Houston Boychoir
Encyclopedia
The Houston Boychoir is a non-for-profit organization based in Houston, Texas
, which provides voice education for boys of various ages and backgrounds, as well as the opportunity to perform artistically for the public. Houston Boychoir began in 1962 as "The Singing Boys of Houston". They go on one tour at the end of each year.
The performing bodies are constituted by the Chamber Choir and the Preparatory Choir. Most boys go to the Preparatory Choir, while a very small number start in the Chamber Choir.
All singing members, in both groups, wear a uniform when performing. The Preparatory choir's formal attire consists of a button-down, light blue, long sleeve shirt, gray pants, a black belt with a gold buckle, and black shoes. The members of the Chamber Choir distinguish themselves by wearing a dark blue blazer with a white shirt and striped tie.
All boys who want to get in have to submit to the audition process, many of the boys go on to sing at HSPVA. The choir is currently (February 2011) recording a CD, but the release date is unknown.
The Artistic Director is Carole Nelson, who was Executive Director, and has been with the choir since 1991. One of the Music Directors is Holly Holt.
According to Houston Choral Site the mission of Houston Boychoir is to facilitate the musical growth of boys through the development of their special abilities and interests. Through the creative use of music and the arts, boys from all walks of life are brought together in the pursuit of excellence on both an individual basis and through group study. Over the years Houston Boychoir has developed musicianship, discipline, confidence, and a loving understanding of art. It is through this understanding that the choristers grow to accept and appreciate each other; thereby bridging the gap of cultural and socio-economic diversity and producing artistic achievement of the highest standards. The Houston Boychoir's webpage presents an alternate statement.
The non-for-profit organization Friends of Houston Boychoir, Inc. is a public charity which help support the choir's operations.
, including the Opera House at The Rebecca and John J. Moores School of Music, and various churches; the Chamber Boychoir also has performed internationally.
Among the best known annual performances of the Preparatory Boychoir in Houston, "The Candlelight Evening", nearing Christmas, takes place at the Sam Houston Park
, where, in the historic St. John Church built in 1891, the boys wear a more traditional choir attire. December 2010 marked the 48th year of the Houston Heritage Society's Candlelight Evening, event in which the boy choir has participated since its inauguration.
Another annual event is known as the 'Winter Concert' which takes place at the First Presbyterian Church of Houston on 5300 Main Street, Houston. In May 16, 2010, at the Moores Opera House, the Houston Boychoir performed for the 47th consecutive year their 'Spring Concert' . Among other performances, the Prep-Boychoir has travelled to Austin, Texas
to perform next to the Austin Choir, and in January 2011, the Houston Boychoir and the American Boychoir performed at Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church, in Houston; the Directors of both choirs were interviewed on KUHF
fm radio, which has broadcast live performances of the singing boys. The choir performed as a special guest with the Houston Bach Society in April 2011
In 2010, they Chamber Choir visited Philadelphia, which was called the Houston Boychoir Liberty Tour.
The Houston Boychoir (HBC) has sang the "Star Spangled Banner" at several Astros games, and has done the same at a Rockets game in November 2010.
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
, which provides voice education for boys of various ages and backgrounds, as well as the opportunity to perform artistically for the public. Houston Boychoir began in 1962 as "The Singing Boys of Houston". They go on one tour at the end of each year.
The performing bodies are constituted by the Chamber Choir and the Preparatory Choir. Most boys go to the Preparatory Choir, while a very small number start in the Chamber Choir.
All singing members, in both groups, wear a uniform when performing. The Preparatory choir's formal attire consists of a button-down, light blue, long sleeve shirt, gray pants, a black belt with a gold buckle, and black shoes. The members of the Chamber Choir distinguish themselves by wearing a dark blue blazer with a white shirt and striped tie.
All boys who want to get in have to submit to the audition process, many of the boys go on to sing at HSPVA. The choir is currently (February 2011) recording a CD, but the release date is unknown.
The Artistic Director is Carole Nelson, who was Executive Director, and has been with the choir since 1991. One of the Music Directors is Holly Holt.
According to Houston Choral Site the mission of Houston Boychoir is to facilitate the musical growth of boys through the development of their special abilities and interests. Through the creative use of music and the arts, boys from all walks of life are brought together in the pursuit of excellence on both an individual basis and through group study. Over the years Houston Boychoir has developed musicianship, discipline, confidence, and a loving understanding of art. It is through this understanding that the choristers grow to accept and appreciate each other; thereby bridging the gap of cultural and socio-economic diversity and producing artistic achievement of the highest standards. The Houston Boychoir's webpage presents an alternate statement.
The non-for-profit organization Friends of Houston Boychoir, Inc. is a public charity which help support the choir's operations.
Performances
Both groups -the Chamber Choir and the Preparatory Choir- have performed in a number of venues in TexasTexas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, including the Opera House at The Rebecca and John J. Moores School of Music, and various churches; the Chamber Boychoir also has performed internationally.
Among the best known annual performances of the Preparatory Boychoir in Houston, "The Candlelight Evening", nearing Christmas, takes place at the Sam Houston Park
Sam Houston Park
Sam Houston Park is a park located in downtown Houston, Texas, and is dedicated to the buildings and culture of Houston's historic past. The park, which was the first to be established in the city, was developed on land purchased by former Mayor Sam Brashier in 1900.-History:Mayor Brashear...
, where, in the historic St. John Church built in 1891, the boys wear a more traditional choir attire. December 2010 marked the 48th year of the Houston Heritage Society's Candlelight Evening, event in which the boy choir has participated since its inauguration.
Another annual event is known as the 'Winter Concert' which takes place at the First Presbyterian Church of Houston on 5300 Main Street, Houston. In May 16, 2010, at the Moores Opera House, the Houston Boychoir performed for the 47th consecutive year their 'Spring Concert' . Among other performances, the Prep-Boychoir has travelled to Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
to perform next to the Austin Choir, and in January 2011, the Houston Boychoir and the American Boychoir performed at Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church, in Houston; the Directors of both choirs were interviewed on KUHF
KUHF
KUHF is a public radio station serving the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area. It broadcasts on a frequency of 88.7 megahertz on the FM dial. The station is owned by and licensed to the University of Houston System...
fm radio, which has broadcast live performances of the singing boys. The choir performed as a special guest with the Houston Bach Society in April 2011
In 2010, they Chamber Choir visited Philadelphia, which was called the Houston Boychoir Liberty Tour.
The Houston Boychoir (HBC) has sang the "Star Spangled Banner" at several Astros games, and has done the same at a Rockets game in November 2010.
External links
- The Houston Boychoir. (New web site in January 2011),
- The Heritage Society at Sam Houston Park.
- Houston Choral Site on HBC.