Singers celebrate King

Somerville Journal

Thursday, December 22, 2005

On Jan. 16, three major cities will change how our nation celebrates a great man and his legacy. Presenting a world premiere of "A Trilogy of Dreams" based on the works of poet Langston Hughes, this multiracial, multi-ethnic ensemble will ignite Jordan Hall at its third annual King Holiday concert. The concert will be telecast live on ABC-TV Channel 5, the first U.S. children's choral concert honoring Dr. King to be presented live on major network television.

The Boston Children's Chorus will be joined by nationally renowned guests the Chicago Children's Choir and the Young People's Chorus of New York City. Through artistic excellence and the power of children singing, Chicago, New York City and Boston will unite in this blockbuster program, elevating the celebration of the King holiday to a new level of vibrancy and social significance.

"I love the music-making," says Hubie Jones, founder and president of the Boston Children's Chorus, "but what I really love is the community-making. You can see social barriers crumble when these kids are standing side by side, sharing folders of music, singing their hearts out."

Seven of the young singers are from Somerville: Benjamin Hosking, Etta Resnick-Field, Brien Spier, Melina Garro-Duplisea, Tayla Plett, Marisa Rafal and Kenya Teixeira.

Dream With Them

Boston Phoenix

Friday, December 16, 2005

The Boston Children's Chorus

Martin Luther King Jr. famously wrote in his "I have a dream" speech that he dreamt of the day when "all of God’s children will be able to sing." A good number of God’s children will realize that goal when the Boston Children’s Chorus, the Chicago Children’s Choir, and the Young People’s Chorus of New York City assemble at Jordan Hall on January 16 to perform the world premiere of "A Trilogy of Dreams," which is based on the works of Langston Hughes. What’s more, this celebration of Martin Luther King Day will be aired live on Channel 5. Jordan Hall is at 30 Gainsborough St, Boston | 6:30 pm | $15-$25 | 617.778.2242.

Bromfield Teen Has the Music in Him

Harvard Post

By Nan Shnitzler
September 9, 2005

If it weren't for Action Unlimited, Paul-Jordan Talbot might not have gone to Japan. Two years ago, he answered a request for auditions from the Boston Children's Chorus that appeared in the ubiquitous weekly advertising circular. "It was just the beginning," said his mother, Marie Talbot.

In only its second year, the Boston Children's Chorus was one of four U.S. children's choirs invited to perform at the second International Children's Chorale Festival in Seto City, Japan from July 26 to Aug. 2. The festival was held in conjunction with the Aichi World Exposition, a multinational world's fair of cultural exchange expected to attract 20 million visitors over six months.

For the Boston Children's Chorus, it was an extraordinary opportunity to take its mission - the community-building power of children and music - to a global stage. The chorus was built from the ground up with children of diverse backgrounds, having at least two things in common: youthful promise and a love of singing. Indeed, the festival, called "In Harmony," was designed to bring together children from Japan and the U.S. to encourage international friendships and understanding.

Perhaps nothing fosters cultural understanding more tangibly than a homestay. During the festival, local Japanese residents volunteered as host families and welcomed singers, chaperones and parents into their homes as members of their families. "The host family piece is wonderful," Marie said.

The 28 singers and chaperones were not sent into the unfamiliar world of kanji and tatami mats without preparation. Four orientation sessions at the Children's Museum in Boston taught them Japanese phrases and manners, how to use chopsticks, and how to cope with high-tech Japanese bathrooms. A key insight was the museum's 100-year-old wooden Japanese house, given to Boston by its Japanese sister city of Kyoto. "The houses we stayed at were very similar to the house at the museum," Marie said.

"They don't use nails," chimed in Paul-Jordan. They're notched like Lincoln Logs, he said.

Paul_Jordon Talbot and his mom Marie are flanked by their Japanese host family Akemi Tateyama (left) and Takatune Tateyama.

Paul-Jordan Talbot and his mom Marie are flanked by their Japanese host family Akemi Tateyama (left) and Takatune Tateyama.
(Courtesy photo)

One of many highlights for Paul-Jordan was celebrating his 14th birthday in Japan. He was feted by his fellow choir members and presented with a candle-laden birthday cake by his host family that he said was delicious but smaller than it looked in photos, stacks of which Marie and Paul-Jordan are looking forward to filing in albums.

