All eyes were on Matthew Quinn, standing slightly elevated on a platform at the front of the room. The resonance of a modulating, humming vocal warmup exercise increased in intensity until one could feel it vibrating their skin. Together, the group ascended and descended scales in search of perfect harmony.

Despite the variety within the some 90 singers’ ages, genders, backgrounds, and levels of technical skill, there was a profound feeling of togetherness; of distinct voices forming together as one.

“Studies have shown that when singers are in chorus rehearsals together, their heartbeats actually synchronize at the same pace,” Quinn said. “I don’t know if it’s the tempo or the ambiance of it. It’s really special.”

Appreciating the special feeling generated by singing together as a group is what has driven Quinn, an East Providence native who has made their living through song, to ascend to the position as the second-ever musical director of the Chorus of East Providence — a group that started with a simple hope and a prayer to salvage a chorus group in the region, and in the 20 years since has nearly doubled in participation.

For 19 years the group was led by Beth Armstrong, who retired over the summer. Quinn — who credits a childhood singing Disney classics, David Bowie, and the Beatles with their family as a foundational pillar of their love for music — wound up in a position they never imagined when they were first cultivating their passion for music as a member of the Riverside Middle School chorus.

“It’s really a full circle,” they said. “I never was expecting this, but I’m really grateful that it happened.”

The rapid ascension to leading the group began for Quinn after they and best friend, Nicole Wallace, decided to join the Chorus of East Providence simply out of curiosity a year or so ago.

“Nicole and I had always sung together. Friends for life, that sort of thing. She had been missing choral music…and I said I really want to help you get back into singing. Why don’t we see what the Chorus of East Providence is all about?” Quinn said. “At that first rehearsal, I found out Beth was retiring. And I thought, where do I apply?”

Youthful energy

Quinn became the chorus’s second music director following Armstrong’s retirement, and has been acclimating to the leadership position since. They said they have been pleasantly surprised by how well the chorus is run by its board of directors.

“The board is incredible,” Quinn said. “I really only have to do the music part, which is really fun for me because I don’t have to wear quite as many hats as maybe other directors do at other choruses. I can really just hone in on the music.”

And something else exciting is happening for the chorus, too. Under the leadership of the youthful Quinn (who graduated from East Providence High School in 2007), the chorus is seeing more participation from a variety of ages; and a boost of membership as well, from 55 when it began to 93 members today.

“When Nicole and I joined we were some of the youngest members, and now the age range is really vast. We have singers in their 80s and a few high school singers that have joined as well,” Quinn said. “It seems to be that we are getting a little younger, which is fun and exciting.”

The pitch to join the chorus is quite simple, Quinn said, as one would be hard-pressed to find a more accepting space for joyful expression.

“We are a non-audition chorus and we invite anyone from any background,” they said. “We have people here who are pro musicians and we have people who have never sung with a group in their life. So that dynamic is always fun.”

The current mission for Quinn is to get the group ready for their holiday concert, happening Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 6 at 2 p.m. at East Providence High School. The chorus will be performing a set of songs from well-known holiday films such as The Polar Express, Home Alone, Charlie Brown Christmas, and Elf.

“Not necessarily all Christmas songs, just nice, really feel good music associated with the holidays,” Quinn said.

Although Quinn has two other jobs, including a full-time gig teaching elementary school music at Atlantis Charter School and as a bass section leader within Providence’s Central Congregation Church, finding time to prepare the Chorus of East Providence and stretch into their new role here has been no burden.

“It’s extra work, but it’s work that I love doing,” Quinn said. “Even on those days where I have to really put in the hours studying music or ordering music or preparing the recordings, I still never feel burnt out. I still love it.”

Quinn reminded anyone interested that you don’t need to be from East Providence, or anywhere nearby that is, to join in the fun.

“We have people not just from East Providence, but people all over the state come. For people who miss singing, who had a great high school chorus experience, there’s a place for you here,” they said. “If there’s something missing in your life that you remember, if you love singing and you’re looking for something to do, maybe it’s time to think about it.”