Boston Children's Chorus

Last updated
Boston Children's Chorus
Also known asBCC
OriginBoston
Years active2003 (2003)-
Members300+
Websitewww.bostonchildrenschorus.org

Boston Children's Chorus (BCC) is composed of over 300 singers from 11 choirs in over eight locations around Boston. BCC believes in music as a powerful tool to build connection, cultivate joy, and lift up powerful messages that inspire us to make a positive impact in our world. Founded in 2003, BCC has performed all over the world in countries such as Japan, Mexico, Australia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Jordan, the Czech Republic, Germany and the United Kingdom. In addition, BCC has received critical acclaim for its music [1] and hosts Boston's Martin Luther King Jr. annual celebration at Symphony Hall, Boston. This concert has featured guests such as Lou Gossett Jr, Patti Austin, [2] Melinda Doolittle, Cindy Blackman Santana, Leslie Odom Jr., Dom Flemons and Roomful of Teeth and has been televised nationally.

Contents

Founding

BCC was founded by Boston civic leader, Hubie Jones. [3] In 2001, Jones experienced a performance by the nationally renowned Chicago Children's Choir, and returned [4] to Boston determined to replicate the program, [5] as there were no organizations in Boston that effectively combined a mission for artistic excellence with an agenda for social change. [6] He gathered the support of civic leaders and, after a year of planning and pilot projects, the Boston Children's Chorus was launched in October 2003. [7]

Growth

Since BCC's inception, the programs have grown rapidly. In 2003 under the leadership of Founding Artistic Director Darren Dailey, sixty-five (65) children were accepted into the initial pilot program. Over 300 singers represent over 100 different zip codes from Greater Boston's urban and suburban neighborhoods. The program spans eleven different choirs in eight Boston locations: Dorchester,East Boston, Jamaica Plain, South End, Roxbury, Allston/Brighton, and Hyde Park.

The 2012-2013 season represented 10 Years of Harmony [8] for the organization, during which the chorus had its biggest sell-out concert [9] at its winter concert at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.

In April 2013, the State of Massachusetts called on BCC to aid in the healing process of Boston in the wake of the tragic events at the Boston Marathon of 2013. The chorus joined with President Barack Obama, first responders and others as they sang [10] to a national audience at the Interfaith Service in Boston's South End. [11] In 2014, BCC performed at the Boston Marathon anniversary observances on April 15 in Boston.

The 2013 season ended with a World Premiere performance of "A Boy Called King" at the Institute of Contemporary Art by composer Daniel Bernard Roumain, and a tours Southeast Asia.
[12]

The 2018-2018 season was the 15th anniversary of the chorus and had all 13 choirs perform in their famous MLK concert at Symphony Hall, Boston.

Leadership

Darren Dailey was the Founding Artistic Director from 2003-2006. Darren is a graduate of Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ, where he earned a Bachelor's in Music Education(voice) and Appalachian State University, where he completed his Master's in Choral Directing.

Anthony Trecek-King served BCC as Artistic Director from 2006-2015. The BCC Board of Directors appointed him as President and Artistic Director and the leader of the organization in 2015. He led the BCC as President and Artistic Director until his departure in 2020. Anthony is a graduate of University of Nebraska at Omaha, where he earned a Bachelor's in Cello Performance and Florida State University, where he completed his Master's in Orchestral Conducting. [13] In 2015 he received his Doctorate in Choral Conducting from Boston University.

Kenneth Griffith was named BCC's Music Director in 2023. Kenneth holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Capital University and a Masters in Music in Choral Conducting from Bard College.

Musical program

BCC's 300 singers comprise 11 choirs in eight different locations. In addition to the 6-8 self-produced concerts in venues such as Boston Symphony Hall, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and the Institute for Contemporary Art/Boston, BCC also tours internationally and has performed in Japan, Mexico, Australia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Germany, England, Jordan, and Australia. BCC has also appeared on National Public Radio's From the Top.

The organization and its singers, called Ambassadors of Harmony by the Boston Globe ., [14] have garnered critical acclaim. BCC is a 2011 recipient of the Margaret Hillis Award by Chorus America, [15] recognizing BCC for artistic and organizational excellence and a commitment to outreach, education, and/or culturally diverse activities. The organization was chosen as a 2011, 2012, 2013 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award. Finalist [16] by the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities.

In 2013, BCC was awarded the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards by First Lady Michelle Obama for its exemplary after school youth arts program. [17]

The 11 choirs are:

Training Level

Intermediate Level

Upper Choir Level

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American Boychoir School</span> Private, non-sectarian boarding school in Princeton, New Jersey, United States

The American Boychoir School was a boarding/day middle school located in Princeton, New Jersey, and the home of the American Boychoir. The school originated as the Columbus Boychoir in Columbus, Ohio. In 1950, the school relocated after receiving property in Princeton, New Jersey from the Lambert estate. The relocated school was renamed the American Boychoir School. It remained in this location until the sale of Albemarle in 2012. The school served boys in grades 4–8, many of whom came from across the United States and from many countries. It was one of only two boychoir boarding schools in the United States, the other being Saint Thomas Choir School in New York City. The school provided opportunity to boys from across the world to experience the rich world of music. The Boychoir toured across the contiguous United States, through Canada, as well as internationally, allowing students to gain diverse cultural perspective while performing at the professional level. The American Boychoir performed with numerous orchestras, frequently including the New York Philharmonic as well as the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra.

