Boston Children's Chorus

Boston Children's Chorus
Also known as BCC
Origin Boston
Years active 2001 (2001)-
Associated acts Chicago Children's Choir, Daniel Bernard Roumain
Members 500

Boston Children's Chorus (BCC), is composed of 500 singers from 13 choirs in five locations around Boston. Its mission is to address the social problems of Boston's children and communities. Founded in 2003, BCC has performed all over the word in countries such as Japan, Mexico, Australia, Cambodia, Vietnam and Jordan. In addition, BCC has received critical acclaim for its music[1] and hosts Boston's Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr annual celebration at New England Conservatory's Jordan Hall. This concert has featured guests such as Lou Gossett Jr, Patti Austin[2] and Melinda Doolittle and has been televised nationally. BCC's believes in the transformative power of music as a tool for social bridging. Its program focuses on providing children with a comprehensive music education and strong diverse youth leadership.

Founding

BCC was founded by Boston civic leader, Hubie Jones.[3] In 2001, Jones experienced a performance by the nationally renowned Chicago Children's Choir, and returned[4] to Boston determined to replicate the program,[5] as there were no organizations in Boston that effectively combined a mission for artistic excellence with an agenda for social change.[6] He gathered the support of civic leaders and, after a year of planning and pilot projects, the Boston Children's Chorus was launched in October 2003.[7]

Growth

Since BCC's inception, the programs have grown rapidly. In 2003, twenty children were accepted into the initial pilot program, and in 2013 counts almost 500 singers who represent over 50 of Boston's urban and suburban neighborhoods. The program spans twelve different choirs in five Boston locations: the South End, Allston-Brighton, South Boston and Dorchester.

The 2012-2013 season represented 10 Years of Harmony[8] for the organization, during which the chorus had its biggest sell-out concert [9] at the annual Holiday Celebration at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.

In April 2013, the State of Massachusetts called on BCC to aid in the healing process of Boston in the wake of the tragic events at the Boston Marathon of 2013. The chorus joined with President Barack Obama, first responders and others as they sang[10] to a national audience at the Interfaith Service in Boston's South End.[11] In 2014, BCC performed at the Boston Marathon anniversary observances on April 15 in Boston.

The 2013 season ended with a World Premiere performance of "A Boy Called King" at the Institute of Contemporary Art by composer Daniel Bernard Roumain, and tours to Australia[12] and Southeast Asia.
[13]

Leadership

David C. Howse joined BCC in 2004[14] as a founding staff member and rose to Executive Director in 2009.[15][16] Howse holds degrees from Bradley University and New England Conservatory of Music and is a graduate of Harvard Business School’s Next Generation Executive Leadership Program, University of Massachusetts at Boston’s Emerging Leaders Program and Boston University’s Institute for Nonprofit Management and Leadership. He overseas strategy, operations,[17] and development for the organization.Howse has featured in Boston Business Journal as a successful young Executive Director.[18]

Anthony Trecek-King joined BCC as Artistic Director in 2006. Under his direction, BCC’s singers follow a music curriculum that combines both American and European models that develops skills such as sight-reading and ear training for children as young as seven. Trecek-King is a graduate of University of Nebraska at Omaha, where he earned a Bachelor’s in Cello Performance and Florida State University, where he completed his Master’s in Orchestral Conducting.[19] In 2012, he spoke at TEDxBoston.[20]

BCC now employs 22 administrators, teaching fellows and conductors- headquartered in Boston's South End.[21]

Social justice

BCC’s mission is to harness the power of music to bring together Boston’s diverse communities and to inspire social bridging. Through intensive choral training and high-profile performances, BCC singers learn discipline and develop leadership skills. In 2013, BCC won the Business Unusual National Challenge [22] which is allowing the organization further develop its social curriculum for creative social integration.

Musical program

BCC’s 500 singers comprise 13 choirs in five different locations. In addition to the 6-8 self-produced concerts in venues such as New England Conservatory’s Jordan Hall, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and the Institute for Contemporary Art/Boston, BCC also tours internationally and has performed in Japan, Mexico, Australia, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Jordan. BCC has also appeared on National Public Radio’s From the Top.

The organization and its singers, called Ambassadors of Harmony by the Boston Globe.,[23] have garnered critical acclaim. BCC is a 2011 recipient of the Margaret Hillis Award by Chorus America,[24] recognizing BCC for artistic and organizational excellence and a commitment to outreach, education, and/or culturally diverse activities. The organization was chosen as a 2011, 2012, 2013 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award. Finalist[25] by the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities.

