- North Carolina Boys Choir
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The North Carolina Boys Choir was founded in 1971 by its director, Dr. William J. Graham, in Durham, NC. Originally named the Durham Boychoir, it was designated the state boys choir of North Carolina in 1983 by Governor Jim Hunt. In 1992 the chamber choir of tenors and basses was founded to supplement the touring concert choir. Since its inception, the choir concludes each semester with a concert in Duke Chapel at Duke University.
Structure
The North Carolina Boys Choir is composed of three choirs:
The training choir is composed of boys in preparation for joining the concert choir. This group typically contains 9 or 10 year-old boys, who spend two semesters in this group before being considered for promotion into the concert choir. Auditions are held at local elementary schools in Durham and Chapel Hill, as well as upon request for boys outside the audition radius.
The concert choir features first sopranos, second sopranos, and altos, each with a section leader. This group consists of 35 to 40 boys, ages ranging from nine to 16. A change in policy in 2004 allowed boys with changed voices to stay in the choir longer. It was the wish of the director to have a self-contained tenor and bass section within the concert choir. The concert choir is the only touring choir. Each spring the choir takes a "mini-tour," a local weekend tour featuring three to four performances. This is in preparation for an annual two-week national tour in June. In 2005 the choir completed its first international tour, with performances in the United Kingdom.
The chamber choir of tenors and basses is composed of graduates of the concert choir, area men, and fathers of boys in the concert choir.
Staff
Dr. William J. Graham is founder and musical director. Scott A. Mann is associate director Patricia M. Gibson, former administrative director, died May 16, 2008. The 2008 spring concert of that year was dedicated to her memory. The choir employs various professional pianists, organists, and other instrumentalists for its performances and tours.
External links
Categories:- Boys' and men's choirs
- Musical groups established in 1971
- Musical groups from North Carolina
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