Figure 1.--Many American boy choirs have given considerable attention to their costumes. American choirs have generally worn blazers with both long and short pants, but the short pants uniforms disappeared in the 1960s. These boys are members of the Wilmington Boys Choir

Foundation

The Wilmington Boys Choir, a non-profit, nonsectarian ensemble was founded in 1984. The Wilmington Boys Choir was organized in 1984 by its former director, Mr. David Hines.

Mission

The Wilmington Boys Choir is dedicated to providing boys 8 years old and up with the opportunity to rehearse and perform choral music from a variety of musical styles, including classical, modern, folk, and spiritual.

Selection

The boys audition for a place in the choir or are referred by a public school music teacher.

Training

The boys rehearse one or two afternoons per week, juggling school work, music lessons, sports, and church activities. They work hard, take pride in their accomplishments, and reap many rewards as well. History and Background.

Directors

The Wilmington Boys Choir was organized by its former director, Mr. David Hines. The choir has had four directors, Mr. Hines from 1984 to 1990, Mr. Reggie Rushing from 1990 to 1991, Mr. William Remele from 1991. The Wilmington Boys Choir is currently under the direction of Ms. Sandy Errante, who has directed the group since 1993. She is also founder and director of the Girl's Choir of Wilmington Choir of Wilmington. Her husband, Dr. Steven Errante, Conductor of the Wilmington Symphony and a member of the music faculty at UNCW, is the accompanist.

Performances

Over the years, the choir has given numerous concerts in the Wilmington area. The choir has traveled and performed at the Duke University Chapel, East Carolina University for the American Choral Directors, Bruton Parish Church, Williamsburg, Virginia, and New York City. They have performed in Washington, DC at the State Capitol, US Senate Building and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. In 1993, under the direction of Mr. Remele, the choir traveled to Doncaster, England, Wilmington's sister city. While in England, it performed at various places including Westminster Abbey. In early January 1993, also under the direction of Mr. Remele, they sang four Christmas concerts at the Biltmore Estate near Ashville performing "Britten's CEREMONY OF CAROLS" For the 1996 Christmas season, the choir performed with Ms. Judy Collins at Thalian Hall, Wilmington, NC. Later in the spring of 1997, the choir performed in Richmond, VA and in the National Cathedral, Washington, DC. For their spring tour 2000, the WBC traveled to Charleston, SC and Orlando FL performing at a variety of locations along the way.

Figure 2.--The Wilmington Boys Choir give some of their performances in choir robes.

Choir Costumes

The Wilmington Boys Choir like many American choirs wear blazers. The Wilmington boys wear navy blue blazers with the choir crest. For some of their performances they wear choir robes, red and white robes.