Grangeville Arts

The internationally acclaimed ALL-AMERICAN BOYS CHORUS will bring its troupe of young singers to Pioneer Park on August 4th, 2009 at 6 pm for a concert featuring their exciting SALUTE TO AMERICA’S MUSIC! The performance is free and part of the Summer Concert Series sponsored by Grangeville Chamber of Commerce and Grangeville Arts.
The 32-voice ensemble, whose members range from 9 to 14 years old, will present audience favorites from America’s musical history. Best of Broadway tunes include selections such as “Tonight” from West Side Story, “Ol’ Man River” from Showboat and “Lida Rose” from The Music Man. There will also be medleys featuring the California sounds of The Beach Boys, toe-tapping tunes from the Roaring Twenties, swinging songs from the Big Band era, dynamic Dixieland melodies and jazz classics. A patriotic tribute spotlighting the music of George M. Cohan and John Philip Sousa will include a stirring tribute to past and present members of the USA’s Armed Forces.
“The Chorus has been described as outstanding, pure energy and simply wonderful,” says Music Director Wesley Martin. “We’ve also developed a strong reputation for ‘theatricality’—for doing more than just standing there and singing.”
Executive Director Anthony S. Manrique notes that “throughout our 36-year history, The All-American Boys Chorus has provided boys—more than 900 of them to date—with the training, motivation and opportunity to develop and exercise leadership qualities within an exceptional program of choral music.”
The Manrique adds that the group has completed 42 concert tours in North America, Europe, Japan and Asia. “In 2005,” he says, “we experienced an absolutely wonderful trip during which we performed in Singapore, Beijing, Guangzhou, Seoul and Tokyo.”
The Chorus has appeared on the Disney Channel, in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade, at the Calgary Stampede and Edmonton Klondike Days in Canada, and in TV and radio commercials for Kentucky Fried Chicken, Mazda and TWA. The group also received enthusiastic reviews for its participation in various Opera Pacific productions at the Orange County Performing Arts Center. Among other credits is an appearance with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra and William Hall Master Chorale at the Hollywood Bowl.
The Chorus has produced five full-length albums, available on CD and cassette: the first is titled A Little Christmas Magic; the second, On the Sunny Side of the Street; the third, another holiday album named The Best Gift of All; the fourth, featuring audience favorites, called By Request!; and the latest, On Tour! For more information, visit the group’s Website at www.allamericanboyschorus.org. Numerous color images and a media center are among its features.