World Premiere Tribute to 50 Years of Art and Inspiration May 10, 2008

Over 3,000 boys have participated; they have traveled to more than 30 states and 20 countries. They have won a Grammy, sung for popes, presidents, heads of states and appeared on Oprah. And on May 10th, they will give their biggest performance in 50 years.

To the thousands of audience members who have seen them perform, the 120 elementary-age boys who make up the Atlanta Boy Choir are refined young men with an air of musical sophistication, but to their friends and family they are boisterous adolescents with a remarkable talent. And just as countless boys before them have done for fifty years, two to three times a week; the boys convene from throughout the metro area and surrounding counties at the historic Atlanta Boy Choir house. After a full day of learning, playing, and acting their age, the Choir members come to practice for two to four hours, depending on their concert schedule. Each boy checks their youthful tendencies at the front door and once inside, morph into the young men that leave lasting impressions on audiences around the world.

On Saturday, May 10, 2008, the Atlanta Boy Choir will showcase their seraphic voices as they celebrate the Choir’s 50th Anniversary with a performance at Atlanta Symphony Hall. 120 boys will perform with full orchestra the world premier of a specially commissioned work written for the Choir by renowned contemporary American composer Stephen Paulus. The piece is an adaption of Rudyard Kipling’s poem, If, about the journey from adolescence into adulthood, which should have particular resonance for the almost 3000 individuals and their families who have participated in the Atlanta Boy Choir since the 1950’s. Along with the debut of the Paulus composition, the Choir will perform Igor Stravinsky’s Symphony of Psalms and various other selections. The night will pay tribute to patrons and sponsors, alumni, the present day choir and the Atlanta Boy Choir’s 50 years of excellence. The event will begin at 7:30 pm. Tickets are on sale for $10.00, $25.00, and $50.00 and can be purchased by calling the Woodruff Arts Center Box Office at 404-733-5000 or go to www.woodruffcentertickets.org.


To learn more about the Atlanta Boy Choir and how you can help support their 50th Anniversary Season, please go to www.atlantaboychoir.org or call 404-378-0064.

For more information about Stephen Paulus, please go to http://www.stephenpaulus.com/.

Official Website: http://www.woodruffcentertickets.org