The Phoenix Boys Choir

History

Founded in 1947, the Phoenix Boys Choir has programs featuring training in voice, music theory, and performance for boys age 7 to 14. The Phoenix Boys Choir, through educating boys in the art of singing and performing the finest music in the boy choir tradition, develops character, discipline, leadership, global awareness, and a strong commitment to excellence, thereby contributing to the greater Phoenix musical life and enhancing Arizona's cultural reputation nationally and internationally. The Phoenix Boys Choir guarantees every member a world-class music education and one of the most significant experiences of his life. Currently, there are approximately 125 young boys and men participating.

Performances

Each year the choir performs a full and varied season, beginning in the early fall and ending in late May or early June, followed by their annual concert tour.

Of all of the choir's annual performances, the most attended and most highly publicized are their series of Holiday concerts performed in December. These concerts are performed in churches and concert halls across the Valley of the Sun and contain both Christmas and Hannukah pieces. In recent years the choir has been invited to sing annually at the Arizona Biltmore Resort's tree lighting ceremony.

The choir performs a classics concert-usually in February—featuring traditional pieces in the boys' choir repertoire and one or two annual Pops concerts — usually in May. The program of the pops concert generally is culled from the traditions of Americana, the American Songbook, Broadway show tunes, and pieces from contemporary film, television, and other popular outlets. These concerts often feature a special guest performer.

Conductors and staff

Georg Stangelberger joined the Phoenix Boys Choir as Artistic Director in 1999 upon the retirement of Dr. Smith. He graduated from the Musikhochschule in Vienna, and spent more than 13 years with the Vienna Boys Choir, where he served as principal choir conductor and associate artistic director. He led the Phoenix Boys Choir to its Carnegie Hall debut in 2003 and is considered largely responsible for the choir's current success.

Dr. Gregory Amerind conducts the Cadet and Town Choirs. Amerind, who joined the choir at the beginning of the 2007-2008 concert season, majored in music and theatre arts at UCLA, California State University, Northridge, and Arizona State University.

Jason Snodgrass is the Phoenix Boys Choir's Operations Manager. ;)

Harvey K. Smith is Artistic Director Emeritus. A native Arizonan, Dr. Smith received his education at Occidental College, Master of Music at the University of Southern California, Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of Arizona, and Honorary Doctor of Letters at Grand Canyon University. Beginning in 1960, Dr. Smith’s vision and commitment to quality musicianship have guided the Phoenix Boys Choir from a single, 30-voice choir to a current membership of over 170 boys in five choirs. His pursuit of excellence has brought the Phoenix Boys Choir critical acclaim from audiences and journalists around the globe as well as a Grammy, awarded in 2001. Listeners in Europe, the Far East, Mexico, Canada, Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, and across the United States have enjoyed the choir’s splendid performances of varied repertoire. The choir has participated in numerous collaborative projects ranging from advertising soundtracks to solo performances with major musical institutions.

Dr. Smith and his wife, Dorothy Lincoln-Smith, worked as clinicians upon his retirement from the choir in 1999, were avid scuba divers, and co-authors of the video teaching series Singing and Growing. He died on December 12, 2012 at age 76, after a long battle with Parkinson's disease.

Levels

There are four levels of the Phoenix Boys Choir, of increasingly advanced singers.

Boys as young as 7 audition and begin their choir careers in the Training Choir, the lowest level. The Training Choir is divided into five Neighborhood Choirs, each under the direction of a different conductor and meeting at separate locations. Currently there are Neighborhood Choirs located in Peoria, downtown Phoenix, Tempe, Scottsdale, and one at that meets at the choir's headquarters in the Helen C. Lincoln Building on Missouri Avenue.

The Cadet Choir is the next senior level. Most boys move into this level after one or two years in the Training Choir. The boys are a year or two older and have some concert experience.

The Town Choir is senior to the Cadet Choir. Boys in this choir are exposed to their first touring experiences. They embark annually on a national tour but do not travel internationally. Previous tours have gone to Texas, New Mexico, and Northern Arizona.

The Tour Choir is the Phoenix Boys Choir's top level. Members range in age from 10 to 14 years old and are the most advanced, most accomplished singers in the program. Each year they perform an extensive tour, alternating national and international itineraries.

The Masters choir, also conducted by Georg Stangelberger is a choir for boys who have graduated from the choir. Any graduated member whose voice has matured to a tenor through bass range may join and perform with this group.

Awards and honors

In 2000, the choir was awarded a Grammy for Best Choral Performance for its recording of Krzysztof Penderecki's Credo with the Oregon Bach Festival Orchestra and Chorus, conducted by Hellmuth Rilling.

Discography