User:Boychoir

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[edit] Minnesota Boychoir

The Minnesota Boychoir was founded in 1962.[1] It is the oldest boychoir in the Minneapolis/Saint Paul metropolitan area.[2] This boychoir consists of boys ranging in age from seven to eighteen.[3] The young men participating in this group are trained in all aspects of music and are taught how to present themselves in a mature manner.[4] They learn to be musicians, to have self-confidence, to have composure, how to stay on a schedule, etc.[5] This prestigious group allows young men to be challenged with their singing. On the official Minnesota Boychoir website, they say: “The Minnesota Boychoir challenges boys and young men from many backgrounds to the highest standards of choral music, nurtures the development of exceptional character, and inspires and benefits the community.”[6] Their hard work and dedication has paid off. The Minnesota Boychoir has a “…reputation for excellence.”[7] They have performed with the Minnesota Orchestra, the Minnesota Opera, the Saint Paul Chamber orchestra, The Baltimore Symphony, and many other prestigious groups of artists.[8] Politicians, renowned choir directors, Dignitaries, British Royalty, and artistic critics have given the Boychoir dazzling reviews.[9] The Boychoir’s main competitor in the Twin Cities area is the Metropolitan Boys Choir.[10] The Metropolitan Boys Choir receives much more publicity.[11] The Metropolitan Boys Choir, while the Boychoir is older, the Metropolitan Boys Choir have been on more tours to more places than the Minnesota Boychoir [12] On the flip side, the Boychoir has recorded more CD's than the Metropolitan Boys Choir. [13]

[edit] Staff

[edit] Directors

[edit] Mark S. Johnson

Their have been several respectable directors of the Minnesota Boychoir. The current director is Mark S. Johnson. [14] He took over the reins in 1993. [15] Since taking over the choir, the program has grown greatly under his direction. Under his leadership, the choir has expanded by over a hundred singers and has continued to diversify. [16] As Gwendolyn Freed of the Star Tribune noticed, you get 117 young fellows who can really sing. [17] When Johnson took over, the choir was a faltering organization that needed a new direction. [18] With his youthful enthusiasm and endless work ethic he began to redefine the choir. [19] Firstly, the choir began to sing in larger venues and collaborate with more organizations.[20] The culminating venue under his direction is the Sydney Opera House in 2007. [21] Secondly, the choir has released 12 albums and numerous DVD recordings. [22] Albums have included Until We Meet Again, Angels in the Snow, 35th Anniversary Concert, Heaven Sent, Forty & Fine, How Can I Keep From Singing?, When the Snow Lay Round About, We Rise Again, Impart, Winter Wonderland, Look To This Day, and Rise up Singing.[23]

[edit] Paul Pfeiffer

Mark Johnson's predecessor was Paul Pfeiffer. [24] He is the longest tenured director of the Boychoir conducting from 1970 until 1993. During his time as a director, the choir had a smaller scale reputation. [25] They performed mainly at churches and community events in/around the Twin Cities. [26] During this time period, the choir still collaborated and toured. [27]

[edit] Other Directors

Between the choir's founding in 1962 until 1970, there were four conductors. The founder and first director of the Boychoir was Morris Nilsen, Jr. After one year, he was followed by John Ylvisaker. Like his predecessor, he ran the choir for one year. He was then succeeded by David van Fleet who conducted from 1964 to 1968. From 1968 until 1970, the director was Bea Hasselmann. [28]

[edit] List of the Directors of the Minnesota Boychoir

  1. Morris Nilsen: 1962
  2. John Ylvisaker: 1963
  3. David van Fleet: 1964-1968
  4. Bea Hasselmann: 1968-1970
  5. Paul Pfeiffer: 1970-1993
  6. Mark S. Johnson: 1993-Current

[edit] Accompanists

[edit] Todd E. Price

The current accompanist is Todd E. Price. Along with attending rehearsals and helping in the Boychoir office, he is the composer and arranger in residence for the Boychoir. [29] Some of his works have included Until We Meet Again, Good King Wenceslas, Once In Royal David City, Jesous Ahatonhia ('Twas in the Moon of Wintertime), God Save New Zealand (Aotearoa), O Canada, and Advance Australia Fair (the Australian National Anthem). [30]


