Three months ago, Connor Chung’s musical performances were limited to singing in his shower. Today, the sixth grader from Glenmont performs to crowds of hundreds, and sometimes more.
“We thought about how it would be cool if he had an outlet to sing,” said James Chung, Connor’s father. “Then out of the blue we got an email from a Delmar parent suggesting that he might like this choir.”
Connor, 12, is one of 17 boys ranging from ages 7 to 14 in The Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys. The group sings the soprano alongside 12 professional men who contribute the alto, tenor and bass parts. For more than 140 years, the choir has been an integral part of The Cathedral of All Saints in Albany.
Men and boy’s choirs date back to the Middle Ages when, boys were responsible for contributing a treble sound to church music, since women at that time were typically excluded from performing in church alongside men. It’s a tradition that has lived on in many English cathedrals.
“Mixed choirs were unusual,” said Woodrow Bynum, musical director of The Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys. “In the City of Albany, there were at least six if not more choirs like this.”
The choristers come from all over the Capital District and from various backgrounds, faiths and cultures.
“The music and the singing experience is what unites them,” Bynum said.
The boys go through what Bynum calls a screening, which he was careful to distinguish from a high-stress Broadway audition.
“They need to be able to match pitch and demonstrate considerable musical aptitude,” he said. “They don’t necessarily have to show up perfectly trained reading music. It’s our job to teach them that.”
Once accepted, the boys are quickly introduced to the demanding world of professional music.
“It’s an enormous commitment and we take it very seriously,” Bynum said.
The choir rehearses about five hours a week, sings at the Cathedral most Sundays and participates in a number of larger performances throughout the year.
“We just did Mozart’s Requiem on March 12 with a period instrument orchestra and four incredible soloists,” said Bynum.
James Chung said he and his wife were hesitant at first, but in just three short months they are finding it to be a remarkable experience for the entire family.
“The last thing in the world I ever would have done is chosen to spend 2 1/2 hours in a choral musical performance, until I went to see these kids perform. That was one of the most remarkable 2 ½ hour performances I have ever seen in my life,” said James Chung. “What this is doing for Connor – what he gets to do – it’s just remarkable. I’ve been stunned seeing what these boys are doing, what he’s learning about music, what he’s learning about himself, what he’s learning about working with a group and what he’s learning about performing at standards of excellence.”
Bynum said the standards are set very high for all the choral members, including the youngest at just 9 years old.
“It’s extremely demanding because of the amount of music that we have to put together week-to-week,” Bynum said. “Typically, if we are singing something on Sunday, very often they see it for the first time on Wednesday. You have to be able to walk in and just do it.”
Choristers are expected to stay with the program until their voice changes, which Bynum said is typically eighth or ninth grade.
“These days voices tend to change earlier than they did in past generations, although they can still surprise you,” Bynum said.
Bynum said some of the boys will continue to sing the lower parts in the choir, but that is not the expectation.
As for Chung, his father said he doesn’t know yet if his future will involve music, but for now he knows his son is having a remarkable time.
“He was basically a kid who sang in the shower, now he’s a kid whose voice is an instrument,” he said.
On Friday, April 19, from 6 to 8 p.m., The Friends of the Choir, a group put together to help with financial assistance for the choir, will hold a wine tasting event at the The Cathedral of All Saints, at 62 South Swan St. in Albany. The event, Vin De Choir: A Night of Wine and Song, will feature music by The Boys of the Cathedral Choir.
“The boys will be singing things that we don’t necessarily sing in church – I think we are doing ‘Bye Bye Blackbird’ and ‘What a Wonderful World,’” Bynum said.
Kinderhook Wine and Spirits will provide a range of wines for tasting.
“The cathedral is an interesting place to host something like this because it doesn’t have pews. All the chairs can be moved out. All of a sudden you find yourself in this enormous space with one of the highest ceilings in the Capital District – it’s a beautiful environment,” Bynum said.
Tickets to the wine tasting event are $40 and can be purchased at vindechoir.brownpapertickets.com or by calling 800-838-3006.
The Choir of Men and Boys sings most Sundays at 10 a.m. at The Cathedral of All Saints. One Sunday a month at 3 p.m., the church holds an Evensong service where the service is sung from beginning to end by the choir. For more information, visit www.thecathedralofallsaints.org