Lacey Alexander
Staff Writer
The Troy Arts Council will welcome a group of international guests next week when it hosts one of the best-known boys’ choirs in the world for a one-night performance.
On Tuesday, March 10 in Claudia Crosby Theater at 7 p.m., the Troy Arts Council will present a concert featuring The Vienna Boys Choir, an Austrian-based choir made entirely of boys aged 10-14 who come from 30 different nations.
Since the 14th century, boys have been singing at the court in Vienna.
The Vienna Boys Choir is a nonprofit organization, and the choir is divided into four touring groups, which perform approximately 300 shows a year.
Though most members are originally from Austria, the choir includes young men from all over the world.
Each of the four touring groups, all named after different Austrian composers, has a choirmaster and two tutors to accompany the boys.
Haydnchor, the choir that will be performing in Troy, is composed of 24 boys who come from a variety of countries, including Malaysia, Poland and Japan.
The U.S. tour will continue until the end of the year. Haydnchor will also be traveling to Alexander City and Oxford before it leaves Alabama for Tennessee.
Ruth Walker, president of the Troy Arts Council, says that having international guests to perform is beneficial to the community.
“We are a cultural arts organization,” Walker said. “It brings culture to our little town of Troy … The music will be a mix between imperial and contemporary … We’re fortunate to get them.”
Walker said that the choir performed in Troy in 2007 after being invited by the council’s presenter, John Jinright, and that it was a “huge success.”
“People were really taken by them,” she said. “They really are wonderful.”
Walker also said that the arts community in Troy is starting to build and that opportunities such as this one are happening more frequently.
“As small as Troy is, we have a lot to offer,” Walker said. “Between the events at the university and the events we provide … not many small towns have that to offer.”
Sarah Hunt, a sophomore theater major from Huntsville who is currently in the collegiate singers class, said that the boys’ choir coming to Troy is a welcome surprise.
“At first, I was surprised that such a famous choir was coming to little Troy,” said Hunt. “But I really do think it’s a great educational opportunity … It’s not every day that artists from the other side of the world visit our school.”
Tickets may be purchased on the Troy Arts Council’s website, troyartscouncil.com. Tickets are $20 for the public and $5 for students.