Cora Voce (Chorus of Voices), a Tacoma-based ensemble of 50 singers, is awarding two program-building grants of $4,000 each to two elementary music programs in South Kitsap: the East Port Orchard Elementary’s music program, under the direction of Katie Olson, and Sunnslope Elementary’s music program, under the direction of Jennifer Meadows. Olson plans to use her grant money to purchase choral music and enhancements to music classroom equipment. Meadows plans to use her grant to purchase new choral risers.

As part of the grant, each choir is invited to perform with Cora Voce on one of its three annual choral series. East Port Orchard will perform at the Nov. 22 holiday-themed concert in Bremerton, while Sunnyslope will perform at the May 1 Celtic-themed concert on Fox Island.

Cora Voce’s artistic director, Randy Spitzer and his wife Laurie Spitzer, both retired music teachers, work with each choir throughout the year to help them enhance their singing skills.

Founded in 2003, Cora Voce’s mission has been to inspire, enrich and educate. For the past several years, the choir has awarded scholarships to college-bound singers. Last year, the choir added a grant program for school programs, awarding $7,500 to the Vaughn Elementary music program in Gig Harbor under the direction of Lisa Mills.

“Besides performing high-quality choral music, or goal is to build community with our members, our audiences and our community stakeholders. We aim to present performances that inspire the soul, enrich the lives of our members and our audiences, and educate young aspiring musicians. We are delighted that, through the generosity of our donors, we are able to support local choral music programs. It is our hope that these young musicians will become the next generation of choral singers,” Randy Spitzer, executive director/artistic director, said.