Newark Boys Chorus facts for kids
The Newark Boys Chorus is a special boys' choir from Newark, New Jersey. It started in 1966 as the New Jersey Symphony Boys Choir. Later, in 1969, the choir led to the creation of the Newark Boys Chorus School. This group often travels and performs in the United States and other countries.
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How It All Started
The chorus began because the New Jersey Symphony needed "angels' voices" for their show. They were putting on Tchaikovsky's famous ballet, "The Nutcracker". Specifically, they needed voices for the "Dance of the Snowflakes" part.
James R. McCarthy took on the job of finding these voices. He found 66 young singers for the show. On December 26, 1966, the chorus performed with the New Jersey Symphony and the Garden State Ballet in a full production of the Nutcracker.
Their first performance at Newark Symphony Hall was a huge success! People loved it so much that they asked for more shows. This led to the opening of the Newark Boys Choir School on September 15, 1969. In 1972, the school changed its name to Newark Boys Choir, and later became the Newark Boys Chorus School.
Amazing Performances and Tours
The boys in the chorus sing many different kinds of music. They perform traditional classical songs, spirituals (a type of religious folk song), folk music, and jazz.
Since they started, the choir has traveled all over the world! They have visited countries like Japan, Latvia, Finland, France, Switzerland, Russia, Australia, Spain, and Portugal. They have also performed in famous places such as Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Lincoln Center, and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center.
The chorus also takes part in many boychoir festivals. These include events like The Georgia Boy Choir Festival and the Maryland State Boychoir Festival. They even joined Keystone State Boychoir's B1K (Boychoir of One-thousand), where one thousand male singers perform together!
In the 1970s, famous composers Gian Carlo Menotti and Peter Mennin wrote music just for the group. These new songs were first performed at Alice Tully Hall. The chorus also recorded a song called "The Golden Age of Leather" with the band Blue Öyster Cult for their album Spectres.
In October 2007, the chorus sang at the first public event held at the new Prudential Center. In 2009, they sang a lullaby with the musician Sting at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. In December 2011, the group appeared on Fox News to sing holiday songs.
About the Newark Boys Chorus School
The Newark Boys Chorus School started in 1969. It is a private school that helps young men from the Newark area. The school provides both regular school lessons and musical training. It is officially recognized by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. This means it meets high standards for education. The school's recognition was renewed for ten years in 2018.
Famous Former Members
Some talented people who were once part of the Newark Boys Chorus include:
- Derek Lee Ragin, a special type of singer called a countertenor.
- Anwar Robinson, who was a finalist on the TV show American Idol.
- Rahshon Bright
- Robert Firth, also known as Ruby Rims, a well-known cabaret performer.