[edit] List of Accompanists

  • 1970-1993: William "Bill" Bailey
  • 1993-1995: Mark S. Johnson
  • 1995-1997: Cathy Soldner
  • 1997-1999: Denise Prosek
  • 1999-Current: Todd E. Price


[edit] Recruiting Process

Recruiting new members is done by word-of-mouth among family and friends of a choir member. [31] This process becomes more prominent the older the members get. Once the taboo of being in a boychoir has evaporated, many members are able to recruit other friends. [32] Also, parents of the young boys in the group are able to talk about the positive experience that their child is going through to help with the recruiting process. Among younger singers, mass mailings are the most effective means of recruiting. [33] Often this simply involves sending out mail to different families around the Metropolitan areas to allow families to get information about the group and to see if it would be a good fit for a child in the household. [34] Another effective means of spreading the word is by the school tours that the Minnesota Boychoir is apart of. [35] These tours happen twice during the academic school year usually around October and January in several elementary schools. [36] This allows young boys to see the group in action and allow the boys to picture themselves in the choir. They are able to relate to their younger audience and get them involved. Like word-of-mouth, concerts are an informal way of recruiting. It is common for potential choir members to go to a concert to see if this organization is something that they would like to be apart of. In the past, a main source of recruiting members into the Minnesota Boychoir was advertisements in newspapers and by word-of-mouth [37] Because of this, the choir remained relatively small in size. [38] In 1970, when Paul Pfeiffer became director, the same type of recruitment happened, with the edition of larger concerts. [39] Mr. Pfeiffers wife, Virginia, also had a very large impact through her work at Lyndale Elementary school. [40] As time went, the choir proceeded with more large public performances and they no longer advertise in the newspapers. [41]

[edit] Choir Ensembles

The Minnesota Boychoir consists of four different ensembles: Junior Chorus, Concert Choir, Cantabile, and Allegro. [42] Among the ensembles, each practice separately for varying lengths of time. The Junior Chorus practices weekly on Thursday nights from 6:00-7:30pm; Concert Choir practices each week on Thursday evening from 7:30-9:00pm and Saturday afternoon from 11:00am-12:00pm; Cantabile practices on Tuesday nights from 7:00-9:00pm and Saturday morning from 9:00-11:00am; lastly, the Allegro ensemble practices on Monday nights. [43] Each practice involves warm-ups, sometimes sectionals, and a mass section rehearsal. [44] Sectionals usually focus more on learning notes and articulations. [45] The mass section rehearsal focuses more on articulation, musicality, and later memory. [46] Over time, the different choirs within the Minnesota Boychoir have changed with the edition of more choir members. [47] In 1993, when Mark Johnson took over, the choir consisted of only one ensemble, the Concert Choir. [48] Soon afterwards, the Alumni Choir (which is now known as Allegro) was started. However, at the time, the Concert Choir was all treble voice and Alumni were the changed voices. [49] In 1994, Johnson introduced the Training Choir (which is now known as the Junior Chorus). [50] In 1997, the group Allegretto was formed (later discontinued in 2002). It consisted of the most select high school singers. [51] In 1999, Allegro was introduced as the High School ensemble.[52] The final change was in 2000 with the splitting of the Training Choir into the Junior Chorus and the new Concert Choir.[53] In the Minnesota Boychoir, each ensemble has its own purpose. Most elementary aged boys are first recruited into the Junior Chorus. [54] This choir emphasizes the basics of music and the character of the boychoir. [55] Older recruits aging from late elementary to early middle school boys are often invited to join the Concert Choir. [56] Much like the Junior Chorus, the Concert Choir is also a training choir. [57] Boys who distinguish themselves for their musical talents in their audition or the two previous choruses are invited to join Cantabile the premiere ensemble within the boychoir. [58] Lastly, graduates from the Cantabile program are all invited to join Allegro which is the high school ensemble. [59] In order to graduate from Cantabile, you need to be going into ninth grade. [60] Upon graduation from high school, boys tenure with the Boychoir end. [61] It is common to see members graduate with with six to eleven years of membership. [62]

