Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Trustees
55th Season, 2025-2026
DRAFT Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Providence Singers
Held via ZOOM
May 11, 2026
(This draft has not yet been reviewed and accepted by the Board of Trustees. The vote will be taken at the September, 2026 meeting.)
In Attendance:
Mell Roca, Chair. Members: Josh Krugman, Bradford Louison, Terry Karaniuk, Allison Picard, Matt Anderson, Mark Boyd, Alexa MacMullen, James Burress, Alex Dowgiallo, Mary Anne Moeller, Jenica Conley, Andrew Broten, Bruce Ruby, and Connor Shirshac. Elaine Cunningham, Christine Noel, ex officio.
The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. A motion to allow the minutes of the meeting of March 23, 2026, was made, seconded and unanimously approved.
Artistic Director’s Report:
Dr. Noel discussed the work the Singers are doing on “the wonderful program coming up with its challenging music.” She described having a healthy number of new member inquiries for next season. She believes therefore that here will be a good number of singers for next season’s Messiah and Missa Solemnis.
Executive Director’s Report:
Ms. Cunningham discussed working on next season's program and how she is currently seeking a bluegrass band for the November 2026 concert. She is sending e-vites to those who previously attended the concerts at Saint Mary's of the Bay and working on promotions and fundraising.
Budget and Finance Committee:
Mr. Burress requested that Ms. Cunningham review for the Board the current figures and the provisional budget for fiscal year 2027. Ms. Cunningham discussed that the 2027 concert at Waterfire, A Passion for the Planet, has an estimated $36,000 cost. The expenses include a 12-piece orchestra, a venue price increase, and the cost for chair rental and setting up. She requested that money from the Fidelity Money Market account be used for this program. She described being moderately confident on receiving the grants which are budgeted as well as for advertising and sponsorship revenue. She will be seeking more corporate sponsorships for the March 2027 A Passion for the Planet program. There is a proposed deficit of approximately $15,000.00 budgeted for the concert based on an estimated sale of five hundred tickets at an average cost of $35.00 per ticket. The final budget will be introduced to the Board for approval in September. Mr. Burress asked when the Finance Committee will be able to review the financial documents from the new CPA. Those documents have not yet been received. His inquiry is based on the provision of the newly enacted bylaw for committee review of the financials.
The RIPHIL is increasing the Carter Center rent by approximately 20% and there was a discussion by the Board about the increase and the Board’s response to it. Dr. Noel discussed moving the RI Children’s Chorus from the Carter Center next year because of the rent increase and because of the location, which is not convenient for many of that group’s members. Dr. Noel has a possible different location in mind, which is both more convenient for the members of the Children’s Chorus and less expensive. Dr. Noel said that the rehearsal room is an excellent space with good acoustics and a well-maintained grand piano. A discussion of the strategy of how to approach the RIPHIL with regards to the rent increase.
Resource Development Committee:
Mr. Krugman told the Board that this year's 401Gives receipts were the best ever, with the Singer’s receiving $11,000 in donations which along with the match, totaled $16,000.00. Mr. Krugman discussed creating a new endowment fund committee to include former singer Mark Nichols.
Governance Committee:
Ms. Picard identified the board members whose terms are expiring. (Messrs. Burress and Krugman and Ms. Britto). Marc Boyd agreed to stay on for another term. Ms. Picard proposed two candidates for trusteeships and asked for the board's approval for; Jodie Glass, a retired audiologist, and Jan Breidenbach, a music educator and former member of the Singers. Motions to approve the two candidates for positions as trustees were made, seconded and unanimously approved.
Personnel Committee:
Mr. Anderson indicated that the committee had no new business to discuss at this time.
NEW BUSINESS
Ms. Picard discussed the creation of a Strategy Committee which could include trustees and non-trustees and asked the membership for recommendations for membership. Ms. Cunningham asked if the board wanted to have a Gala next season. The last Gala was three years ago. A discussion ensued about the financial need for a Gala and the timing of such an event due to the work required to prepare for next spring’s challenging Missa Solemnis. Dr. Noel discussed the possibility of having outside soloists perform at a Gala rather than members of the Singers. Chair Roca discussed the possibility of having a members’ social gathering in addition to the potluck dinners that are held prior to rehearsals. Dr. Noel thought that section gatherings might be better than one for the entire chorus.
