CELEBRATING MISSISSIPPI BOYCHOIR

2024-2025 marks the 30th Season of Mississippi Boychoir, but the Boychoir tradition began fifteen centuries ago with boys singing in the great cathedrals of western Europe.  In the last twenty-nine years, hundreds of musically talented young men have worked to develop vocal techniques, self-discipline, learn music in a variety of styles, and have fun singing!

Your Mississippi Boychoir has given its audiences unforgettable experiences that connect them with this 1,500-year-old boychoir tradition. 

CORE VALUES held by the Mississippi Boychoir:

  • Singing is basic to communication and enriches Mississippi’s community life.

  • Excellence in performance creates self-esteem and provides training for leadership.

  • Respect for others is essential for a successful community.

  • Early training in choir helps boys as adults to participate in the cultural life of communities.

Belief in these CORE VALUES creates a MISSION for the MBC to:

  • Identify boys with natural talent for singing, regardless of economic status, race, or previous vocal training

  • Provide boys with excellent training in musicianship

  • Enhance boys’ personal growth by requiring them to accept responsibility, develop self-discipline, and have respect for others

  • Schedule boys to perform in a variety of venues to showcase their talents and to broaden their horizons

  • Represent Mississippi inside and outside the state


2024-2025 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jerry Morgan, President
Seth Womack, Vice-President
Kelly Weissinger, Treasurer
Laura Womack, Secretary
Sarah Thomas, President of Parents Association
Kim Corley, Parent Representative
Etta Marie Jackson, Parent Representative
Sara Christy
Pierrdro Gallion
Sandy McKellar
Amorya Orr
Josh Smith
Tommy Sullivan
Leigh Tanner
Zachary Thaggard
Dr. Acie Whitlock

STAFF
Dr. Bobby G. Helms, Artistic Director
Lanise Aultman, Executive Director
Charles Bridges, Assistant Director
Steve Russell, Collaborative Pianist


OUR DIRECTOR

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Bobby G. Helms was announced as Mississippi Boychoir’s Artistic Director in late July 2021. Bobby is originally from Georgia and has taught elementary, middle, high school, and college for a total of 22 years. Bobby received his BS in Music Education from Georgia Southwestern College, Masters of Music Education from Valdosta State University, Masters of Choral Conducting from Georgia Southern University, and Music Education Specialist from Auburn University, and most recently his DMA in Choral Conducting at the University of Southern Mississippi. He is currently the Director of Choral Activities at Copiah-Lincoln Community College and the Choir Director at Faith Presbyterian Church in Brookhaven.

Bobby’s conducting career includes being Founder and Artistic Director of the Houston County Middle School Mixed Choir, Artistic Director of the Tifton Choral Society, Co-Artistic Director of the Lincoln Choral Society, and guest clinician for district and state honor choirs and choral music education workshops. In addition, he has presented choral repertoire reading sessions at the local and state levels. He presented a workshop on Developing Children’s Choirs at the Georgia Music Educators Association Conference and his choir was selected as one of the two elementary school choruses to perform at the GMEA Conference in 2008 and 2013.


 

OUR FOUNDER

Mississippi owes a debt of gratitude to founding director Margaret Ewing Thomas, who envisioned and created Mississippi Boychoir in 1995.
Ms. Thomas holds degrees with Honors from Copiah-Lincoln Community College and Millsaps College, a Master of Arts in Music Education from William Carey College, and Level I Orff Certification from University of Memphis. She is a member of American Choral Director's Association (ACDA) and has taught vocal music at all age levels in schools, churches, and her private studio.  She resides in Hattiesburg.