WELCOME. WE SINCERELY HOPE YOU WILL BECOME A NEW MEMBER OF

THE NORTH CAROLINA BOYS CHOIR ...

William Graham, Founder and Musical Director:

Bill is no stranger to the boychoir art form. He has worked with children's choirs and boychoirs virtually his whole career. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Organ Performance from Furman University and a Masters Degree in Music from University of Louisville. Later, he attended Seminary and earned a degree in church music. Early in his career, he taught organ at the University of Missouri at Kansas City. He also worked in the local churches, and it is this work that formed the early foundations for his love of the boychoir art form. Once in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, he was given the opportunity to create a boychoir from the current membership of the church youth choir at St. Mary's Episcopal Church. This church boychoir was quite successful and grew over time. A move in the late 1960s found him in North Carolina where he became organist/choirmaster at a local church, and eventually organized a fully independent boychoir within the community. Bill founded what was then called the Durham Boychoir in 1972. It was in 1973 that Bill left the full time work of the church to pursue the growth of this choir. Through his invaluable musical leadership, this choir has grown in intensity and sheer number leading up to the outstanding organization that it is today. The North Carolina Boys Choir [designated name by Governor James Hunt in 1982] has toured all over the United States, Canada, and Europe! The choir has also performed in major operas, oratorios and other great works in collaboration with the North Carolina Symphony, as well as various local universities and community choral groups. Today, Bill Graham still feels extremely compelled to teach the joy of music to young musicians all over the area. His combination of discipline and musical abilities creates an environment where boys become talented musicians.

Scott Mann, Associate Director:

Scott works closely with all three of the choirs (especially the Concert and Chamber Choirs). Scott has a degree in Music with an emphasis in Vocal Performance and Music Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He has studied voice under Elisabeth Herrington, Mary-Gayle Greene, Jim Bumgardner, and Rebecca Swingle-Putland. He remains active in several music organizations including the Music Educators National Convention (MENC), the North Carolina Music Educator's Association (NCMEA), the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), and the American Guild of Organists (AGO). He has served at churches as Organist and Choir Director, and currently serves as Director of Music at Asbury United Methodist Church in Raleigh. A former choirboy himself, Scott began working with our staff, with increasing roles, in July of 1998.

 

Matthew Barnhill, Accompanist:

Matt is a native of Raleigh, and is a graduate of Furman University with a Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance. His senior year, he was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa and Pi Kappa Lambda honor fraternities. As a teenager, he studied at the Raleigh Conservatory of Music and was the winner of many local and state piano competitions. In North Carolina, he has performed with the Raleigh Symphony as soloist, and in South Carolina, with the Anderson Symphony Orchestra and the Furman University Symphony. He spent time in the fall of 2003 studying in Germany, and in 2007, taught English for three months in South Korea. He spent two summers at the Brevard Music Center in Brevard, NC. Matt has been working on a Master’s Degree in piano performance at University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He currently accompanies the Durham Chorale, and is pianist at Leesville Road Baptist Church in Raleigh.

Marsha Harris, Staff Assistant:

Marsha is in charge of all much of the background work (record-keeping, uniform upkeep, and general administrative tasks within the organization). She is an all around figure within the scope of the choir functioning as choir mother, chaperone on tours and at camp, and the list goes on! Marsha has been, and continues to be completely dedicated to this organization, as she has been for over 5 years (since her son Kevin started in the choir). Marsha is currently a Nationally certified counselor at Western Vance High School in Henderson.

North Carolina Boys Choir

Post Office Box 52212

Durham, North Carolina 27717

Phone/Fax: 919.489.0291

or by e-mail:

Bill Graham, Musical Director - via Scott Mann - samann@earthlink.net

Scott Mann, Associate Director - samann@earthlink.net

Marsha Harris, Staff Assistant - mdharris@ncol.net

• What is the approximate age range of the choir boys?
  The Boys Choir is made up of boys aged nine to fourteen. Almost all incoming boys begin in our Training Choir though, where the age range is approximately nine to ten years of age.

• How can my son audition for the choir? 
  Auditions are held twice annually (in mid-September/early-October, and again in mid-January/early-February). There are several ways in which your son can be auditioned for the choir. You can call the Musical Director at 919.489.0291, or you can email the Associate Director to and schedule an appointment. We audition almost all of the fourth grade boys, in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School System (beginning some auditions in Orange County Schools also). These auditions are completed through the generosity of the music teachers at each school location, and are scheduled at a time which is agreeable to both parties. Auditions generally take less than ten minutes, are informal, and are designed to obtain a feel for the boy's musical abilities, and to test his vocal range.

• How long do most boys stay in the Training Choir (before being promoted)?
  On average, boys maintain membership in the Training Choir for approximately one year. The Training Choir is designed to teach basic music theory and breathing techniques, while incorporating some multi-part repertoire.

• How many concerts are involved for the Training Choir?
  There are two major concerts annually that the Training Choir will participate in. One in mid- December, and another in early June. Once a member of the Concert Choir, there will be many more concerts involved each season.

• Is any prior music training necessary?
  No, not at all, however, some prior instruction will give the boy a competitive edge, and give him a head start in the learning experience. We aim to provide all the musical abilities that a boy will need to make his career in the boys choir, a successful one!

• What if my son or music student doesn't think he's good enough?
  If he has a sincere interest, encourage him to audition anyway. Some of our most gifted boys were reluctant to audition because they were afraid they weren't good enough.

• Does my son have to give up the school or church choir?
  Absolutely not. We strongly encourage boys to remain actively involved in their school and/or church choirs. The more music that a child can be exposed to at this age, the better.

• What kind of time commitment is necessary?
  Training Choir rehearsals are held once a week at choir headquarters. They meet on Tuesday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30pm. Boys are required to attend rehearsals as much as possible. Of course, there are certain circumstances which may excuse a boy from rehearsal; these can include school activities which require a grade, sickness, and of course, a death in the family. Boys are also allotted two unexcused absences from rehearsals each semester. The Concert Choir, however, involves a much greater time commitment. We can say that many boys are able to continue their sports and/or other extra-curricular activities, in addition to the choir.

• What kind of financial commitment is expected of the parents?
  Tuition costs for the Training Choir is $ 300.00 per choir year ($ 150.00 per choir semester). If you pay for the full year in advance, you receive a $50 credit.  A one time entrance fee of $15 is charged upon admission. We must add that NO boy will be denied the opportunity to sing in our choir due to the inability to fulfill financial obligations; scholarships are available upon timely request.

We invite you to browse around the website to obtain various important information.

You should pay particular attention to the Parents' and Members' Section.

There, you will find links to the Training Choir refreshments listing,

a listing of what is expected in the way of uniforms,

many volunteer opportunities for parents and friends,

and most importantly, the current and important information site (updated frequently).

Thanks again for your interest in the choir. It is our hope that you have an enjoyable and memorable experience as a member of the North Carolina Boys Choir. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please don't hesitate to give us a call, e-mail one of the staff members, or contact our Parent Representative.

         © 1999-2011 North Carolina Boys Choir, Inc. Created and maintained by Scott Mann. All Rights Reserved.