A Quiet End for Boys Choir of Harlem

The New York Times ^ | December 22, 2009 | SHARON OTTERMAN

[sitetest]

For more than three decades, they sang Mozart in Latin, Bach in German, and Cole Porter and Stevie Wonder in English, from Alice Tully Hall in New York to Royal Albert Hall in London.

For the audiences that marveled at the Boys Choir of Harlem, it was an additional wonder that the young performers with world-class voices had emerged from some of the most difficult neighborhoods of New York. December was always a busy month, as the choir toured the country’s premier concert halls and appeared on television Christmas specials.

But this year, the boys are nowhere to be found. Last week, Terrance Wright, a 39-year-old choir alumnus, picked up a microphone in front of the altar of Metropolitan Community United Methodist Church in Harlem, the choir’s last home, and delivered news that surprised few people but saddened many.

“Tell the people. Let it be known,” Mr. Wright said, glistening and exhausted after leading a Christmas concert by former singers in the choir. “There is no Boys and Girls Choir of Harlem.”

[sitetest]

I didn't see this posted. If it's a duplicate, my apologies.

[sitetest]

Classical Music Ping List ping!

If you want on or off this list, let me know via FR e-mail.

Thanks.

[WayneS]

This is, no doubt, George W. Bush’s fault, right?

[RushIsMyTeddyBear]

Didn’t they turn down an appearance for Glenn Beck’s Christmas Special?

[sitetest]

Dear RushIsMyTeddyBear,

I think that was the Harlem Gospel Choir.

sitetest

[sitetest]

LOL!!

[fatnotlazy]

It is sad. I once saw a live performance by the choir; it was awesome.

[bgill]

I someone had just read the stimulus plan, I’m sure somewhere around page #1,548 is a few million with their name on it.

[afraidfortherepublic]

Sad. I hope they can rejuvenate this program.

[RingerSIX]

The choir’s demise as a functional organization was a result of many factors, but everyone agrees it was set in motion by a single episode: an accusation by a 14-year-old boy in 2001 that a counselor on the choir’s staff had sexually abused him. The counselor eventually was sentenced to two years in prison.

Those faggots have an impact in everything they touch!

[Lizavetta]

For the audiences that marveled at the Boys Choir of Harlem, it was an additional wonder that the young performers with world-class voices had emerged from some of the most difficult neighborhoods of New York.

Because as we all know, gifted singers can only come from middle and upper income groups.

The soft bigotry of low expectations rears its ugly head again.

[Cicero]

The choir’s demise as a functional organization was a result of many factors, but everyone agrees it was set in motion by a single episode: an accusation by a 14-year-old boy in 2001 that a counselor on the choir’s staff had sexually abused him. The counselor eventually was sentenced to two years in prison.

Whether or not this guy was actually guilty, isn't it strange that whenever this happens in a GOOD organization, it becomes a terrible scandal that is used to shut down the organization. Yet here we are now, and Obama's Safe School Czar wants to teach ALL our kids to do this sort of thing, and evidently that's OK.

Democrats do it, that's politically correct. Christians do it, throw the book at them and use it as an excuse to destroy all of them, not just the guilty parties.

Is sex with minors OK, or isn't it? And can we stop using it as an excuse to destroy all the best things in our civilization instead of dealing specifically with the problem?

I remember the Harlem Boys Choir well, and I'm very sorry to hear about this. One more decent institution down the drain.

[RushIsMyTeddyBear]

Thanks for the correction! :)

[afraidfortherepublic]

Off topic, but did anyone here see “Sing Off” a contest show for a cappella choirs done on the format of American Idol? The Sunday before Christmas they ran a mini-marathon of Sing Off all day, but they stopped before the final show. The final show was supposed to run on Monday, but it wasn’t there. Does anyone know who won?

The 3 finalists were “Nota” — a group (about 6) of Puerto Rican males who were outstanding with their use of vocal percussion, “The Beezulbubs” — about 12 crazy guys from Tufts U in Boston, and the “Voices of Lee” a mixed choir from a college in TN.

I started out thinking that Nota was just a bunch of thugs, but I really became enchanted with their music. Their version of “Staying Alive” was fantastic!

[AGreatPer]

I saw them sing. Don't remember where or when. But they were fantastic. I do remember being so proud of them.

Seems to me that finances should not be a problem. I just don't get it.
This is a natural write-off for so many organizations, corporations, UNIONS, etc.

Besides a conductor/teacher/recruiter, they need a community organizer.

[popdonnelly]

That’s very sad news, indeed. Music is such a positive force in people’s lives. Young people who want to participate in a music program should have a chance.

[q_an_a]

No it is the fault of a man who abused one or more of the boys. Do you think the Boy Scouts have a reason for not letting gays be leaders? What a sad ending to the group about what was once a great story.

[RFH]

Re: The Sing Off - NOTA won. I saw the 2 hour finale here - it was a great show. You can watch the finale on Hulu.com if you want...

[afraidfortherepublic]

I predicted Nota, although I was a little put off by them in the beginning. I am sorry that I missed the finale. I hope they show it again and that I catch it. Thanks for the info.

[sitetest]

Dear AGreatPer,

“Seems to me that finances should not be a problem. I just don't get it.
This is a natural write-off for so many organizations, corporations, UNIONS, etc.”

It wouldn't expand/enhance anyone’s corporate or government fiefdom or empire.

sitetest