At 8:02 p.m., upon motion duly made and seconded, it was moved that the Board of Trustees go into executive session. The Board did not reconvene in Open Meeting after the Executive Session and the Meeting was adjourned at 8:04 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
/s/ Brad Louison
Bradford N. Louison, Secretary
May 18, 2026
ADDENDUM:
Since no vote was taken on May 11 to approve the Provisional Budget or Matthew Anderson's appointment to the Treasurer's role, an online survey was established to take a vote. Mr. Anderson requested Board approval to a small change to the Providence Singers' Chart of Accounts that will move Venue Rents from the Rent category to Productions Expenses, which will help clarify individual concert budgets.
All three items were unanimously approved.
ec
Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Providence Singers
Held via ZOOM
March 23, 2026
In Attendance:
Mell Roca, Chair. Members: Bradford Louison, Terry Karaniuk, Allison Picard, Matt Anderson, Mark Boyd, Alexa MacMullen, James Burress, Camilla Britto, Alex Dowgiallo, Mary Anne Moeller, Jenica Conley, Andrew Broten, Bruce Ruby, and Connor Shirshac. Elaine Cunningham, Christine Noel, ex officio.
The meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m. A motion to allow the minutes of the meeting of December 1, 2025 was made, seconded and unanimously approved.
Artistic Director’s Report:
Dr. Noel discussed Saint Mary of the Bay as a venue for the May Saturday evening concert and the November 2026 program. The dress rehearsals for those concerts will be conducted at the Carter Center. The recently concluded performance of Carmina Burana was excellent with energy, excitement, and sheer joy. The current repertoire for the upcoming May program is more complex and musically stimulating.
Next season's program includes the November 2026 concert celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States. The Singers will be performing The World Beloved, A Bluegrass Mass, performed with a bluegrass band, and arrangements of American folk songs. In December, Handel’s Messiah will be performed with the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra and Dr. Noel will conduct. The March 2027 concert, A Passion for the Planet, will be performed at the WaterFire Arts Center. Dr. Noel is continuing to work with nonprofits from the community for the performance. Also in 2027 will be our performance of Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis with the RIPHIL, Ruth Reinhardt conducting.
Executive Director’s Report:
Ms. Cunningham discussed the Carmina Burana profit and loss statement and the adjustments to it as a result of increased crew costs and the receipt of two program grants. Tickets for the performance totaled just under 500. Ms. Cunningham discussed that we will be using another ticket service other than Eventbrite in the future. The year-to-date profit and loss was discussed including projected revenues, grants, contributions, and donations. The May concert conflicts with the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra Gala. She discussed the costs for music scores and commissions. A discussion ensued about the status of the commissions and how the poetry and the music were put together for our upcoming commission.
COMMITTEE UPDATES
Budget and Finance Committee:
In addition to Ms. Cunningham's report, which Mr. Burris adopted as the committees’ own, the committee will be meeting regarding the audit review.
Resource Development Committee:
An e-mail from Mr. Krugman was discussed where he mentioned the 401 Gives program and the matching grants for the first $5000. Not all the pledges have been received from the trustees, and we are seeking 100% participation. Although there is no penalty for not having 100% participation from trustees, it is particularly helpful in obtaining grants. The United Way of Rhode Island verifies trustee participation. Mr. Shirshac thanked Ms. Cunningham for sending the postcards to the 401 Gives donors. Mr. Dowgiallo mentioned the competition amongst the vocal sections for participation in 401 Gives.
Governance Committee:
Ms. Picard listed those trustees who will soon be finishing their terms. She discussed the need to have 14 voting members and is looking for candidates for the voting positions and for the new young member positions. Ms. Picard discussed the desire to fill the vacant position of Acting Chair. A motion to allow the committee to fill the Acting Chair position was made, seconded and allowed.
Personnel Committee:
Mr. Anderson said that everything was proceeding smoothly with the personnel committee. Chair Roca stated how well-liked Graham is as the accompanist and as the substitute director.
In other matters, there was a discussion about revisiting the dress code for the chorus as a whole and about adding to the numbers of the vocal sections.
