Active from 1973 | ||
Similar Gerald Wirth, Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Vancouver Chamber Choir, Vienna Boys' Choir, Stompin' Tom Connors | ||
Join the calgary boys choir
The Calgary Boys' Choir is a choir for boys in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The choir was founded with 20 members in 1973 by Douglas Parnham, who wanted to "provide a vehicle for young boys to develop their vocal and musical talents and at the same provide the community with another dimension of education and entertainment." Throughout its 40 years as a choir, the boys have performed in several different countries, for royalty and with internationally known performers such as Metropolitan Opera baritone Allan Monk, Gordon Gietz, lyric tenor Mark DuBois, the Canadian Brass, Natalie Cole, David Foster, Kenny Loggins, and José Carreras. Past directors include Gerald Wirth, the current artistic director of the Vienna Boys' Choir, Tyrone Paterson, Canadian opera conductor (approximately 1985–1987), and Jean-Louis Barbier. Distinguished alumni include Gordon Gietz, actor and Heebee-jeebees member Jonathan Love, and New York-based actor and singer Alex Birnie.
Contents
- Join the calgary boys choir
- Calgary boys choir 40th anniversary thank you
- Groupings of Singers
- History
- References
The Boys Choir is now part of the Mount Royal University Conservatory program and is currently under the direction of Paul Grindlay.
Calgary boys choir 40th anniversary thank you
Groupings of Singers
The Calgary Boys Choir's flagship choir is the Touring Choir, which has existed since the beginning for boys ages 10–14 (the usual age range of voice change). In its first year, the choir recorded only 14 boys, but grew to around 100 by 1991. Sometime after 1973, when the choir was created, a younger group called the Performing Choir was also created to develop talent and prepare boys for the Touring Choir. In 1988, the choir created a younger group called the Young Singers, which accepted boys as young as age six or seven. For a while, an Intermediate Choir was created as a bridge between the Young Singers and the Performing Choir but the two were eventually merged and this level continues to be known as the Intermediate Choir. At times throughout its history, the Calgary Boys Choir has included an Early Childhood Music (ECM) division for preschool aged boys and girls, an Alumni Choir for boys with changed voices, was briefly affiliated with the Calgary Girls Choir as well as a choral music school.