No international cultural exchange is complete without swag. The Boston-based singers shared key rings, pencils, pins and hats commemorating the children's choir and the Rex Sox World Championship. They gave a Red Sox shirt to the mayor of Inuyama, their resident city, located not far from Nagoya. In return they received dolls, more pins, origami and even custom-made kimonos in which they performed at one of their four concerts. Next year's chorale festival is in Chicago, but both Talbots said they would love to go back to Japan.

The Boston Children's Chorus is a big commitment for the Bromfield freshman. Ninety- minute rehearsals, twice weekly, are coupled with performances almost every weekend, but Paul-Jordan loves it. The longer the rehearsal, the more energized he gets. Hour-long drives from Harvard to Boston are homework time. Does he warm up his voice in the car? Not in front of my mom, he teased, although he admitted to singing in the shower. "I'm alone in there," he said.

Paul-Jordan has been singing for half his life. "Since he was 8, he would just sing," Marie said. He began chorus with the Arts Alliance Pro Musica Youth Chorus in Hudson and Boston Bel Canto Opera directed by Bradley Pennington, with whom he took private voice lessons for two years. He'll choose musical theater over singing or acting alone. Among his roles have been Amahl in "Amahl and the Night Visitors" with Boston Bel Canto; Nicely Nicely Johnson in "Guys and Dolls" with Arts Alliance Summer Drama Workshop in Hudson; and the Artful Dodger in "Oliver!" presented by Bromfield Drama Society. He also plays guitar for fun, percussion and timpani with the Bromfield band and sings with the school chorus.

Paul-Jordan enjoys music and art to the exclusion of almost any other academics. He brought thick comic books, called manga, back from Japan and emulates the big-eyed spiky-haired characters in his sketchbook. He can memorize stacks of sheet music in English and Japanese, along with choreography and sign language for concerts. At one time he knew the entire script for the movie "Monty Python and the Holy Grail." But don't ask him about Spanish irregular verbs. "I have a good memory for music, not for Spanish or math formulas," he said.

"I remember what I want to remember."

Young Melrose singer visits Japan

Melrose Free Press

By Greg Duggan/ gduggan@cnc.com
September 1, 2005

Kimonos, castles, origami and very few lunches. For 12-year-old Grace Thompson, a recent trip to Asia with the Boston Children's Chorus (BCC) opened her eyes to the cultural differences of life in Japan.

"I've always loved to sing," Thompson said, but she never expected her voice to be a ticket to Japan. Yet, after joining the BCC last November, Thompson had the talent and good fortune to participate in the second International Children's Chorale Festival, held in Inuyama, Japan as part of the World Exposition.

Grace Thompson, bottom row, second from left, poses in Japanese attire while on a trip to Japan with the Boston Children’s Chorus.
(Courtesy photo)

Thompson was one of 28 singers from the BCC to travel overseas, where the group sang both English and Japanese songs during three concerts held from Jul. 26 to Aug. 2. Althosinging in a foreign language may sound impressive, Thompson modestly said that after practicing all year, the songs and foreign words "weren't terribly hard to memorize."

In fact, singing in Japanese allowed the BCC to collaborate with the Japanese choruses, Thompson's favorite part of the trip.

"Singing with the other choruses, we actually got to stand next to them and say hello," Thompson said. More than simply physical proximity, sharing a language, even for a brief time, made her feel that much closer to her Japanese peers.

Rather than merely introducing the American singers to the Japanese choruses, however, the trip actually placed the children with host families. Parents had no contact with their kids, and the children fully immersed themselves in Japanese lifestyle.

Thompson's hosts, two women, didn't speak much English, so they communicated with the help of bilingual dictionaries. The language barrier did little to hinder a great experience, as the hosts took Thompson and her roommate, also from the BCC, to a nearby castle and to the local mall. The only big adjustment Thompson had to make was foregoing lunch.

"My host family didn't really have lunch," she said. "They just had a big breakfast."

Thompson came home with more than just memories: a kimono given to her from organizers at the World Exposition and plenty of origami from one of her host's nephews. She also made sure to bring a bit of Massachusetts to Japan, handing out gummy lobsters, BCC pencils, and lots of Red Sox memorabilia.

The trip forged a relationship Thompson will never forget. She recently received a post card from her host family, and plans to write back soon.

"I definitely want to go back and see them," she said.

