large about local classical performances.
BSR became a fully incorporated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in February 2005. Since that time, the number of paid subscribers as increased to an average of 500 musicians per year and dozens more visitors access the free BSR web resources each month.
2001
2001
The first BSR website opens to the public after eight months of design.
2002
2002
The first annual audition includes 88 singers and 17 directors.
2005
2005
BSR achieves 501(c)(3) status. The number of BSR auditions increases to three, and D’Anna Fortunato, Susan Ormont, Jeffrey Brody, Beth MacLeod and Dorothy Yanish provide written feedback to performers at the Open Auditions.
2009
2009
Murray Kidd initiates the Boston Singers’ Relief Fund with a Gala concert featuring over 40 professional singers at Church of the Covenant in Boston. The event nets over $7,000.
2015
2015
Margaret Felice is hired as Interim Administrative Director (later Executive Director).
2016
2016
BSR offers its first audition workshop with panelists Dana Lynne Varga, Elaine Crane, Phil Lauriat, Angela Jajko and Thomas Dawkins.
2020
2020
BSR issues over 40 grants to singers who lost work due to COVID-19 through the Boston Singers' Relief Fund.
2021
2021
BSR offers its first "Composers' Lab" concert, in which singers and composers collaborate to generate ideas for new art songs.
2022
2022
BSR releases its Houses of Worship Wage Equity Survey and gives a presentation to the community.
2023
2023
BSR rebrands "Composers' Lab" as "FUSE: Collaborations in Song" in collaboration with Catalyst New Music. Poets are now included in the process.
2023
2023
BSR initiates several new programs, including the No Stress Studio, Boston Singers’ Showcase, and Artist-in-Residence programs. BSR updates mission statement to be more inclusive, to reflect the changing times and priorities of the organization.
2024
2024
Ryan Mewhorter is appointed as the fourth Executive Director at BSR. Brendon Shapiro moves to the new role of Artistic Director, in a new co-leadership model for the organization.
2025
2025
BSR hosts renowned Soprano Erin Morley for a Masterclass and Recital.
Inspired by Our Story?There are many ways to support and connect with BSR today.
There are many ways to support and connect with BSR today.