The genesis of the Boston Children’s Chorus 2009 trip to Jordan goes back two years earlier when King Abdullah attended an event at the Harvard Club where the BCC was performing.

"I could see that the King was really into it and really inspired,” said BCC Executive Director David Howse, who recalled that the King met and spoke with the singers following their performance.

“He comes in in a regular suit, shakes every hand, talks to every kid, says ‘I was really inspired by what you did, what you represent; this is how things should really work’ and vowed his continued support."

From that time, official channels of communication remained open between the BCC and the King through His Excellency Senator Akel Biltaji. (Mr. Biltaji, who served under King Hussein prior to working with his son, King Abdullah, currently serves as Chairman of the Tourism and Heritage House Committee, a member of the Foreign Relations, Health and Environment and Education House Committees.)

This opportunity to explore the trove of native music abroad coincided with Artistic Director Anthony Trecek-King’s desire to teach about relations between the Western and Middle Eastern worlds through music. Sixty members of the BCC, ages 12-18, toured the country giving a series of performances – at venues in Amman as well as rural areas around the country – including one on July 4, at the American Embassy.

Boston Children's Chorus wishes to thank State Street; the U.S. Embassy in Amman, Jordanian Tourism Board, Royal Jordanian Airline, Pepsi, Converse, Marriott, Next Street, Blue Cross Blue Shield, The Royal Hashemite Court, and Senator Biltaji, for their support.