Children's Chorus hits the high notes

Boston Herald

By Swanee Hunt
August 22, 2005

Every city has its ethnic neighborhoods, but often, rather than being rich in hope, they become disconnected pockets, cut off from the benefits of urban life. With this in mind, Hubie Jones, founder of the Boston Children's Chorus, has set to work constructing a cultural bridge. He knows that the world has become more dangerous, especially for kids. There are plenty of destructive options and temptations on the city streets, even in the schools. But it's against that backdrop that this civic leader has created a showstopper.

In 2003, Jones created the chorus, modeling it after the 47-year-old Chicago Children's Choir, which has performed from Carnegie Hall to the Ukraine. Jones' dream has grown to nearly 150 children, from grades 2-12. After a highly successful debut for a sold-out crowd of more than a thousand (with only three months of rehearsals under their belts), they performed a year later at the Democratic National Convention. It's no wonder they're receiving more singing requests than they can handle.

Like other children's choruses, the Boston group provides music education and performance experience. It also provides the building blocks every boy or girl needs: analytical, communication, leadership, and teamwork skills. With a big grin, Jonathan, a singer in the group, says, "I used to get so nervous when I stood in front of a big audience. Now, here's what the chorus has given me _ confidence!"

The children learn that hard work and practice pay off. Not only can they hear the progress in their voices, they also get plenty of encouragement from the audience. Eddie, another chorister, asks with pride, "Do you know what it feels like to bring a crowd of people to their feet? It's amazing!"

Educators and parents know that youth development is fraught with difficult times, but research shows the arts can help. Kids involved in arts activities drop out of high school by sophomore year at a rate one third that of others. That's huge. And older students who take at least four years of arts classes score nearly 100 points higher on their SATs than those who take one-half year or less.

But what makes the Boston Children's Chorus especially significant is its diversity _ its rich geographic, ethnic, religious, and socio-economic range. Thirty-five percent of the children are white, 31 percent black, 16 percent Latino, 7 percent Asian, and 11 percent from mixed- race families. The result is a multi-cultural ensemble woven into a cohesive, harmonious, and powerful singing group. After years working in the community, I realized that the best way to bring people together over racial, ethnic, and social class divides is through the arts," says Hubie Jones.

The kids' repertoire is as diverse as the group itself. They have performed Angolan folk songs, Quaker hymns, Hebrew spirituals, and Spanish lullabies. All the songs have a positive message, focusing on peace, overcoming obstacles, and supporting one another.

And so, through music, the chorus is promoting social healing. This is a talented and serious chorus, and training is often intense; but there's also time for socializing. "I love the music- making," Jones says. "But what I really love is the community-making." Merely getting a diverse bunch of people into the same room does little to bridge divides. But social barriers crumble when these kids are standing side by side, sharing folders of music, singing their hearts out.

A diverse group of performers attracts a diverse audience. The chorus has managed to unite Boston kids, families and civic leaders. What's magic about music? It's a natural cultural bridge. The singing voice is an intimate, personal expression, but children singing add the innocence and poignancy that brings an audience to tears.

The chorus recently traveled outside its home base to perform at the International Children's Choral Festival in Japan. Knowing they would be living with Japanese families, before they left the children took part in cultural orientation programs, learning to eat with chopsticks without leaving a trail on their shirts, discovering a new, exotic way of bathing, and practicing other etiquette pointers for a Japanese home-stay.

At home or abroad, Hubie Jones is determined to create a "singing revolution." Watching the kids march onto the stage in their spiffy red blazers, I'd say the Boston Children's Chorus seems like as good a revolutionary force as any around.

(Swanee Hunt, former U.S. ambassador to Austria, teaches at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government and is author of "This Was Not Our War: Bosnian Women Reclaiming the Peace." She can be reached at response@swaneehunt.org.)

Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.shns.com
Copyright Boston Herald

Children's chorus learns customs of Japan before heading overseas

Boston Globe

By Meghan Colloton, Globe Correspondent
July 3, 2005

Hyde Park resident Elizabeth Keith, 10, clutched her spiral notebook, feverishly taking notes as her teacher, Akemi Chayama, demonstrated how to bathe in a Japanese home.

Chayama, a cultural orientation coordinator from the Boston Children's Museum in charge of the Japanese House exhibition, pretended to lather soap onto a green cloth and scrub her back. Then, pouring an empty water basin onto her fully clothed body, she said, ''You need to scoop the water from the tub with this basin and pour it over yourself like this."

Keith and her 27 fellow Boston Children's Chorus members were participating last month in their third of four cultural orientation programs to learn more about Japan's lifestyle so they will be prepared for their upcoming trip to Nagoya and Aichi, Japan.

