The Boys Choir of Harlem comes to The Bushnell May 25
Contact: Amanda Savio (860) 987-6068; e-mail: amanda_savio@bushnell.org
APRIL 22, 2002, HARTFORD, CT - The Boys Choir of Harlem will perform at The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts' Mortensen Hall on Saturday, May 25, 2002, at 8:00 p.m. as part of Fleet Showcase. Tickets are $12.00-$35.00 and can be purchased at The Bushnell Box Office, located at 166 Capitol Avenue in Hartford or by calling (860) 987-5900. Tickets are also available online at www.bushnell.org. Groups of 10 or more may contact (860) 987-5959.
The diverse program for May 25 features selections by Bach and Mozart, four African-American spirituals, a show biz melody, a segment of patriotic songs and several gospel numbers.
The Boys Choir of Harlem are celebrating over 30 years of success under the leadership of Walter J. Turnbull. Since its inception in 1968, The Boys Choir of Harlem (BCH) has become internationally recognized for its virtuoso performances and its innovations in the 1000-year-old art of the boy choir. BCH is well-known for the breadth of its repertoire, which ranges from staples of the European canon such as Haydn, Bach and Mozart through more modern composers such as Ginastera and Poulenc, to contemporary works from such artists as Bernstein and Hailstork. African-American spirituals, gospel, jazz, pop and hip-hop are choreographed to give the choir a magnetic stage presence that has won critical and popular acclaim.
The chorus has grown from a 20-member church choir to an artistic and educational institution. Today, The Boys Choir of Harlem, Inc., comprises a boys' choir, a girls' choir, The Choir Academy of Harlem (BCH Inc.'s alternative college-preparatory school), student and family support services, and a Summer Music Institute. The 25-40 boys who appear in the boys' Performing Choir are selected from the 250-member Concert Choir based on academic performance, attendance and progress at rehearsals, as well as the vocal quality required for the chosen program. All 500-plus students at The Choir Academy of Harlem take daily classes in music history, theory, voice and an instrument.