[edit] Performances

The Minnesota Boychoir has traveled throughout the Metropolitan area to allow many different types of people to listen to their performances. Locally, the group has performed with small churches choirs, the Minnesota Orchestra, VocalEssence, The University of Minnesota, St. Olaf College, Robert Robinson and the Twin Cities Gospel Choir, The Minnesota Opera, the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, and Bel Canto. Venues have included the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Target Center, the Landmark Center, Orchestra Hall, Benson Great Hall, the Walker Art Center, the Basilica of St. Mary, and the Guthry Theater. [63][64] Nationally, the choir has been seen on stage with Kate McMahon, Lanell Lightfoot, The Baltimore Symphony, and with the Stephen Petronio Dance Company in Rufus Wainwright's BLOOM. Stages nationally have included the National Capitol, Marble Collegiate, St. Paul's Chapel, St. Patrick's' Cathedral, and St. John's. Internationally, the choir has performed alongside the Prague Philharmonic, the Cantabile girls of Canterbury College, and the New Zealand Secondary School in places such as the St. Joseph's Oratory, Notre-Dame de Québec, the Wellington Cathedral of St. Paul, and the Sydney OperaHouse. [65]

[edit] Tours

  • 2007: Australia
  • 2006: New York City
  • 2005: The Midwest
  • 2004: Canada
  • 2003: Washington D.C.
  • 2002: New Zealand
  • 2001: Northern Minnesota
  • 2000: Seattle
  • 1999: Chicago
  • 1998: Norway
  • 1997: Black Hills, South Dakota
  • 1996: Costa Rica
  • 1995: Wisconsin Dells
  • 1994: England & France
  • 1992: Prague, Czechoslovakia
  • 1987: Japan
  • 1981: Vienna, Austria

[edit] Practice Schedules and Routines

As the types of performances have changed, the practice schedules and routines have also altered. There are three basic types of rehearsals: regular rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and collaborative rehearsals. Regular rehearsals are held weekly, depending upon the ensemble, at Concordia University in St. Paul. (The organization meets in the Fine Arts Building, which is located on Hamline Avenue south of Interstate 94 in Saint Paul, Minnesota).[66] Former rehearsal homes were Salem Covenant Church in New Brighton (1995-2002) and the long-time home, House of Prayer Lutheran Church in Richfield. (1962-1995) [67] In rehearsal, time is spent learning notes, memorizing music, and making stylistic interpretations. Their rehearsals are closed- meaning only singers and Boychoir personnel are allowed to attend. However, twice a year, the Boychoir hold open rehearsal so the member's family, friends, and outside music educators can see how a rehearsal is generally run. [68] When the concert seasons approach, the choir holds dress rehearsals in order to do final polishing of music and to master entrances and exits. Usually, these rehearsals mimic the actual performance and are held at the venue itself. [69] In recent years, the number of collaborative rehearsals has jumped greatly. Collaborative rehearsals are much less uniform than the previous types.[70] Also, these rehearsals are generally longer with less time singing and more time waiting for singing time. [71] In contrast to regular rehearsals, mass rehearsals are often led by someone other than Mark Johnson, oftentimes being the stage manager or the head musical director of the show.[72] Like dress rehearsal, these are also held at the venue. [73] These rehearsals focus on making the final product look and sound good. [74]

[edit] The Audition Process

In order to get audition, prospective singers must be at least 7 years old. [75] There is no need for prior experience when auditioning.[76] When the boys audition, they will be put in an interview setting. They will be asked questions, their vocal range will be tested, their tonal memory, and their pitch matching.[77] The organization is always looking for people who have "an interest in and aptitude for music willingness on the part of the boy and his family to make a serious commitment to the choir and its expectations."[78]

[edit] Tuition

During each season, there will be a tuition fee.[79] According to the Minnesota Boychoir officail website, this fee will go towards the "...staff salaries, music, administrative expenses, and other organizational costs...".[80] Each of the four ensembles to liable for a different amount of tuition. The Cantabile tuition is $1,270 per year; the Concert Choir tuition is $850 per year; the Junior Chorus tuition is $700 per year; and the Allegro tuition is $930 per year.[81] Being that this is a large amount of money, the Minnesota Boychoir offers scholarships. [82]

