At the beginning of rehearsals, you will hear them singing Do-Re-Mi and not only singing the notes, but hand signing them as well. Although the Boys and Girls Choirs are not connected, they share similar goals and are much more than simply performance organizations. They work toward developing a life-long appreciation and understanding of music and achieving artistic expression, all of which promote personal development and enhance the quality of their lives. They receive instruction in concepts of music theory and sight-singing, vocal and choral techniques, and performance skills, and are exposed to a vast repertoire of choral literature representing various historical periods, genres, styles, and cultures. At any given concert, you might hear a smorgasbord of music ranging from vaudeville and pop to classical pieces. A glance at the Boys Choir’s 2008 Singing Christmas Tree program reveals pieces ranging from Handel’s Messiah to an African carol to The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late).
The Chattanooga Boys Choir is the older of the two organizations, having been founded in 1954 by Caroline Brown of Dalton, Georgia. Mrs. Brown had previous experience with the Columbus (Ohio) Boys Choir and the Princeton Children’s Choir. As there was no boys choir in the Chattanooga area at that time, she went to the superintendent of schools to request permission to go into the schools and hold auditions. Over 1,000 auditioned, and only 40 were chosen. The Chattanooga Boys Choir now has 150 members, representing 44 schools in the metro Chattanooga area, including public, private, and home-schooled boys. Their reputation, however, extends beyond the regional area. They recently recorded background music for the Christian group, Casting Crowns, which will be included on their 2008 Christmas album to be released in October. Teaming with the Nashville Symphony, they did a recording of Ravel’s children’s operas and have performed in Carnegie Hall with the Atlanta Boys Choir. Last year, they performed in the historic St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans. They were saddened to learn of the decimation of the New Orleans Children’s Choir by Hurricane Katrina, and upon returning to Chattanooga, eventually raised $1400 to help get the choir reorganized.
The Chattanooga Girls Choir was established in 1987 by John Dyer who served as the director for ten years and currently serves as conductor emeritus. In June 2008, Mr. Dyer organized and conducted an Alumnae Concert for the Girls Choir which attracted over 40 girls and women. Some choir alumnae have gone on to major in music at the college level and pursue professional careers in music theatre and opera. Currently, 153 girls sing in the four auditioned choirs, representing close to 60 schools in the metro area. The choir members have had an opportunity recently to meet and sing with music professionals such as composer Randall Stroope and opera singer Stella Zimbalis.
One might be surprised to learn that the Chattanooga Boys and Girls Choirs are not made up of one choir, but are five-tier choir organizations.
The Girls Choir is comprised of the Novellina (novice) Choir which is a non-auditioned group of third graders under the direction of John Wigal. This novice choir gives the girls the opportunity to experience singing with a choir and to decide if they would like to continue. The Cantilena (Lyric) Choir, directed by Delores Beery-Norwood, is comprised of fourth and fifth graders. Fifth and sixth graders make up the Bella Voce (Beautiful Voice) choir directed by Joan Tonkinson. LuAnn Holden, Artistic Director, directs the Concert Choir which is comprised of Jubilate (middle school) and The Grace Moore Singers (high school). The Cantilena, Bella Voce, Jubilate, and Grace Moore Singers are auditioned choirs with their auditions held in February. Once accepted into a choir, the girls must audition each year to continue.
The Chattanooga Boys youngest choir is the Mozart Choir, a training choir made up of boys eight to nine years old. The first auditioned choir is the Shubert Choir for boys nine and ten years old. The Mozart and Shubert Choirs are directed by Cynda Holmes and Judy Brittingham. The three older choirs are directed by Vic Oakes and are known as the Handel Choir (10 to 11 years), Concert Choir (11 to 14 years), the organization’s flagship touring and performing ensemble, and Cantabile (14 years through college). Mr. Oaks explains that boys continue to sing as their voices are changing rather than dropping out for two to three years and then returning to sing as had been common practice in music training. Auditions are held in the spring of each year with an evaluation process each year after acceptance.
The Community Foundation of Great-er Chattanooga provided a grant for a 15-station computer music lab housed at Brainerd First United Methodist Church where the offices of the Boys Choir are located. In the lab, under the direction of Stephanie Randall, the boys have opportunity to learn concepts of music theory and composition. They also attend a mandatory week-long camp at Baylor High School each summer where they continue their music education.
Both the Chattanooga Boys and Girls Choirs give several performances each year and have opportunity to travel, often internationally,
in the summer.
The Boys Choir has performed in the Czech Republic and Ireland. The Girls Choir has traveled to Ireland and Italy and in 2009 will be traveling to Calella, Spain to attend a music festival. The Girls Choir performs two major, ticketed concerts each year – a Winter Concert in December and a Spring Concert in May. The Boys Choir performs The Singing Christmas Tree each December with the Chattanooga Symphony Youth Orchestra and Ballet Tennessee. Each of the choirs stages numerous performances for community, civic, church, and arts organizations throughout the year.
Both organizations are non-profit and receive funding from Allied Arts of Greater Chattanooga. Other means of funding come from tuition paid by choir participants, grants, corporate, civic, and individual donations, as well as ticket sales to the main scheduled performances. There are scholarships available for those who may not be able to afford all or part of the tuition.
For choir participants the benefits extend beyond simply learning songs and performing. For Chara Whiteley, a member of the Grace Moore Singers, who describes herself as “shy,” being a member of the Girls Choir has helped her open up and feel comfortable in front of a group. Hannah Byrne, also a member of the Grace Moore Singers, has learned discipline and responsibility which has helped her at school and in other areas of her life. She hopes to continue her voice studies in college. Mark Laseter, a member of the Boys Cantabile Choir, is contributing by serving as an accompanist for the Boys Choirs.
Both the Chattanooga Boys and Girls Choirs are continuing their tradition of positively influencing and developing the lives of their members, developing musical understanding, and providing the experience of singing in a choral setting under the auspices of music programs of the highest quality.
For more information on auditions or activities contact:
Chattanooga Boys Choir (423) 622-3033,
www.chattanoogaboyschoir.org;
Chattanooga Girls Choir (423) 629-6188,
www.chattanoogagirlschoir.org.