Los Angeles Children's Chorus (LACC) is a children's choral youth organization based in Los Angeles. LACC has appeared in more than 300 performances with such organizations as the Los Angeles Opera, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Los Angeles Master Chorale, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, and Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra.

Eugene Concert Choir is a choral masterworks organization in Eugene, Oregon, that consists of three performing ensembles: the 100-voice Eugene Concert Choir (ECC), the 36-voice chamber choir Eugene Vocal Arts (EVA), and the associated professional chamber orchestra Eugene Concert Orchestra.

Pacific Chorale, founded in 1968, is a professional chorus performing in Costa Mesa, California at the Renée and Henry Segerstom Concert Hall at Segerstrom Center for the Arts.

The Toronto Children's Chorus (TCC) is a children's choir based in Toronto. It was founded in 1978 by Jean Ashworth Bartle. The group has close to 350 members aged 6 to 30.

The Saint Louis Chamber Chorus is a large chamber choir, numbering 45 – 50 mixed voices, that presents seasons of six programs performed in St. Louis, Missouri, in venues of historic and/or architectural note. It generally performs without instrumental accompaniment and is well suited to repertoire for double choir and more. Each season includes 50 complete works or more, and generally in the original language. Since pieces are rarely repeated from season to season, the choir enjoys one of the largest repertoires for a choir of its type and size. A complete listing of works sung throughout its history is found on the Chorus website. The choir has long been identified as an advocate for contemporary music, and has championed several women composers, particularly through its Composer-in-Residence program.

The Vivace Youth Chorus of San Jose is a choral program for children from ages four to eighteen. Youth from throughout the Silicon Valley participate in six program levels. The chorus offers a well-rounded program that balances vocal training, music theory, and performances. Upper choir levels take part in choral festivals and tours. Choristers gain exposure to various musical genres, from traditional folk to classical, jazz, and contemporary. The chorus collaborates with area composers and musicians, as well as with other ensembles, including Opera San Jose and San Jose Symphonic Choir.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Masterworks Chorale</span> Choral ensemble based in San Mateo, California

Masterworks Chorale is a choral ensemble based in San Mateo, California.

The Choral Arts Society of Washington is a major choral organization based in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1965 by Norman Scribner, it is regarded as one of the premier symphonic choruses in the United States. The Choral Arts Society of Washington consists of three vocal ensembles; the Choral Arts Chorus, the Choral Arts Chamber Singers, and the Choral Arts Youth Choir.

The Zamir Chorale of Boston, founded in 1969, is a choral group that performs Jewish liturgical pieces, major classical works, music of the Holocaust, newly commissioned compositions, and Israeli, Yiddish, and Ladino folksongs. Zamir has been recognized by American Record Guide as “America’s foremost Jewish choral ensemble.” The documentary film Zamir: Jewish Voices Return to Poland, about the Chorale’s 1999 trip to Eastern Europe, was shown across the country on public television stations. Rose of Sharon Winter, Rovi, of The New York Times, called the film “an unforgettable video experience.”

The City Choir of Washington is a 140-member professional-level volunteer mixed symphonic choir in Washington, D.C. composed of singers from throughout the Washington metropolitan area. The chorus is led by its artistic director Erin Freeman. Ms. Freeman joins the City Choir following a two year search after the announcement in 2019 by Bob Shafer of his plan to retire. She was formerly the Artistic Director of the Richmond Symphony Chorus and continues as the Artistic Director of the Wintergreen Music Festival. Bob Shafer has been named Artistic Director Emeritus of the City Choir of Washington.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Burton (conductor)</span> British conductor and composer

James Burton is a British conductor and composer. He is currently the Boston Symphony Orchestra Choral Director and Conductor of the Tanglewood Festival Chorus. He also holds the position of Director of Orchestral Activities and Master Lecturer in Music at Boston University.

