by Brook Larson, Orpheus Male Chorus, Director

For more information click Boys to Men Resources

The Orpheus Male Chorus of Phoenix is proud to sponsor Boys to Men 2011. This project, originally initiated by the Phoenix Chorale, aims to promote community-wide access to choral training and development for young male singers. Junior and senior high school male singers are engaged by the highest level of artistic leadership and are encouraged to continue singing after their school experiences. That’s why all regional high school, middle school, and junior high male choirs, and individual male singers are warmly invited and strongly encouraged to attend this festival. The ASU Men’s Chorus, Phoenix Metropolitan Men’s Chorus, Spirit of Phoenix, the men of the Phoenix Chorale, and the Orpheus Male Chorus of Phoenix will join in this celebration of the male voice.

I am pleased to announce that the clinicians joining me this year to rehearse and conduct the mass-choir pieces will be Ron Carpenter (Poston Jr. High and Phoenix Children’s Chorus) and Bart Evans (Dobson High School). I am confident that your men will be inspired and entertained by these two outstanding musicians and teachers.

The format for the day will be very similar to last year:

• Each director is responsible for ordering and rehearsing the massed-choir pieces.
• Parts for all three massed-choir pieces will be available online by September 1 to help singers learn their parts.
• Massed choir rehearsal on November 5 will begin at 1:30 p.m. Each director will have approximately 45 minutes to rehearse the massed choir with their particular piece of music.
• Each of five adult choirs will perform 10-15 minutes of music for the other choirs and friends and family. (It is imperative that each participating group strictly adhere to this time limit!)
• Following the individual choirs’ performances, all singers (junior high, high school, and adults) will take the stage to perform the three massed choir pieces.
• Admission to the concert for friends and family will be $3. This money goes toward the costs to rent the facilities and a small honorarium for the guest conductors.
• Unlike last year, each performing group will be asked to pay $40, a share of program printing expenses. In return, each choir will receive a one-page ad.
• Also unlike last year, choirs will wear casual uniforms rather than tuxedos for the concert.