Texas Boys Choir
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The Texas Boys Choir is a choir based in Fort Worth, Texas. It was founded in 1946 by George Bragg to provide any boy, regardless of socio-economic or ethnic background a structured environment for the development of a world-class performing choir of boys. Essential to this development is the artistic training in an accredited academic institution; experienced teachers instill the qualities of self-discipline, self-confidence, decorum, patriotism, and leadership. For the past 60 years, the choir has been a publicly supported 501(c)3 professional organization and educational institution dedicated to fostering the talents of gifted young men. The choir performs locally, nationally and internationally, both for fees and for community service purposes. Various music and performing arts companies and corporations as well as individual donors sponsor the Texas Boys Choir. Brian Stratton was the Artistic Director of the Texas Boys Choir from June 2006 to July 2007. The interim director is Mark Stamper, who is also the Artistic Director of the Singing Girls of Texas.
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[edit] Awards
In 2004, the Texas Boys Choir won the gold medal (page 4) in Young Boys’ Choirs at the International Choir Olympics, which were held in Bremen, Germany.
The choir won two Grammy Awards for Best Choral Performance[1]:
- Best Classical Choral Performance (Other Than Opera), 1968[2] The Glory of Gabrieli, Vittorio Negri conducting Gregg Smith Singers and Texas Boys Choir; George Bragg directing Edward Tarr Ensemble with E. Power Biggs
- Best Classical Choral Performance (Other Than Opera), 1966[3] Ives, Music for Chorus, Gregg Smith conducting Columbia Chamber Orchestra, Gregg Smith Singers and Ithaca College Concert Choir; George Bragg conducting Texas Boys Choir
On November 22, 1963 the choir performed for John F Kennedy at the Chamber of Commerce Breakfast at the Hotel Texas in Fort Worth. JFK was assassinated later that day.
[edit] Published Albums
The choir has published many albums, both on record and compact disc. CDs published include:
- At Home in the Great Hall (1989)
- Christmas in the Great Hall (1993)
- Fonologee (1995)
- Of Bells and Angels (1996)
- Montage (1998)
- Noel: Live from the Great Hall (1998)
- One World (2003)
- Hodie Cantamus (2004)
