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Thursday, Aug. 28, 2008

New boys choir forming in SLO

Central Coast Children’s Choir organizers aim to show youths that singing is cool and fun

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The Central Coast Children’s Choir is sending a message to boys in third through eighth grades: Singing is cool. It’s fun. And it’s the perfect activity for guys who want to make friends, learn new skills and work together to create something amazing.

“(Once) you get the boys singing, they are hooked forever. Those are the kids who go on to high school and college choirs,” said Beth Klemm, artistic director of the Central Coast Children’s Choir.

To help that happen, she’s launching a boys choir that will perform solo and alongside mixed and girl groups. Boys and their families are invited to attend a meeting and tryout rehearsal Sept. 9 to learn more.

Cal Poly music professor Thomas Davies will act as director of the new boys choir.

“There’s nothing like making music. It’s a great deal of fun,” said Davies, head of choral activities and vocal studies at Cal Poly. “We want to get a group of young guys together and get them excited about singing.”

First in the county

According to Klemm, the boys choir will be the first of its kind in the county.

All-male groups such as the Vienna Boys Choir are nothing new in Europe, where boys’ high, clear voices have filled cathedrals for centuries. Here in the United States, talented youths sing in groups including the Pasadena Boys Choir, the Boys Choir of Harlem and the Minnesota Boychoir, which performed in San Luis Obispo in June.

“It’s a beautiful sound,” said Davies, and one that’s much different from young girls in song.

Founded in 1994, the Central Coast Children’s Choir features about 90 male and female singers ages 6 to 16. There are currently three choruses based on age and ability: debut, apprentice and concert choir.

In addition to the boys choir, Klemm is adding an advanced ensemble designed for older, more experienced kids.

“Our goal is to keep them singing, offer them something more to do,” said Klemm, adding that the ensemble will feature students in eighth to 12th grades.

Holiday concerts

The Central Coast Children’s Choir launches its season in early December with holiday concerts in Atascadero, Arroyo Grande and San Luis Obispo.

Although boys can sing in any of the Children’s Choir ensembles, organizers say they want to reach guys who might be intimidated by a mixed choral setting.

“It takes a lot of guts to sing in front of a group of girls and open your mouth and express yourself,” Klemm said. “Boys have a lot of boldness. We want to give them the opportunity to be themselves and…work on their voices.”

Besides, added Davies, young men enjoy learning with their peers. They respond to sports metaphors and understand that singing, like athletics, comes from teamwork, discipline and a marriage of body and mind.

“When a group of men are singing together it’s a totally different atmosphere,” he said.

Overcoming stereotypes

To attract vocalists, Klemm and others admit they’ll have to overcome stereotypes about singing.

“When I was younger, I didn’t want to do choir. I wanted to play sports … just because that’s what boys did,” recalled Richard Carrick, who will serve as the boys choir’s assistant director.

As a kid growing up in New Jersey, he played violin and saxophone for a few years but “stopped because it wasn’t cool anymore,” he said. “The popular kids weren’t doing it.”

Finally, in high school in Moraga, Calif., Carrick auditioned for choir on a fluke. That decision, made during his sophomore year, changed his life.

“I just fell in love with it,” Carrick, 22, said.

He started working as director of the Central Coast Children’s debut choir in January and graduated from Cal Poly with a bachelor’s degree in music this summer.

“One of my hopes as a music teacher is to change the social stigma around choir for boys,” Carrick said. “It’s such an amazing experience. … You wonder how many people go by without having a positive experience in music.”

Different skill levels

Davies, who started singing in church choirs at an early age, said he’s eager to begin working with boys of all skill and experience levels.

His sons, Peter, 13, and Andrew, 8, will be among the boys choir’s first members. They already sing with other Children’s Choir ensembles.

“They’re kind of excited about having their dad be their conductor,” said Davies, adding that, like himself, Peter and Andrew have musically minded parents. Their mom is pianist and singer Susan Azaret Davies.

Although Davies doesn’t have much experience working with younger singers, he said his own love of music will serve him well.

“We learn to sing as a team and support each other. Those are lifelong lessons,” he said.