Boychoir 18:31, 31 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Minnesota Boychoir." The Minnesota Boychoir. 2007. 22 September 2007 http://www.boychoir.org/index.htm
  2. ^ "Minnesota Boychoir." The Minnesota Boychoir. 2007. 22 September 2007 http://www.boychoir.org/index.htm
  3. ^ "Minnesota Boychoir." The Minnesota Boychoir. 2007. 22 September 2007 http://www.boychoir.org/index.htm
  4. ^ "Minnesota Boychoir." The Minnesota Boychoir. 2007. 22 September 2007 http://www.boychoir.org/index.htm
  5. ^ "Minnesota Boychoir." The Minnesota Boychoir. 2007. 22 September 2007 http://www.boychoir.org/index.htm
  6. ^ "Minnesota Boychoir." The Minnesota Boychoir. 2007. 22 September 2007 http://www.boychoir.org/index.htm
  7. ^ "Minnesota Boychoir." The Minnesota Boychoir. 2007. 22 September 2007 http://www.boychoir.org/index.htm
  8. ^ "Minnesota Boychoir." The Minnesota Boychoir. 2007. 22 September 2007 http://www.boychoir.org/index.htm
  9. ^ De Meireles, Victor. Personal Interview. 10 October 2007.
  10. ^ De Meireles, Victor. Personal Interview. 10 October 2007.
  11. ^ De Meireles, Victor. Personal Interview. 10 October 2007.
  12. ^ "About MBC." Spring 2007. 31 Oct. 2007 <http://www.mbchoir.com/about.html>
  13. ^ "Price List." 31 Oct. 2007 <http://www.mbchoir.com/pricelist.html>
  14. ^ "Minnesota Boychoir Staff." The Minnesota Boychoir. 2007. 22 September 2007 http://www.boychoir.org/staff.htm
  15. ^ "Minnesota Boychoir Staff." The Minnesota Boychoir. 2007. 22 September 2007 http://www.boychoir.org/staff.htm
  16. ^ De Meireles, Victor. Personal Interview. 10 October 2007.
  17. ^ Freed, Gwendolyn. "Minnesota Boychoir to give annual spring concert this weekend." The Star Tribune 15 May 2003. 18 September 2007 <http://www.startribune.com/389/story/46294.html.
  18. ^ De Meireles, Victor. Personal Interview. 10 October 2007.
  19. ^ De Meireles, Victor. Personal Interview. 10 October 2007.
  20. ^ De Meireles, Victor. Personal Interview. 10 October 2007.
  21. ^ Anthony, Michael. "Music: The Minnesota Boychoir prepares for Sydney." Star Tribune.07 Jun. 2007.
  22. ^ "Minnesota Boychoir." United Video. 12 Oct. 2007 <http://stores.implex.net/unitedvideoinc/browseCatalog.cfm?browse=002&catagory=19&dir=MN%20Boychoir&CFID=3815435&CFTOKEN=85073374
  23. ^ "Minnesota Boychoir." 25 Oct. 2007 <http://www.singers.com/choral/minnesotaboychoir.html>
  24. ^ "Minnesota Boychoir Staff." The Minnesota Boychoir. 2007. 22 September 2007 http://www.boychoir.org/staff.htm
  25. ^ De Meireles, Victor. Personal Interview. 10 October 2007.
  26. ^ De Meireles, Victor. Personal Interview. 10 October 2007.
  27. ^ De Meireles, Victor. Personal Interview. 10 October 2007.
  28. ^ Johnson, Mark. Email. "Re:Hello" 10. Oct. 2007.
  29. ^ "Minnesota Boychoir Staff." The Minnesota Boychoir. 2007. 22 September 2007 http://www.boychoir.org/staff.htm
  30. ^ De Meireles, Victor. Personal Interview. 10 Oct. 2007
  31. ^ De Meireles, Victor. Personal Interview. 10 October 2007.
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  36. ^ De Meireles, Victor. Personal Interview. 10 October 2007.
  37. ^ Johnson, Mark. Re: Hello. E-mail to the author. 10 October 2007.
  38. ^ Johnson, Mark. Re: Hello. E-mail to the author. 10 October 2007.
