July 10, 2009
Maryland State Boychoir to perform July 13 at St. Benedict Cathedral
The Maryland State Boychoir will perform at a July 13 concert at St. Benedict Cathedral in Evansville. Click for a larger version.
By PAUL R. LEINGANG (Message editor)
The general public is invited to a concert by the Maryland State Boychoir at St. Benedict Cathedral on Monday, July 13, at 7:30 p.m.
“I am so pleased to be brining the Maryland State Boychoir to Evansville as part of their na-tional tour,” said Jeremy Korba, director of liturgical music at the cathedral. “This ensemble is a lot of fun — and is sure to provide a wonderful evening of music.”
Founded in 1987 by current Artistic Director Frank Cimino with just 14 boys, the Maryland State Boychoir offers talented boys opportunities to sing and build self-esteem, self-discipline and character.
Maryland’s “Official Goodwill Ambassadors” today number approximately 150 choristers, ages 7 to 20, who represent a wide range of ethnic, socioeconomic, and religious backgrounds. They come from nine Maryland counties, Baltimore City, Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Pennsylvania.
The Evansville performance is “part of our growing Cathedral Sacred Music Series,” Korba said. “We are pleased to add them to an ever-growing list of performers from around the world who have performed at St. Benedict Cathedral.”
The Maryland State Boychoir program is intended to build the “whole person” — mentally, physically and spiritually, according to publicity information provided by the choir. Qualified applicants are accepted regardless of their families’ financial means and are not discriminated against on any ba-sis. Prior musical training is not expected, but an audition is re-quired.
Not only do choristers receive training in voice lessons and music theory, they also develop friendships with boys from varied backgrounds, build self-esteem and self-discipline through hard work and dedication, and develop a sense of community through their commitment to the organization.
The MSB performs over 60 times each year. They have performed throughout Maryland, in surrounding states, and on tours that have taken them to Ireland, Wales, England, The Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, France and Canada,.
Throughout the United States, the MSB has performed at the White House, the Kennedy Cen-ter and the National Cathedral in Washington D.C.