What is the Mississippi Boychoir?

Mississippi’s only incorporated, non-profit choir for boys

Founded in 1995

Membership age range: 7 through 18

Weekly rehearsals held in Jackson, Hattiesburg, and on the Coast

Boys from each rehearsal area (Division) gather to present concerts

What is our mission?

We enrich Mississippi community life by teaching boys to sing!

We accomplish this by:

1. Identifying boys with natural talent for singing
2. Training boys in the art of singing
3. Showcasing their talents in performances across Mississippi
4. Developing their commitment to discipline, leadership, and excellence
5. Representing Mississippi in artistic endeavors outside the State

Previous Performance Highlights:

Mississippi performances with:

University of Southern Mississippi Symphony Orchestra

Mississippi Chorus
Starkville-MSU Symphony Orchestra
Columbus Arts Council
Hattiesburg Arts Council
Tupelo Youth Symphony
Members of Mississippi Symphony Orchestra
College choirs of Belhaven, Millsaps, Mississippi College, Delta State U. Public and private schools, libraries, and churches

Performances outside Mississippi:

Carnegie Hall Festival
Disney World
Atlanta Braves games
Baltimore Boychoir Festival

International festivals:

China
Vancouver
British Columbia
London and Canterbury
Czech Republic
World Festivals for Men and Boys in Arizona

Premiere Performances

Eudora’s Fable: The Shoe Bird, world premiere, commissioned by
Mississippi Boychoir of Samuel Jones and performed with U. of
Southern Mississippi Symphony Orchestra and Narrator Lester Senter Wilson
Mass of the Children, in-state premiere, performed with Millsaps Singers

Where will Mississippi Boychoir perform during the 2007-2008 season?

Christmas Tour to Hattiesburg, Jackson, Gulfport:  December 7-8

Men and Boys Concert, March 29, in collaboration with University of Southern
Miss Choral Department, Dr. Gregory Fuller, Chair, at Parkway Heights
United Methodist Church, Hattiesburg

Spring concert in Gulfport: April 19  (Details TBA)

Spring concert in Jackson: May 17   (Details TBA)

International Festival in England in July (Optional participation)

Non-public concerts will be held in the Spring in schools and retirement homes.

How is Mississippi Boychoir funded?

1. Public and private foundation grants,
2. Gifts from corporate and individual donors
3. Parents:

Registration Fee, for which parents are encouraged to find a Sponsor to pay

Tuition Fee, for which parents can apply for Financial Aid to pay (Application Forms are available upon request, after audition and invitation to membership)

Major Partners during the 2006-2007 season:

Mississippi Arts Commission, National Endowment for the Arts, 
CellularSouth,  Atmos Energy, Hancock Bank, Kroger, Bank Plus

What commitments are required of members and parents?

Required Attendance at weekly rehearsals, camps, and at performances 
(Unexcused absences limited to 2 within a semester)

 

Behavior standards are high; consequences applied when standards are broken.

 

Skills Mastery – Expectations stated in Membership Handbook

 

Regular study of music between weekly rehearsals by means of CD’s customized to each member

 

Familiarity with content of our weekly newsletter,  ChoirNotes

 

Mississippi Boychoir uniform t-shirt worn to rehearsals

 

Payment of Registration Fee by parents or by a sponsor (obtained by member)

 

Payment of Tuition by parents, unless financial aid is requested and granted, by means of written forms, accessible to all members.

 

Ad sale minimum of $175 in the Mississippi Boychoir Viewbook (annual publication including pictures and bios of the choir, members, and staff)

 

Ticket sale minimum of $70 for ticketed concerts in member’s home area

 

Transportation to rehearsals, camps, and performances (Parents often car-pool)

 

Occasional snacks provided by parents