The Boston Children's Chorus will perform at the second International Children's Chorale Festival from July 26 through Aug. 2. The festival is part of the Aichi World Exposition, which organizers hope will bring 20 million visitors from 130 countries within its six-month duration. The festival's purpose is less ambitious: to bring together American and Japanese children who love to sing, to demonstrate their abilities and establish international friendships.

"The goal of our choir is to build bridges between communities," said David House, the chorus's director of programming and community impact. "Our chorus is so diverse and we wanted our children to not only forge friendships with each other, but also their Japanese friends."

The children's chorus gets its members from communities around Greater Boston, including five youths from the northwest suburbs: Pepa Salvia from Chelmsford, Robbie Strong from Lexington, Paul-Jordan Talbot from Harvard, and Jackson Thea and Lily Wasserman from Belmont.

In its second season of performing, the chorus is one of only four similar US choirs to be invited to the festival.

"Our concert choir is comprised of fourth- to ninth-graders," said chorus artistic director Darren Dailey. "These kids have a strong sense of maturity and musicship. We hope that this trip will help the children to deepen their friendships with each other, with other Japanese children, and with their host families."

Each child will stay with a Japanese host family, with whom they will experience everyday life Japanese-style.

Some of the children are realizing that Japanese customs are a tad different than the American ways they are used to.

"It's hard to eat with chopsticks," said Dwijuana Reid-Howell, 10, of Boston . "And I've tried some of the Japanese food, but there are only a few things I like to eat."

Nevertheless, Reid-Howell is excited to delve into Japanese culture. In her previous cultural orientation programs, she learned that technology in Japan is highly advanced. She hopes to see gadgets that Americans don't know about yet. "To be honest," she confides, "I'm most excited about shopping. The fashion is really cool."

The cultural orientation programs, put together by Chayama and Willamarie Moore, a former colleague at the Children's Museum, help to prepare the children for the new experiences they will encounter on the journey.

"We are teaching these children Japan 101," said Moore . "I am trying to focus on the Nagoya and Aichi regions because these are the places the children will mainly be staying."

At the orientation lesson, about 15 choral members filed through the Japanese House doors Chayama slid open for them. Each child quickly removed his or her shoes and found a place around the small wooden table.

The girls tucked their legs underneath themselves, while the boys crossed their legs.

"Your bodies are hanging limp," observed Chayama. "You need to sit up straight. That is the polite way to sit."

Mia Ferguson, 11, of Brookline , in her second year in the chorus, loves learning about Japanese tradition and culture. Chayama has taught her that there are many signs of respect that need to be considered when traveling to these new cities.

Ferguson has already traveled abroad, but this will be her first trip without her parents.

"I'm so used to being with my parents or having my parents with me," said Ferguson . "I'm a little nervous about spending such a long period of time with my friends. We have never been together for this long before."

"Music has a way of opening doors," said Dailey. "Orchestras have instruments to lug around, but a choir can pick up and go anywhere. The singing voice is an intimate, personal expression, and these kids deliver."

On a prayer and a song

The Allston Brighton TAB

By Erin Smith/ Staff Writer
Friday, February 4, 2005

Natachia Kotomori and Jonathan Kotomori love to sing.

This year alone, one of the sibling duo has sung at Symphony Hall, the Boston Children's Museum, the Martin Luther King Day tribute at Jordan Hall, the Boston Opera House and the Democratic National Convention.

"They've been exposed to a lot of places that they normally wouldn't be at their age," said grandmother Harriet Kotomori. "It's like being on an adventure."

The Kotomori children are members of the multiple-choir Boston Children's Chorus. Jonathan is in the treble choir, and Natachia sings in the concert choir.

The citywide chorus, barely a year old, traces its roots back to October 2002 when more than 200 children sang at the dedication of the Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge. A year later, activist Hubie Jones created the 113-member group, closely modeled after Chicago's successful children's choruses.

Natachia Kotomori, center, of Allston, sings in Friday's rehearsal of the Boston Children's Concert Choir.
(Staff photo by Kate Flock)

Looking for more

Only nine children from Allston-Brighton sing in the audition choruses, but Kotomori hopes more neighborhood children will join her grandchildren at the singing group as the chorus becomes better known.

Her grandmother appreciates the structure and musical knowledge that the chorus gives the children. Choir members are held to strict standards. Members are expected to be punctual and attend every rehearsal, barring serious illness or emergency.

Choir members are taught how to bow at the end of performances, how to carry music folders and even proper singing posture.

