Mark Bennett conducts the Harvard Pro Musica singers in a warm-up exercise. (Photo by Lisa Aciukewicz)

Harvard Pro Musica was founded in 1969 by 18 singers. Today, its ranks have swollen to 35 to 40 members from Harvard, Acton, Ayer, Boxborough, and other towns. It is an example of what director Mark Bennett calls an “explosion of arts activities”: in these high-tech times, people are returning to the hallowed traditions of music, of connection and transcendence.

Interviewed recently, member Micki Van Horn said she sang in high school, and later in a church choir. In 1991 she joined Harvard Pro Musica. She has seen a string of impressive directors, including Ray Bowens, a professional tenor. She spoke simply and powerfully of the open doors of Harvard Pro Musica: “They accept people who want to come and sing.” Not that it will be easy: she also mentioned how Bennett searches far and wide for interesting and challenging music selections for his singers. The group’s repertoire in the past few years has included a 14th-century Irish carol, a 16th-century Spanish song, Brahms, Praetorius, and Verdi. Some are performed a cappella and others with a full orchestra. Van Horn spoke of an effort underway to reconnect with old stalwarts from the choral group, and to kick-start their enthusiasm for their old pastime. Whereas some music directors are real sticklers for tradition and will not allow women to sing tenor parts, Harvard Pro Musica is a looser place and embraces unconventional voices.

Eleanor Toth said she joined in 1983, when the original director, Ray Ackerman—who led the group for 19 years—was still at the helm. She vividly remembers that a friend already in the group said, “Do you feel like a challenge?” She accepted the challenge. Toth spoke of singing as a surprisingly intense form of exercise and a real tonic to the spirit. She enjoys singing in both the bigger group and as a member of a quartet, she said.

Member Angela Gaffney and Harvard Pro Musica President Joe Gaffney exemplify the youthful spirit and energy that Harvard Pro Musica has begun to attract. Relative newcomers to Harvard, they are struck by the plethora of artistic outlets, of opportunities to engage with others, that are offered in the town. Joe, a Dorchester native who grew up listening to traditional Irish music, pointed out that this community engagement is a defining trait of New England. The couple emphasized that “a willingness to sing” is the only requirement to join. “The group offers a way to shut out distractions and invent something with other people,” Joe said, adding that he and his wife leave rehearsals feeling refreshed and reinvigorated.

Over the course of 13 to 17 rehearsal sessions, the group progresses from chaos to cohesion as the singers gain confidence with the material and their delivery tightens. Singing in German, French, Latin, Spanish, and Italian can be difficult, but Joe described the effort everyone puts into understanding the lyrics; this allows for a greater emotional connection the music. Angela , a theater major, summed it up perfectly: “Everyone should have the experience, sometime in their life, of performing live.”

Asked what draws people to Harvard Pro Musica, Bennett spoke of a “communication at a level beyond verbal,” of the power of music to “transcend the quantifiable.”

Irl Smith, Joe Gaffney, and Paul Garver practice their part. (Photo by Lisa Aciukewicz)

“People join the group out of a desire to connect with people more significantly than our technology-laden age often allows,” he continued. “We are more separated, more isolated than ever, despite our cell phones and Internet; music provides that ‘something missing.’”

Bennett is humble about his role. He creates the conditions for magic to occur; the singers are the ones who fly with the music. However, past and current members agree that under his tutelage, Harvard Pro Musica has made great progress.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Harvard Pro Musica, 40 years of offering a unique hybrid of accessibility and professionalism, a chance to reconnect with music in the most visceral sense. Nothing about Harvard Pro Musica is static. It has always offered, and will continue to offer, a wide range of music and talent and opportunities. Always looking for new members, the group also seeks to collaborate more in the future with other area choruses, such as Nashoba Valley Chorale—raising the prospect of more than 100 voices lifted in song.

Harvard Pro Musica is currently preparing for its “Bach to Bach” concert, to be held at St. Matthew’s Church in Acton during first weekend in May. More information, including media, photos, and rehearsal times, is available at www.harvardpromusica.org.