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Photo credit Gretchen Helene Photography
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As 2016 comes to an end, all of us at the Boston Children's Chorus wish you a very happy holiday. May you and your family enjoy peace and joy as the new year approaches. The Chorus' work will continue with even more energy in 2017. Thank you all for being there to support us. Our singers give you high-fives and happy smiles!
In this eNews:
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COLD HANDS. WARM HEARTS.
BCC DONATES MITTENS AND OTHER WINTER GEAR.
Ben Hires (left) of the Boston Children's Chorus delivers mittens and hats donated by chorus members for use by families with children at Crispus Attucks Children's Center.
Receiving the donation is Crispus Attucks Children's Center Executive Director Maritza Juliao (center) with help from Higher Ground Executive Director Mossik Hacobian (right).
Thank you to everyone who donated an item at our "Cold Hands. Warm Hearts. Joyful Voices." concert at Old South
Church.
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This week BCC received a big present! BCC finally found a new home at 20 Old Colony Avenue, South Boston. The new BCC home boasts twice as much space for singers and families for building community and singing!
Until further notice, BCC's mailing address will be PO Box 180676, Boston, MA 02118. In the spring we plan to have a big welcome party!
Special thanks to BCC's
facilities planning committee led by Board member Taylor Bodman. The committee members include Board Chair Tim Ferguson, Board members Pat Forbes, Meg Clough, Philip Weitzel; Architect Bob Adams; and staff members Celeste Wilson, Heather Rogers, and Ben Hires.
Thank you to all of the parents and singers who provided input. We could not have found our new home without your feedback and support.
Four rehearsal rooms are currently being constructed to better serve our singers and families. The cost of renovations is approximately $300,000. To date the BCC Board of Directors has pledged half of the goal. We are currently looking for more support for the capital expenses to increase BCC's impact.
Please contact Director of Individual Giving Sally Dale or Managing Director Celeste Wilson if you are interested in learning more about sponsorship, naming, or giving opportunities.
| Demolition at the new space to make way for new rehearsal rooms. City of Boston Inspection Services Commissioner Buddy Christopher, BCC Managing Director Celeste Wilson, and Architect Bob Adams working on finalizing our new building plans. |
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 14TH ANNUAL DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
TRIBUTE CONCERT: HOW I GOT OVER
Monday | January 16, 2017
Jordan Hall | New England Conservatory
30 Gainsborough Street, Boston
5:30 pm
Cocktails and Hors d'oeuvres Pre-Reception
7:00 pm
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute Concert
featuring the Premier Choir, Young Men's Ensemble, and Concert Choir.
Ticketing Options
$80 Pre-reception
$45 Premium section
$35 B section
$25 C section
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How I Got Over is the title of a spiritual performed by legendary gospel singer and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. favorite, Mahalia Jackson. The song was part of the program at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom where Dr. King's I Have A Dream speech was delivered. It was Ms. Jackson who called out from her seat behind the podium to Dr. King: "Tell them about the dream, Martin!" which prompted King to go off script with his historic and inspirational words.
This uplifting, gospel-themed concert celebrates Dr. King, the spirit and passion of all those who marched with Dr. King that monumental day, and those who still march today for economic and racial equality.
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The Boston Children's Chorus thanks and salutes our
14th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute Concert sponsors
for their generous support and commitment to a
corporate culture of equality and acceptance.
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Premier Platinum Level
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Gold Sponsor Level
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B
ronze Sponsor Level
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Susan and Digger Donahue
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BCC SAYS GOODBYE TO MICHELE ADAMS
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On December 11 the BCC community had the opportunity to say goodbye to Michele Adams, who is stepping down as Director of Choirs after nine wonderful years of working with hundreds of singers. In her own words, she writes:
This has been a time of reflection for me, and I look back with gratitude. It has been a gift to join with the board and staff to unite communities and bring music to Boston. I am especially thankful to our Artistic Director and President, Anthony Trecek-King, for the many opportunities he has given to me. It's been a privilege to work alongside him and an exceptional team of educators to grow this organization.