But Natachia sums up the her chorus experience in simpler terms.

"You get to meet new friends and travel," said 12-year-old Allstonian Natachia.

Next summer, Boston Children's Chorus concert chorus will travel to an international music festival in Seto City, Japan. The group will be only one of four U.S. children's choirs invited to perform.

Eddie Dodson of Brighton is excited represent Boston in Japan this summer. This will be Dodson's first flight off of the continent. The only other country he has ever visited is Canada.

"I'm excited because I think it's a great opportunity, and I think it's going to make our chorus more open to new things," said Dodson with a wisdom beyond his 11 years.

Talking Japanese

One of those new things involves learning a song in Japanese. Although Dodson does not speak a word of Japanese, he is not nervous about learning.

Dodson is rarely nervous about anything anymore, said Marcie Osinsky, Dodson's stepmother.

Osinsky said Dodson teaches his family music harmonies on the drive home from chorus practice. Although Dodson has always enjoyed singing at home, the concert chorus is his first membership in a singing group.

The chorus eventually helped Dodson overcome his initial stage fright, said Osinsky.

"He said, 'Once you've sung at Jordan Hall, you're not nervous about anything," said Osinsky.

Copyright by the townonline.com and Herald Interactive Advertising Systems, Inc.

DIVERSE VOICES: Social change through music is mission of Boston Children's Chorus

The Patriot Ledger

By Jody Feinberg
Transmitted Saturday, January 29, 2005

When the Boston Children's Chorus sings at Berklee Performance Center next week, the youngsters will raise their voices for a better world.

Just 15 months old, the Boston Children's Chorus has an ambitious agenda - to bring together city and suburban children to make music that will break down barriers and bring people together.

"The chorus has a powerful social as well as artistic message," said executive director Muriel Heilberger. "Its mission is to use music as a tool for a social change."

Over the past year, the chorus has grown from 76 to 122 children in grades 2-9 and has performed more than a dozen times in formal and informal settings. For the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, the children sang at Jordan Hall, at Temple Israel in Boston and at the Seaport Convention Center. It has sung for audiences as diverse as delegates to the Democratic National Convention and residents in nursing homes.

Though Boston has several other children's choruses, this one distinguishes itself by its geographic and ethnic diversity, its multitude of performance opportunities for elementary school children as young as 7, and its commitment to develop the singers' talents through inspirational music.

At the "Voices in Harmony" concert, the BCC will sing "Let the River Run" by Carly Simon, which is about a city of peace, and "Cantar," a Spanish song celebrating the power of song.

"I try to find music that is representative of many different cultures that at the same time talks about what we value - peace, supporting one another, overcoming obstacles," said Darren Dailey, artistic director of the BCC. "I look at world music and classical music and I try to use the art form of choral music to bring together a diverse audience and send messages."

For audiences, one of the appeals of a children's chorus is the quality of young voices, which Dailey calls "angelic" and "ethereal." That gives extra punch to songs like "Show Me How," which is a plea for understanding, listening and affection.

"These are all things children need to feel secure and safe, and to have a children's choir perform this makes it that much more powerful," Dailey said. "Many in the audience are in tears. The children bring an innocence that adults don't have."

Although weekly rehearsals take place in the Back Bay of Boston, South Shore children from Marshfield, Randolph, Holbrook and Quincy make the trek because the chorus offers a unique social and musical experience.

"Certainly, there are other choirs out there, but there's something special about this one," said Linda Hughes of Randolph, a music teacher at Chestnut Hill School whose 9-year-old daughter, Sara, is in the BCC.

"What grabbed me about the choir is the multicultural mission," she said. "There are children from very diverse backgrounds who have the same love for singing and expressing themselves through music."

Sara Hughes sings in the chorus' 60-member Concert Choir, which will be part of the "Voices in Harmony" concert this Saturday at Berklee Performance Center, which features half a dozen gospel and temple choirs. In order to sing in the choir, Sara has given up gymnastics and theater and goes into Boston two times a week for 90-minute rehearsals. The

BCC also has two training choirs, where the children rehearse once a week and sing in less formal settings.

Hughes enthusiastically endorses the BCC's mission.

"I believe so many adults struggle around the language of race and religion," said Hughes, who is African-American. "Here we have these children who are leading the way in forging friendships and making music and who are terrific role models for what can be accomplished when you come together for this one mission."