At 7:49 PM a motion to enter into Executive Session was made, seconded and allowed. Thereafter a motion to adjourn the Trustees meeting was made, seconded and unanimously allowed, and the meeting was adjourned at 7:51 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
/s/ Brad Louison
Bradford N. Louison, Secretary
April 1, 2026
Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Providence Singers
Held via ZOOM
December 1, 2025
In Attendance:
Mell Roca, Chair. Members: Bradford Louison, Allison Picard, Matt Anderson, Alexa MacMullen, James Burress, Josh Krugman, Camilla Britto, Alex Dowgiallo, Mary Anne Moeller, Jenica Conley, Bruce Ruby, Andrew Broten and Connor Shirshac. Elaine Cunningham, Christine Noel, ex officio.
The meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m. A motion to allow the minutes of the September 29, 2025, meeting was made, seconded and unanimously approved.
Artistic Director Report:
Dr. Noel discussed how she is building new relationships with diverse communities. She was pleased at what has been accomplished. Her goal is to build bridges with new communities including the Black community starting with the Lift Every Voice program. We are now seen as an ally with churches and other organizations. The Olney Street Baptist Church included the Lift Every Voice program in their newsletter and announced it at their services. Doctor Noel attended their gospel concert last Sunday and was introduced to all as a friend.
The Singers are now preparing for the Messiah concert with the Rhode Island Philharmonic on December 14th, with approximately 95 to 96 Singers performing.
Mr. Krugman asked if we could consider doing a thematic program yearly. Dr. Noel says she's thinking about that and is looking for other thematic programs similar to Considering Matthew Shepard, Annelies, and Lift Every Voice.
Executive Director Report:
Ms. Cunningham discussed the Singers’ online music. As of the date of this meeting, our YouTube channel has had 87,000 views during 2025. She discussed the attempt to record Messiah with the R.I. Philharmonic. The terms, costs and expenses demanded by the Philharmonic made the project unacceptable.
According to the terms set by the Philharmonic, the Singers would have the rights to post the recording on YouTube for five years, with the possibility of negotiating an extension. The Philharmonic would retain ownership of the recording. The Providence Singers was expected to pay all the costs of recording--musicians fees, a/v technicians, post production costs--plus a $1,300 administration fee to the Philharmonic, plus annual licensing fees and "video storage fees" for the five year period. The total expense was over $8,000, with no guarantee that we would be able to share the video for more than five years. There was no ability for further negotiation with the Philharmonic and therefore the Messiah recording project has ended for now.
The Lift Every Voice performance was recorded by video and audio at Grace Church, but there were technical problems with the video. The audio sound was satisfactory, and it will be posted on YouTube, but the video was so faulty as to be unusable. The Church will give a refund for the video costs.
Carmina Burana tickets went on sale. Ms. Cunningham mentioned that a high school in Arizona is traveling to the East Coast and is seeking a block of tickets for the performance.
Mr. Ruby asked about the problem with the video for Lift Every Voice. Elaine said the church has new software and that there were user and software issues. Mr. Burress asked if there were any further negotiations with the Rhode Island Philharmonic about the Messiah recording and Elaine said no; that the R.I. Phil’s contract with the musicians’ union requires them to retain ownership of videos and limits the time they can be shared.
Dr. Noel told the Board that Saint Mary of the Bay in Warren is unfortunately going to stop hosting concerts. She asked the Church if the Singers could still perform its May concert there based on our verbal agreement, and she is waiting to hear back. Ms. Cunningham is looking for alternative venues. One alternative is the new auditorium at the Barrington Middle School.
COMMITTEE UPDATES
Budget and Finance Committee:
Elaine Cunningham discussed the financials for the Lift Every Voice program. There was a total of 550 attendees for both concerts. She discussed the line items. The transportation for the youth choir was significantly higher than budgeted but there were savings from the costs for the soloists and for the music for the youth choir. As a result, there was a net gain from the program.
Resource Development Committee:
Mr. Krugman said that we are early in the fundraising season. The grants are not in yet, some trustee contributions have been made, and we are awaiting the pledge contributions.
Governance Committee:
Allison Picard said that Mr. Burress and Mr. Krugman’s terms end at the end of the year and Mr. Boyd will stay on for a second term. Mel Rocha said that as this is her last year as the Chair, she was interested in selecting a Chair-Elect and is working on that.
