The All-American Boys Chorus started as a small church choir in Orange County, California in 1970 and has grown into a 501(c)(3) non-profit, internationally-touring, non-denominational chorus that fosters creativity and leadership development in over one hundred boys each year.
About
Based in Santa Ana, California, the Chorus is under the artistic direction of Wesley Martin. The Chorus attracts youth from 26 cities throughout Southern California, from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds and economic status. Programs require a small tuition payment; however, no child is turned away based on need.
The Chorus's program progresses through different stages of cognitive development, transforming an individual from a beginner vocalist to a seasoned performer while instilling leadership skills through peer-to-peer mentoring. All choristers participate in after-school and weekend music lessons with rehearsals at the Santa Ana campus, as well as performances, recordings, national and international concert tours, and an annual week-long summer camp.
Most choristers remain in the program for approximately four years, with some students continuing by joining the graduate chorus or as part-time staff or interns. All Saturday four-hour rehearsals combine periods of time for breaks, recreation, games, music education, and vocal learning.
History
For over 40 years, the group worked out of rented space at the
Orange County Fairgrounds.
* In 2015, the Chorus appeared on the
David Benoit Trio's Believe holiday
jazz
Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a major ...
album.
* In 2016, the group collaborated with
a capella
''A cappella'' (, also , ; ) music is a performance by a singer or a singing group without instrumental accompaniment, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. The term ''a cappella'' was originally intended to differentiate between Rena ...
group
Vocal Point
BYU Vocal Point is a nine-member, male a cappella group at Brigham Young University (BYU). Founded by two students, Bob Ahlander & Dave Boyce, in 1991, Vocal Point is under the direction of Emmy award-winning director and former member, McKay Cro ...
on a cover of the track
Go the Distance
"Go the Distance" is a song from Disney's 1997 animated feature film, ''Hercules''. It was written by composer Alan Menken and lyricist David Zippel, and originally recorded by American actor Roger Bart in his film role as the singing voice of He ...
from
Disney’s Hercules.
* On August 10, 2018 Roger Giese, a vocal coach at the Chorus in 1998 was extradited from the UK to California, where he had been living incognito for nearly twenty years.
* On November 10, 2018 the Chorus performed at the lighting of the ''World’s Tallest Live-Cut Tree (110 ft.) in
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix ( ; nv, Hoozdo; es, Fénix or , yuf-x-wal, Banyà:nyuwá) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of cities and towns in Arizona#List of cities and towns, most populous city of the U.S. state of Arizona, with 1 ...
with
Caleb Lee Hutchinson and American Idol's
Maddie Poppe
Madeline Mae Poppe (born December 5, 1997) is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and the American Idol (season 16), season 16 winner of ''American Idol.'' She is a multi-instrumentalist—playing the guitar, piano, and ukulele. Prior to wi ...
.
Discography
* A Little Christmas Magic (1985)
* On the Sunny Side of the Street (1988)
* The Best Gift of All (1992)
* By Request (1996)
* On Tour! (2003)
* California Dreamin' (2016)
References
External links
*
All-American Boys Chorus Video
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Choirs of children
Choirs in California
1970 establishments in California