Land of Lakes Choirboys
Encyclopedia
Choir
A choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
organization based near St. Francis, Minnesota
St. Francis, Minnesota
As of the census of 2009, there were 7,298 people, 1,638 households, and 1,300 families residing in the city. The population density was 210.6 people per square mile . There were 1,686 housing units at an average density of 72.3 per square mile...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Consisting of six individual choir ensembles, the organization performs in local, national, and international locations. Through a series of training programs, choristers are taught arts of music, leadership, respect, honor and other elements of human integrity. Known for singing works of various musicians such as Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer, organist, harpsichordist, violist, and violinist whose sacred and secular works for choir, orchestra, and solo instruments drew together the strands of the Baroque period and brought it to its ultimate maturity...
and Antonio Vivaldi
Antonio Vivaldi
Antonio Lucio Vivaldi , nicknamed because of his red hair, was an Italian Baroque composer, priest, and virtuoso violinist, born in Venice. Vivaldi is recognized as one of the greatest Baroque composers, and his influence during his lifetime was widespread over Europe...
, the choristers sing religious and secular music. The Land of Lakes Choirboys are supported by various organizations and individual donors.
History
Land of Lakes Choirboys was founded by Craig Carmody-Anderson in 1976. It consisted of a single choir and depended on the community and a school building to support choir events. Beginning with eighteen members and conducted by Anderson himself, the organization continued to grow. Deciding it was important to perform for different audiences, the Choir purchased a motor coachCoach (vehicle)
A coach is a large motor vehicle, a type of bus, used for conveying passengers on excursions and on longer distance express coach scheduled transport between cities - or even between countries...
in 1984. This allowed the Choir to conduct tours and provide transportation. To compensate for limited space, the Choir purchased several acres of land and an old schoolhouse building near Elk River, Minnesota
Elk River, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 16,447 people, 5,664 households, and 4,400 families residing in the city. Recent estimates show the population at 21,329 as of 2005. The population density was 385.5 people per square mile . There were 5,782 housing units at an average density of 135.5 per...
in 1991. This is where the organization functioned, holding its choir rehearsals and activities.
To create its own unique sound, the Choir began searching for a new conductor. Born in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, Francis Stockwell was hired. Stockwell was a music director at a school in Switzerland and had experience working with the Vienna Boys' Choir
Vienna Boys' Choir
The Vienna Boys' Choir is a choir of trebles and altos based in Vienna. It is one of the best known boys' choirs in the world. The boys are selected mainly from Austria, but also from many other countries....
. The Choir then established a second ensemble that was used to train choristers until they were invited into the touring choir. Anderson directed the training choir while Stockwell directed the touring choir.
In 2002, the State of Minnesota ordered the condemnation of the choir's land to construct a highway overpass. Rehearsals and activities were temporarily held inside of a local church building, until the choir purchased a facility near St. Francis, Minnesota. This is where the organization continues to function. Through time, the choir grew large enough for the organization to hire Aaron Carpenter. Carpenter took the direction of two new training choirs and later the national touring choir.
In February of 2010, one of their former choirboys took over as Executive Director. P.J. Fanberg was a choirboy from 1994-1997.
Training Choirs
- The Prep Choir is the first, but optional stage in vocal training. This choir features boys aged five, six, and seven. Conducted by Stockwell, these boys are introduced to singing through movement, acting and unison song. They perform twice every year and rehearse for a short time once every week.
- The Training Choir features boys aged 8-13. These boys are taught the basics of singing, breathing, note reading and vocal production. Choristers are conducted by Anderson but they do not perform for any audience. With three stages of training, a chorister begins as an "apprentice" and works his way through a "scholar" and finally a "performer". Once a chorister has become a performer, he is eligible to audition into the Voyager Choir.
Touring Choirs
- The Voyager Choir features boys aged 8 -14. They travel to local areas, obtaining experience at performing for audiences. Choristers undergo more extensive training, having two practices weekly and one personal voice lesson each month. Carpenter conducts this choir, introducing choristers elements such as leadership and honor. Members of this choir prepare for being promoted to one of two touring choirs. Each spring, the Voyager choir takes a short tour, introducing the boys to the world of touring.
- The Nordic Choir features boys aged 8-14. Conducted by Carpenter, these choristers rehearse twice every week and have one personal voice lesson per month. They are introduced to further vocal development and perform for national audiences.
- Formerly known as the Touring Choir, the Viking Choir is the highest stage of vocal development in the Land of Lakes Choirboys. It consists of boys aged 8-14 and is directed by Stockwell. Choristers are taught complex elements of singing and human integrity. Singing for international audiences, this choir is critically acclaimed.
For the young Man
- Schola Contorum (The Alumni Choir) features boys from previous choirs whose voices have changed, as well as their fathers. This choir works to develop the changed voice and sings with the Viking choir as well as alone. It is under the direction of Stockwell.
Awards
- The only boys’ choir outside of Germany to have received the honor of opening the International Bach Festival in Ratingen, Germany, in June 1999, with a full concert.
- Winner of the 2004 International Trebby Award for 'Best Boys’ Choir Album” with its CD “Steal Away.
- 2006 Grand Champion of Cruise Festivals Music Festivals.
- Winner of the Gold diploma in the qualifying around in Category 1 (Children's choirs) at the 5th World Choir Games in Graz, Austria; July, 2008
- Winner of the Gold diploma in the qualifying around in Category 17 (Sacred Music) at the 5th World Choir Games in Graz, Austria; July, 2008
- Winner of the Silver Medal in the competition round in Category 1 (Children's choirs) at the 5th World Choir Games in Graz, Austria; July, 2008
- Winner of the Silver Medal in the competition round in Category 17 (Sacred Music) at the 5th World Choir Games in Graz, Austria; July, 2008
- Inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame, the only Minnesota Children's Choir with such an honor; November, 2009
- 2010 Grand Champion of Cruise Festivals Music Festivals.
Discography
Each of the following are recordings of the Viking Choir or former touring choir.- An Evening With the Land of Lakes Choirboys (1999)
- For the Joy of Singing (2000)
- Let Us All Be Grateful (2002)
- Home For Christmas (2003)
- Steal Away (2004)
- All Ye Who Music Love (2005)
- The Voice of the Children (2007)
- Gold & Silver (2008)
- Boys Singing, Bells Ringing (2010)