In 2013, BCC was awarded the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards by First Lady Michelle Obama for its exemplary after school youth arts program.[26]

References

  1. ↑ Sammut, Andrew J. (2012-06-12). "We Interrupt the Death of Classical Music to Bring You Children Singing | The Pop of Yestercentury". Yestercenturypop.com. Retrieved 2013-10-01.
  2. ↑ "Grammy Winner Patti Austin, ADPublishing.org and XtremeSignPost Embark on Million Mentor March". Over My Shoulder Foundation. Retrieved 2013-10-01.
  3. ↑ "Hubie Jones’ Purpose-Driven Life". Bu.edu. Retrieved 2013-10-01.
  4. ↑ http://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/2014/03/24/hubie-jones-boston-bridge-between-past-and-present-black-and-white/bTEPQnIfbrWzYLYjk0feyK/story.html
  5. ↑ "Hubert Jones". Encore.org. Retrieved 2013-10-01.
  6. ↑ "Boston Children's Chorus honors legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. - The Boston Globe". Boston.com. 2008-01-20. Retrieved 2013-10-01.
  7. ↑ Long, Chrissie (2008-12-29). "Newton resident bridges social divide through music - Dedham, Massachusetts - The Dedham Transcript". Dailynewstranscript.com. Retrieved 2013-10-01.
  8. ↑ Lamere, Laura. "MLK Tribute by Boston Children’s Chorus". Laura Lamere. Retrieved 2013-10-01.
  9. ↑ Connolly, John (2012-12-10). "Boston Children’s Chorus Gives Gift of Song: More Than 1600 Attend Holiday Concert - Announcements - South End, MA Patch". Southend.patch.com. Retrieved 2013-10-01.
  10. ↑ "President Obama at interfaith service pledges that Boston ‘will finish the race’ - Metro". The Boston Globe. 2013-04-19. Retrieved 2013-10-01.
  11. ↑ "VIDEO – Children’s Chorus Performs "Up to the Mountain" - Western Massachusetts Breaking News and First Warning Weather with WGGB.com ABC 40". Wggb.com. 2013-04-18. Retrieved 2013-10-01.
  12. ↑ "American Australian Association (AAA) to honour Andrew Liveris and Richard (Dick) Warburton AO LVO at its 2013 Benefit Dinner in Sydney on Thursday June 6, 2013". Artnewsportal.com.au. Retrieved 2013-10-01.
  13. ↑ "Boston Children’s chorus to perform in Viet Nam — Vietnam Breaking News". Vietnambreakingnews.com. 2013-03-20. Retrieved 2013-10-01.
  14. ↑ "David C. Howse". Chorus America. Retrieved 2013-10-01.
  15. ↑ "Boston Children's Chorus - David C. Howse". Bostonchildrenschorus.org. 2013-08-23. Retrieved 2013-10-01.
  16. ↑ "David Howse of the Boston Children’s Chorus sings the praises of diversity - The Boston Globe". Boston.com. 2011-05-26. Retrieved 2013-10-01.
  17. ↑ "Building Blocks : Boston Children's Chorus lays groundwork for audience outreach" (PDF). Massculturalcouncil.org. Retrieved 2013-10-01.
  18. ↑ "David Howse - Boston Business Journal". Bizjournals.com. 2010-10-11. Retrieved 2013-10-01.
  19. ↑ "Anthony Trecek-King - Style". The Boston Globe. 2012-09-14. Retrieved 2013-10-01.
  20. ↑ "Anthony Trecek-King | TEDxBoston Speaker Profile". Tedxboston.org. 2013-06-25. Retrieved 2013-10-01.
  21. ↑ "Boston Children's Chorus". Bostonchildrenschorus.org. Retrieved 2013-10-01.
  22. ↑ http://artsfwd.org/challenge/
  23. ↑ "/ News / Boston Globe / Opinion / Editorials / Ambassadors of harmony". Boston.com. 2004-01-17. Retrieved 2013-10-01.
  24. ↑ "Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence". Chorus America. Retrieved 2013-10-01.
  25. ↑ "Massachusetts Cultural Council | Creative Minds". Massculturalcouncil.org. 2011-11-02. Retrieved 2013-10-01.
  26. ↑ "Chelsea Teenager at White House Today Accepting Award for Boston Children's Chorus". boston.com. Retrieved 2013-12-03.
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