KSB PR contact:
Angela Wende-Minch, wende-minch@verizon.net, 267-265-3165 – more info at: www.paboychoir.org Australia Tour Blog
Unsolicitated comments from observers and audience members during the Keystone State Boychoir Concert Tour July 1 – July 22, 2007
“Sweet surprises around every corner!
My mum and I were stuck at JFK last night at 9 pm, our flight delayed yet
again, when we spot several dozen boys of all ages in black tshirts that say "Keystone
State Boychoir Australia Tour 2007." They are sprawling all over the gate
area, playing cards, reading books, chatting wildly with each other. It's clear
that it's the beginning of the trip because their shirts are crisp, and their
energy highly animated.
I point them out to my mum, who is reading Jack London's Call of the Wild in
korean (ain't she cool?) She, like me, is surprised by how well they are behaved
- having fun and joking, but not disturbing the other passengers. Brave souls,
those chaperones.
After an hour, my curiosity gets to me and I approach one of the chaperones
to learn more. The boys' ages range from 8 (love those unchanged voices!) to
just graduated high schoolers from the greater Philly area, which is reflected
in the ethnically mixed gaggles of boys where they appear to congregate more
by age than color. One of the youngest boys who is swimming in his shirt is
trying to get another young boy to wear his sunglasses indoors too. Giggles
ensue.
Finally, I ask if they could sing for us delayed and tired passengers. Graciously,
even though their flight to Melbourne has been delayed 5 hours, all the boys
gather up in long rows to sing a fun ditty about "Waltzing Mathilda" and "The
Star Spangled Banner", the latter of which is one of my mum's favorites.
"What a sweet surprise", my mum says. I couldn't agree with her more.”
”Gidday from Bundaberg in Queensland Australia.
Just returned home after a night of youthful entertainment at Shalom College including KSB, the highlight of the night.
Please pass on our congratulations and best wishes when they return home.”
“I know that Bathurst would host the Keystone Choir again – the concert just blew everyone away – SUCH a joy to see 80 young men enjoying themselves and singing with such expression and energy. It was a special privilege for me to play violin in the first 2 items. How lucky for you all to be working with fine musicians like Jo and Steve and such a pleasure for me to meet and work with them. Thank you ALL for some much needed mid-winter magic and inspiration – we love you all.”
“Hoped you enjoyed the Kangaroos and you are the best choir EVER!!!!!!!!!!! It was also great to see that the Keystone State Boychoir has soooo much passion for their Music, and after the show I saw the audience asking some of the boys for their autograph!!!! Your choir is the Best!!!! Come back to Adelaide Soon! “
“I was one of the participants in the ASME Conference in Perth. I'm
sure others have made similar comments as I'm about to make, but if
I'm just an echo then too bad!
Your boys gave me one of the most
moving experiences of my life. Over
the last 38 years I've trained many choirs of youngsters in Western
Australia
and South Australia, and quite a few of them were boys only.
And of course I have listened to many more.
Nevertheless, I have never encountered such energized expression of
feeling combined with true musicality and stagecraft as KSB presented
in
the various performances in Perth. The selection and arrangement
of repertoire was also superb.
After all these years of teaching, and as I prepare for
semi-retirement in a little town south of Perth, your example has
inspired me to continue working in music education - especially
helping
boys to sing in the way that only boys can. I know that
the
leadership you and Fitz give is essential to the soaring success of
the
boys. I've listened to the Vienna Boys Choir and I agree with
the
person who said you leave them for dead. (Yes, I've read your blog!)
I will be using your CDs as to inspire my students, and as a part-time
writer
I intend to circulate my praise of KSB in my articles. I
hope
you return for another tour one day soon.
You have been one of the highlights of this conference.
I hope to be able to hear from your concert in NSW soon. I wish you all the
best in keeping on singing so beautifully and meaningfully.
Well Done all you boys and
leaders.”
“I am just writing to say how much we enjoyed your boys tonight in Sydney. My 10 yr old son sings in the AYC but I was impressed with the way your gboys really seemed to enjoy themselves during the performance.You and their parents should be very proud.I hope they enjoyed our city as much as we enjoyed them.”
“As part of your recent and highly (I am led to believe) successful tour of Australia, you may all well remember your participation at the ASME conference in Perth. Keystone stood out for me as one of the great sessions and triumphs of the conference, and I should know - I saw them all. As one of the so-called 'gofer's at the conference, I had the opportunity to observe virtually all the sessions to some extent, and I must admit that the session run with the choir in the theatre which enabled delegates to sing WITH the choir was the highlight of not only my day, but of a fairly turbulent month. As a bass, I sat in between two young men in Sam and Jamille (?, please don't quote me on that in case of offense!), who proved fantastic advocates of your choir, and ambassadors of your country. Not only this, but the session reminded me of the pure joy of singing, and left me invigorated for the remainder of a long day, and my enthusiasm for choral music and youth singing reignited. Please pass on my sincerest thanks to the choir and organizers, I know that the reception amongst the delegates has been extremely positive, and I would wish you every success for the remainder of your tour and for future events.”