Boston Children's Chorus

Boston Children's Chorus (BCC) is composed of over 500 singers from 13 choirs in over five locations around Boston. Its mission is to address the social problems of Boston's children and communities. 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 New England Conservatory's Jordan Hall. 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. BCC's believes in the transformative power of music as a tool for social bridging. Its program focuses on providing children with a comprehensive music education and strong diverse youth leadership.

Boston Children's Chorus
Also known asBCC
OriginBoston
Years active2003 (2003)-
Websitewww.bostonchildrenschorus.org
Members500+

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, and now counts more than 500 singers who represent over 150 different zip codes from Greater Boston's urban and suburban neighborhoods. The program spans thirteen different choirs in five Boston locations: the South End, Allston-Brighton, South Boston and Dorchester.

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.

Celeste Wilson joined BCC as Managing Director in October 2015. She works with Anthony to lead the organization and manage all fundraising, marketing and operations.

Social justice

BCC's mission is to harness the power of music to bring together Boston's diverse communities and to inspire social bridging. Through intensive choral training and high-profile performances, BCC singers learn discipline and develop leadership skills. In 2013, BCC won the Business Unusual National Challenge [14] which is allowing the organization further develop its social curriculum for creative social integration.

Musical program

BCC's 500 singers comprise 13 choirs in five different locations. In addition to the 6-8 self-produced concerts in venues such as New England Conservatory's Jordan 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 and Jordan. 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.,[15] have garnered critical acclaim. BCC is a 2011 recipient of the Margaret Hillis Award by Chorus America,[16] 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[17] 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.[18]

The 13 choirs are:

Training Level

  • Central Training
  • Dorchester Advanced Training
  • Roxbury Training
  • South Boston Training
  • West End House Training

Intermediate Level

  • Central Intermediate
  • Central Intermediate Advanced
  • Dorchester Intermediate
  • Choral Union
  • Jr. Men's Ensemble

Advanced Level

  • Concert Choir
  • Premier Choir
  • Young Men's Ensemble
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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. 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. "Challenge". Artsfwd.org. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
  15. "/ News / Boston Globe / Opinion / Editorials / Ambassadors of harmony". Boston.com. 2004-01-17. Retrieved 2013-10-01.
  16. "Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence". Chorus America. Retrieved 2013-10-01.
  17. "Massachusetts Cultural Council | Creative Minds". Massculturalcouncil.org. 2011-11-02. Archived from the original on 2013-10-04. Retrieved 2013-10-01.
  18. "Chelsea Teenager at White House Today Accepting Award for Boston Children's Chorus". Boston.com. Retrieved 2013-12-03.
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