Kara Clark, Saint Paul's Parish
kclark@stpaulparish.org
The Boy Choristers of Saint Paul’s Choir School sing Mahler Symphony No. 3 at Symphony Hall.
On April 8th, the Boy Choristers of Saint Paul’s Choir School returned to Symphony Hall for the first time since the pandemic shuttered live music throughout the world.
They were invited to join the ranks of over one hundred musicians in the performance of Mahler’s Symphony No. 3 with the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, under the direction of renowned conductor, Benjamin Zander. Alongside mezzo-soprano soloist, Susan Platts and Chorus pro Musica, the boys’ voices were featured in the fifth movement as bell-like, ethereal effects which complemented the women’s choir and orchestra.
The boy choristers proudly sang their parts from the second balcony, which is incidentally where Choir School founder, Theodore Marier sat for every concert he attended at Symphony Hall. It was a magnificent showing of music ending with numerous standing ovations! The choristers will no doubt remember this unique experience for years to come.
Following the Boston Philharmonic performance, the boys had the pleasure of visiting WGBH studios for an interview with podcaster, Aaron Cohen, creator of “The World of Gustav Mahler.” This will be part of Aaron’s podcast series on the works of Mahler, where he interviews the world's great conductors, performers, and composers.
The boys were announced live on WCRB Classical after their interview!
The Saint Paul’s Choir of Men and Boys continued their robust schedule with over 12 hours’ worth of Holy Week and Easter at Saint Paul’s Church. Saint Paul’s Parish welcomed 31 new members in the Church during the Easter Vigil Mass on April 16. Read more about their beautiful conversion stories here. At Easter Sunday mass, the choir triumphantly sang the Coronation Mass by Mozart along with organ and brass ensemble. The choir also premiered several new works by Music Director, James Kennerley, composed especially for these occasions. You can access the archived videos of Holy Week and Easter performances on our YouTube page.
Coming Up! Not to be missed…Sunday, May 15 at 3pm The Choir of Men and Boys will be performing a concert of early music at St. Paul’s Church. The program includes Mozart’s charming and effervescent “Sparrow” Mass, and Laudate Dominum, as well as Vivaldi’s uplifting Gloria. Joining the choir are acclaimed members of Melius Ensemble, a period-instrument orchestra founded by James Kennerley in 2019. “The Vivaldi and Mozart pieces will form a thrilling showcase for both the choir and orchestra.” comments director James Kennerley. “Boston has long been the epicenter of early music performance in the US (and, indeed, the world). It will be thrilling to have the Saint Paul’s Choir, long-admired for their performances of the music of Mozart and Vivaldi, joined by the nation’s top historical instrumentalists.” Tickets are available now!
The Saint Paul’s Choir of Men and Boys is one of the premier ensembles of its type in the country, topping the Billboard Classical charts with their latest commercial recording. The choir is comprised of boy choristers in Grades 5-8, educated in the European Cathedral school tradition at Saint Paul’s Choir School, in addition to altos, tenors, and basses. These individuals are drawn from Boston’s top professional singers in addition to the Choral Scholars, recent graduates of the Choir School. The choir performs hymns, plainchant, and the very finest choral music drawn from the Church’s extensive and rich repertoire weekly in the sublime acoustic of Saint Paul’s Church. The boy choristers offer daily choral services during term time, in addition to frequent concerts, international tours, and recordings. They most recently collaborated with the Boston Symphony Orchestra in a performance of Leonard Bernstein’s Kaddish Symphony. Since the founding of the Choir School in 1963 by Dr. Theodore Marier, the choir has enjoyed long-time collaborations with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Boston Lyric Opera, Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Boston Pops, in addition to producing two commercial CD recordings and making appearances at Fenway Park and on Good Morning America.