  39. ^ Johnson, Mark. Re: Hello. E-mail to the author. 10 October 2007.
  40. ^ Johnson, Mark. Re: Hello. E-mail to the author. 10 October 2007.
  41. ^ Johnson, Mark. Re: Hello. E-mail to the author. 10 October 2007.
  42. ^ "About the Minnesota Boychoir." The Minnesota Boychoir. 2007. 22 September 2007 http://www.boychoir.org/aboutus.htm
  43. ^ "Frequently Asked Questions." The Minnesota Boychoir. 2007. 10 October 2007 http://www.boychoir.org/audition/MNBoychoirFAQs.pdf.
  44. ^ De Meireles, Victor. Personal Interview. 10 October 2007.
  45. ^ De Meireles, Victor. Personal Interview. 10 October 2007.
  46. ^ De Meireles, Victor. Personal Interview. 10 October 2007.
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  50. ^ De Meireles, Victor. Personal Interview. 10 October 2007.
  51. ^ De Meireles, Victor. Personal Interview. 10 October 2007.
  52. ^ de Meireles, Victor. Personal Interview 10 Oct. 2007
  53. ^ Johnson, Mark. Email. "RE:Hello" 11 Oct. 2007
  54. ^ De Meireles, Victor. Personal Interview. 10 October 2007.
  55. ^ De Meireles, Victor. Personal Interview. 10 October 2007.
  56. ^ De Meireles, Victor. Personal Interview. 10 October 2007.
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  61. ^ De Meireles, Victor. Personal Interview. 10 October 2007.
  62. ^ de Meireles, Victor. Personal Interview. 10 Oct. 2007
  63. ^ "About the Minnesota Boychoir." The Minnesota Boychoir. 2007. 22 September 2007 http://www.boychoir.org/aboutus.htm
  64. ^ De Meireles. Personal Interview. 10 October 2007.
  65. ^ "About the Minnesota Boychoir." The Minnesota Boychoir. 2007. 22 September 2007 http://www.boychoir.org/aboutus.htm
  66. ^ "Frequently Asked Questions." The Minnesota Boychoir. 2007. 10 October 2007 http://www.boychoir.org/audition/MNBoychoirFAQs.pdf
  67. ^ Johnson, Mark. "Re: Hello" Email. 10 Oct. 2007
  68. ^ De Meireles, Victor. Personal Interview. 10 October 2007.
  69. ^ De Meireles, Victor. Personal Interview. 10 October 2007.
  70. ^ De Meireles, Victor. Personal Interview. 10 October 2007.
  71. ^ De Meireles, Victor. Personal Interview. 10 October 2007.
  72. ^ De Meireles, Victor. Personal Interview. 10 October 2007.
  73. ^ De Meireles, Victor. Personal Interview. 10 October 2007.
  74. ^ De Meireles, Victor. Personal Interview. 10 October 2007.
  75. ^ "Frequently Asked Questions." The Minnesota Boychoir. 2007. 10 October 2007 http://www.boychoir.org/audition/MNBoychoirFAQs.pdf
  76. ^ De Meireles, Victor. Personal Interview. 10 October 2007.
  77. ^ "Frequently Asked Questions." The Minnesota Boychoir. 2007. 10 October 2007 http://www.boychoir.org/audition/MNBoychoirFAQs.pdf
  78. ^ "Frequently Asked Questions." The Minnesota Boychoir. 2007. 10 October 2007 http://www.boychoir.org/audition/MNBoychoirFAQs.pdf
  79. ^ "Frequently Asked Questions." The Minnesota Boychoir. 2007. 10 October 2007 http://www.boychoir.org/audition/MNBoychoirFAQs.pdf
  80. ^ "Frequently Asked Questions." The Minnesota Boychoir. 2007. 10 October 2007 http://www.boychoir.org/audition/MNBoychoirFAQs.pdf
  81. ^ "Frequently Asked Questions." The Minnesota Boychoir. 2007. 10 October 2007 http://www.boychoir.org/audition/MNBoychoirFAQs.pdf
  82. ^ "Frequently Asked Questions." The Minnesota Boychoir. 2007. 10 October 2007 http://www.boychoir.org/audition/MNBoychoirFAQs.pdf