Choirs and choruses based in Colorado

The Oakville Children's Choir is an internationally recognized multi-level community children’s choir that provides children in the Oakville, Ontario community with music education, leadership development and performance opportunities. The organization has six choirs composed of children between the ages of 5 and 18, under the artistic direction of Sarah Morrison.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Children's Chorus of San Antonio</span> Musical artist

In 1983, Marguerite McCormick founded the Children’s Chorus of San Antonio. The organization runs eight core ensembles, one of which is in special collaboration with the Boys and Girls Clubs, as well as an extensive early-childhood music and movement program for babies and toddlers called Music Together.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Julian Wachner</span> American classical composer

Julian James Wachner is an American composer, conductor, and keyboardist. From 2011 to 2022, he served as the Director of Music and the Arts at Trinity Wall Street, conducting the Choir of Trinity Wall Street, the Trinity Baroque Orchestra, and NOVUS NY. Wachner recorded five albums with these ensembles, primarily for the Musica Omnia label. From 2008 to 2017, he served as the Director of The Washington Chorus. In March 2018, Wachner was named Artistic Director of the Grand Rapids Bach Festival, an affiliate of the Grand Rapids Symphony, in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Berks Youth Chorus (BYC), originally named the Berks Classical Children’s Chorus, is a children’s and youth chorus based in Reading, Pennsylvania, that performs classical, contemporary, and popular music. Singers are in grades three through twelve, and come from Berks and neighboring counties. The group was founded in 1992 by Donald Hinkle, and was led by Executive Director Dail Richie from 1997 to 2020. The current Executive and Artistic Director is Sam Barge. The organization has received various accolades, and provides a valuable resource for music performance, education and advocacy throughout Berks County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Houston Chamber Choir</span>

The Houston Chamber Choir is a professional chamber choir based in Houston, Texas. It was founded in 1995 by Artistic Director Robert Simpson. The ensemble regularly presents a five-concert series of diverse, innovative choral programming throughout the Houston region. They have appeared nationally at the American Choral Directors Association convention, the Chorus America convention, Spoleto Festival USA, Trinity Church in Manhattan, and Yale University. The choir has also has toured internationally in Mexico and Wales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Children's Chorus</span> American choir

wp:soap

The Tucson Girls Chorus is a girls' choir based in Tucson, Arizona. Founded in 1984, the non-profit organization accommodates girls aged 6 to 18 in six main choirs and numerous satellite choirs in low-income communities. Chorus members perform locally, nationally, and internationally. The chorus has released several CDs. In 2017, the organization opened the city's first public choir for girls and boys with special needs.

References

  1. Sammut, Andrew J. (2012-06-12). "We Interrupt the Death of Classical Music to Bring You Children Singing | The Pop of Yestercentury". Yestercenturypop.com. Retrieved 2013-10-01.
  2. "Grammy Winner Patti Austin, ADPublishing.org and XtremeSignPost Embark on Million Mentor March". Over My Shoulder Foundation. Retrieved 2013-10-01.
  3. "Hubie Jones' Purpose-Driven Life". Bu.edu. 20 January 2011. Retrieved 2013-10-01.
  4. James H. Burnett III. "Hubie Jones, Boston's bridge between past and present, black and white". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
  5. "Hubert Jones". Encore.org. Archived from the original on 2013-10-04. Retrieved 2013-10-01.
  6. "Boston Children's Chorus honors legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. - The Boston Globe". Boston.com. 2008-01-20. Retrieved 2013-10-01.
  7. Long, Chrissie (2008-12-29). "Newton resident bridges social divide through music - Dedham, Massachusetts - The Dedham Transcript". Dailynewstranscript.com. Archived from the original on 2013-10-04. Retrieved 2013-10-01.
  8. Lamere, Laura. "MLK Tribute by Boston Children's Chorus". Laura Lamere. Archived from the original on 2013-10-23. Retrieved 2013-10-01.
  9. Connolly, John (2012-12-10). "Boston Children's Chorus Gives Gift of Song: More Than 1600 Attend Holiday Concert - Announcements - South End, MA Patch". Southend.patch.com. Archived from the original on 2013-10-23. Retrieved 2013-10-01.
  10. "President Obama at interfaith service pledges that Boston 'will finish the race' - Metro". The Boston Globe . 2013-04-19. Retrieved 2013-10-01.
  11. "VIDEO – Children's Chorus Performs "Up to the Mountain" - Western Massachusetts Breaking News and First Warning Weather with WGGB.com ABC 40". Wggb.com. 2013-04-18. Archived from the original on 2013-10-03. Retrieved 2013-10-01.
  12. "Boston Children's chorus to perform in Viet Nam — Vietnam Breaking News". Vietnambreakingnews.com. 2013-03-20. Retrieved 2013-10-01.
  13. "Anthony Trecek-King - Style". The Boston Globe . 2012-09-14. Retrieved 2013-10-01.
  14. "/ News / Boston Globe / Opinion / Editorials / Ambassadors of harmony". Boston.com. 2004-01-17. Retrieved 2013-10-01.
  15. "Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence". Chorus America. Retrieved 2013-10-01.
  16. "Massachusetts Cultural Council | Creative Minds". Massculturalcouncil.org. 2011-11-02. Archived from the original on 2013-10-04. Retrieved 2013-10-01.
  17. "Chelsea Teenager at White House Today Accepting Award for Boston Children's Chorus". Boston.com. Retrieved 2013-12-03.