It has been a joy to know the singers of the BCC and partner with you, their families. As I have said many times, rehearsal with these musicians is time I treasure. While travel and many concerts stand out, it's the consistent effort demonstrated in rehearsals that has been the highlight of each week for all these years. It's there we learn and get to know one another. I have such admiration for these young artists; they are extraordinary.
We wish Michele the best on her next endeavor and know she will always have a place in our hearts.
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BCC WELCOMES BACK MRS. IDICHERIA
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While we say goodbye to Mrs. Adams, BCC singers and staff say welcome back to Mrs. Irene Idicheria. Mrs. Idicheria returns to West End House's Training Choir (WEH) in Allston to take over for Ms. Emily Howe, who will be taking over the full conducting duties of Concert Choir.
Mrs. I joined BCC in 2009 and conducted WEH and Central Training Choirs until 2014. She is currently a music teacher at Guilmette Elementary School in Lawrence, Massachusetts and has won numerous awards for her energetic and caring teaching style.
Other conducting changes include Ms. Howe taking over conducting duties at BCC's South Boston Training Choir at the Perry School for Mrs. Sophia Papoulis. Mrs. Papoulis will move from South Boston and assume the conducting duties of Central Intermediate Advanced as well as continue as the conductor of Central Intermediate.
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Kattrina is far left with singers and staff on the 2011 England and Scotland Tour.
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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: KATTRINA FREDERIQUE
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When I was asked to write about my achievements, as well as, what my time at BCC meant to me, believe it or not, I was at a loss for words. To say that the Boston Children's Chorus simply "shaped me" would be an understatement. I look back on my many years at BCC with fondness. My time spent there is now nothing but tear-filled memories. The memories of singing in different languages, traveling to different countries, meeting amazingly talented musicians, and making friends, and even the sad memories of saying goodbye to many of them during that time. Although the memories are bittersweet, I have every reason to be thankful to BCC for what it has done for me. The Boston Children's Chorus did more than just help me musically; it also helped me mentally and professionally.
Click here to read more of Kattrina's story
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 Back row: Carmen, Patrick, and Zachary,.Front row: Marjorie, and Jean-Caleb
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BCC FAMILY SPOTLIGHT:
ARTS IN THE SAINTIL-BELIZAIRE FAMILY
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Marjorie Saintil-Belizaire's three children are in BCC: Pierre Zachary (Young Men's Ensemble), Carmen (Central Intermediate Advanced) and Jean-Caleb (Central Intermediate). The three siblings also take string instrument lessons at Youth and Family Enrichment Services (YoFES), which serves the Haitian and Haitian American community in Boston. Greater Boston is home to the third largest concentration of Haitians in the USA. Marjorie's husband Patrick recently got into the musical action by singing with Zach at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Young Men's Concert "We Are" with other fathers.
However, the three BCC singers are not the only star artists of the family. Early this fall, Marjorie, a trained painter with art degrees from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Boston University, was appointed as a Boston Artist-in-Residence (Boston AIR) by Mayor Martin J. Walsh. Marjorie is working in her own community of Mattapan to use art as a form of social practice to change negative narrative and stigma of Mattapan. Art
is
used to
challenge and engage
the community
to think
of Mattapan in a different way. She is developing various
art programs for the community
to highlight
Mattapan's rich
history and beautiful culture.
Earlier this fall, she was also one of the Boston artists chosen by Celebrity Series to paint a local street piano for the program "Play Me, I'm Yours." Her piano was placed in Mattapan Square and enjoyed by many local community members.
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Click above to watch a Celebrity Series
video about the making of Marjorie's piano.
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PLEASE CONSIDER GIVING US A YEAR-END GIFT!
Please consider making a year-end gift to BCC. As we end the calendar year, we are only half way through teaching and performing music. We still have six more months of exciting concerts, guest artists, and trips.
Every gift makes it possible to provide the experiences and life-long memories that alumni like Kattrina Frederique had in BCC and for current families like Saintil-Belizaires.
Thank you for supporting BCC and the future of our communities!
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