Who We Are
Portland Boychoir is unique as the only all-boy choir in the Portland-metropolitan area. It provides a choral setting where boys’ identity, personality, and self-esteem are fostered by musical excellence. On a social level they learn how to interact with other boys in an empowering way. Our musical training provides them with knowledge that will enrich their lives, both as performers and audience members.
Professional-quality performances and guest appearances develop skill and self- confidence. Tours and camps offer an active environment where the boys can deepen relationships and practice cooperation between one another.
Boys to Men
Portland Boychoir’s mentoring program inspires boys of all ages. The young singers look to the older boys as examples for performance achievement, behavioral standards, and as recipients of earned privileges such as touring and prestigious performance opportunities. The older, more experienced participants in Advanced Choir and Gents who demonstrate appropriate maturity and leadership characteristics may be selected as honored mentors. Being a mentor means learning all music quickly and accurately, displaying appropriate behavior and attitude, consequently supporting the director during rehearsals in various ways.
First-Rate Training
Advanced music skills taught by Portland Boychoir include sight singing, ear training, healthy and robust vocal production, singing in harmony, and stage presence. Our training program provides meaningful learning opportunities at every stage of a boy’s music education to improve musicianship, to build confidence, and to gain experience. Each member advances at his own pace. Promotion is based on skill level, maturity, behavior, and attendance and is not guaranteed through training alone.
Professional Performance Opportunities
In addition to our regular concert series, Portland Boychoir has collaborated with many high-profile artists including Pink Martini, Michael Allen Harrison, Bells of the Cascades, Daniel Nahmod, Portland Chamber Orchestra, Revalia Estonian Young Men’s Chorus, Phoenix Boychoir, Tucson Boys Chorus, The Tenors, and Matsiko World Orphan Choir to name a few.
Portland Boychoir
Portland Boychoir repertoire covers a wide range of styles including classical, pop, and show tunes. As the boys work together and collaborate with other choirs and musicians, they grow socially as well as musically.
The Boychoir experience opens doors for future musical opportunities of many different forms. A choral music education provides a greater capacity to ‘hear’ music as an appreciative audience member. Most boys gain a life long avocation. For exceptional singers, musical passions can be ignited, providing a jump-start to careers as professional musicians.
Primary Boys (ages 6 to 8) This choir teaches our youngest singers the basics of music reading, how to sing in tune with freedom and ease, how to work together, performance etiquette, and fun, age-appropriate songs.
Intermediate Boys (ages 7 to 11) This choir prepares the boys for the opportunity to audition for Advanced Boys. Training is fun, fast, and full with emphasis on continued good vocal production, part-singing, music literacy, performance decorum, and stage presence.
Advanced Boys (ages 10 to 16) This choir is comprised of treble-voiced and changing-voiced boys with advanced music-reading skills and excellent vocal production. It is the treble part of Portland Boychoir’s premier performing and touring choir.