Personnel Committee:
Mr. Anderson discussed the workings of the committee to date and its ongoing efforts.
New Business:
Ms. Rocha said the current strategic plan expires at the end of the 2027 fiscal year and she is thinking about the next strategic plan. Mr. Krugman discussed the process for working on a new strategic plan.
At 7:55 PM a motion to enter executive session was made, seconded and allowed. At 7:56 PM a motion was made to adjourn the regular meeting, which was seconded, allowed unanimously, and the meeting was so adjourned.
Respectfully Submitted,
/s/ Brad Louison
Bradford N. Louison, Secretary
December 4, 2025
Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Providence Singers
Held via ZOOM
September 29, 2025
In Attendance:
Mell Roca, Chair. Members: Bradford Louison, Terry Karaniuk, Allison Picard, Matt Anderson, Mark Boyd, Alexa MacMullen, Lori Andrews, James Burress, Josh Krugman, Camilla Britto, Alex Dowgiallo, Mary Anne Moeller, Jenica Conley, Andrew Broten and Connor Shirshac. Elaine Cunningham, Christine Noel, ex officio. Guest, Bruce Ruby.
The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. A motion to allow the minutes of the May 20, 2025 meeting was made, seconded and unanimously approved.
Noted by the Chair was that at the Singer’s Rehearsal on September 23, 2025, a motion to adopt the proposed amended by-law to provide for the Emerging Leaders Program was made, seconded and unanimously approved by the members present.
Artistic Director Report:
Dr. Noel discussed the Lift Every Voice program scheduled for November, how she's building and fostering community involvement, that she has contacted organizations in the Black community and met with the Refugee Dream Center in Providence. Dr. Noel will be conducting the Rhode Island Children's Chorus at Higher Ground International, a nonprofit organization which provides services to Liberian and West African immigrants.
Executive Director Report
Ms. Cunningham spoke with Jamie Allen from the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra regarding a possible Messiah video recording. She discussed how the Rhode Island Phil, the musicians and the VET need to agree to such a recording. She estimated that it would cost about $5,500.00 for the recording, video and editing and that we have sufficient funds for such programming. The recording was not listed as an item in the FY 2026 budget, but it could be added to the budget, or the funds could be taken from the Fidelity money market account.
Ms. Cunningham stated that the Singers have ample cash, and its investments are in good shape. She discussed the search for a new accountant to perform the organization’s financial review or financial compilation.
Mr. Burress explained the difference between a financial compilation and a financial review vis a vis a full audit. A financial review or compilation is considerably less costly than an audit. To change from a financial review to a compilation requires an amendment to the bylaws. A motion to endorse a proposed bylaw change to add a financial compilation and present it to the membership was made, seconded and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
The renaming of the Wachner Fund for New Music to the Providence Singers Fund for New Music was discussed. A motion on that matter was made, seconded and voted unanimously in the affirmative to make said change.
COMMITTEE UPDATES
Budget and Finance Committee:
Ms. Cunningham took the floor with her report on the FY 26 budget. She indicated that rents increased 20%. Rent items includes both the Carter Center office, the rehearsal room and the concert venues. There was further discussion about the possible video recording of Messiah. The motion to approve the FY 26 budget was made, seconded and approved unanimously. Mr. Burress thanked Elaine Cunningham for all her work on the budget.
Resource Development Committee:
Ms. Cunningham discussed that the next meeting of the committee will be held shortly, and further information will be presented to the board.
Governance Committee:
Miss Picard stated that the committee will be meeting shortly with more information will be presented to the board. She discussed the committee’s consideration of establishing a Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees and discussed the Emerging Leaders Program. She discussed that for various grants, 100% board participation for contributions is necessary. The Leadership Rhode Island matchmaking event will be held on October 7th, and she asked if there were any trustees that would like to attend.
Personnel Committee:
Mr. Anderson stated that the committee will be holding its meeting soon and the committee will present its report at the next meeting.
A motion to enter into Executive Session was made, seconded and unanimously approved. Executive session commenced at 8:03 PM. Upon returning to the regular session a motion was made to adjourn which was seconded and allowed unanimously. The board meeting adjourned at 8:19 PM
Respectfully Submitted,
/s/ Brad Louison
Bradford N. Louison, Secretary
October 3, 2025