The singers reflect the chorus' commitment to diversity. Thirty-five percent are white, 30 percent black, 13 percent Latino, 7 percent Asian and 15 percent other. Sixty-five percent live in Boston and 35 percent outside the city. Since tuition is on a sliding scale, all children are accepted, as long as they have the musical potential and the commitment.

Boston Children's Choir comprises 122 children from all over the region with diverse ethnic backgrounds, all in grades 2-9.
(Courtesy photo)

"Something that makes us unique is that right from the start there was a commitment not to just racial and ethnic diversity and also to socioeconomic diversity," said Heiberger. "There are many musically talented kids who really want the opportunity to sing, and there are parents, particularly those from the suburbs who want their kids to be with children from many different backgrounds."

The chorus was created by Hubie Jones, dean emeritus of Boston University's School of Social Work and a longstanding African-American leader in the city. Inspired after hearing the Chicago Children's Chorus, Jones marshaled cultural and service leaders throughout the city to form a board of directors to shape the chorus.

The board has representatives from the BSO, Berklee School of Music, Landmarks Orchestra, Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston and The United Way of Boston, among others. Eventually, the BCC hopes to expand to several hundred singers and include high school students as well. Currently, it is establishing neighborhood satellite programs, starting in the Via Victoria housing development in the South End.

The organization's commitment to quality is reflected in its hiring of Dailey, who formerly was director of music at St. Patrick's Church and Choir School in Fayetteville, N.C. for 13 years.

Beyond ethnic and economic diversity, the kids have a wide range of musical experience. Concert choir member Samantha Hankey, 12, of Marshfield, has taken voice lessons for five years at Longy School of Music in Cambridge and dreams of singing professionally.

"She wakes up singing," said her mother Martha. "The chorus does some very difficult pieces and they learn them so quickly. And she gets to hang out with kids from every different background. If she just stayed in Marshfield, she wouldn't be exposed to music and culture in the same way."

In contrast, Amira Hardaway, 8, of Holbrook, is singing with a chorus for the first time.

"I'm willing to do it because she loves it," said her mom, Tonya. "I wouldn't travel this distance if I didn't feel it was worth it." Once a week, the Hardaways take the train from Quincy Adams into Park Street, then change to another train to Arlington Street, and then walk to the the church for Treble Chorus, one of the BCC's training choirs.

Hardaway is grateful for the training Amira is receiving, as well as for the friendships she as well as Amira have made.

"One of the greatest things is that I have met parents from all over who have the same goals, which is not an easy thing to do," Hardaway said. "And I've seen such an improvement in her singing and that's because of the professional instruction."

Hughes, Hankey and Hardaway were accepted after an audition to assess how well they could match pitch, sing in different keys, and follow a simple score. Dailey continues to visit schools to audition children, as well as auditions them at the First and Second Church on Marlborough Street, where the singers rehearse.

In choosing the performance repertoire, Dailey tries to find music that will develop his singers' skills.

"I try to find just the right piece for their musical level and to challenge it," he said.

Although the training is serious, time is built in for a brief snack and socializing.

"I expect them to have a good time and to get to know the other kids in a chorus," Dailey said. "It's more than just singing and music for its own sake. It's about community."

Often, several children's choruses will come together for a concert. The BCC, for example, and The Boston City Singers, both sang at the Democratic National Convention. The Boston City Singers, based in Dorchester and formerly Youth Pro Musica of Dorchester, has three training choruses for younger children and one performing chorus for children in grades 6-12.

And this summer, the BCC has an invitation to sing in Japan at the 2nd International Children's Choral Festival. One of only four choirs invited from the United States, the BCC hopes to join the Chicago Children's Choir, the San Francisco Boys Choir and the Colorado Springs Children's Chorale.

"We're calling them ambassadors for the city," said Heiberger. "We want the kids to feel like they really are its representatives."

Voices in Harmony At 7:30 p.m., Sat. Feb. 5 at the Berklee Performance Center, 1140 Boylston St., Boston. Featuring Boston Children's Chorus, Boston University's Inner Strength Gospel Choir, Adult Choir of Temple Emmanuel, 12th Baptist Church Gospel Ensemble and St. Mary's Hispanic Choir. Tickets: $50, $30, $20, reserved seating, available at www.ticketmaster.com, 617-747-2261 or 508/617-931-2000. For information on auditions for the Boston Children's Chorus, call 617-778-2242 or go to www.bostonchildrenschorus.org.

Jody Feinberg may be reached at jfeinberg@ledger.com.