[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 18 (Monday, January 30, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E214]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


            BOYS CHOIR OF HARLEM: DOING IT RIGHT FOR 25 YEARS

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                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, January 30, 1995
  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring to your attention and 
to the attention of my colleagues here in the House, a group of young 
men who have been doing it right for the past 25 years.
  An outstanding article which appeared in the Daily News, December 11, 
1994, speaks of the choir's humble beginnings to the celebrated musical 
success they take pride in today.
  Please enjoy.
                             Quite a Choir

                          (By Sharline Chiang)

       ``Guys, it's pianissimo,'' the burly choir director 
     bellowed. Then, clapping twice, he ordered: ``Don't half do 
     it. It must be right!''
       Doing it right. That's what the Boys Choir of Harlem has 
     been specializing in for the past 25 years.
       It hasn't always been easy.
       ``It's been a long process of convincing people--classical 
     purists--that we were real,'' said Walter Turnbull, choir 
     founder and director.
       Evidence of real musicianship and diversity can be found on 
     the choir's first solo album, ``The Sound of Hope,'' which 
     celebrates the group's silver anniversary.
       The album, released in October by EastWest Records America, 
     offers everything from pop and R&B to jazz and gospel.
       In 25 years, the choir has been turned from a group of 
     rambunctious boys in the basement of Ephesus Church in 
     Central Harlem to a major international attraction.
       In 1987, the Choir Academy of Harlem, a satellite of 
     Community School District 5, was born. Today, the academy 
     teaches youngsters ages 8 to 18 and offers a Regents high 
     school program.
       More than a year ago the academy moved from a smaller 
     building in Harlem to its first permanent home--the former 
     Intermediate School 201 building at Madison Ave. and 127th 
     St.
       Aside from proving itself to critics, keeping the school 
     financially stable through the years has been a challenge, 
     Turnbull said.
       Performances for royalty and Presidents alone don't cover 
     the costs of tutors, pianos and more than 100 worldwide tours 
     each year. Ticket revenues cover only half its $2.7 million 
     budget.
       Despite generous patrons, cutbacks in city and corporate 
     funding have made some tours impossible.
       Nevertheless, as funding shrinks, the number of young 
     people who audition continues to grow. Last year 2,000 
     hopefuls tried out for 200 seats in music, dance and drama.
       The school's population also is growing. Six years ago the 
     choir reinstituted its program for girls. Now the choir 
     consists of 300 students.
       The 35 to 40 boys who make up the touring choir are chosen 
     from the 150-member concert choir on a rotating basis.
       Although more than 90% of the students go on to college, 
     Turnbull said, not everyone reaches graduation day. He loses 
     some students to the lure of the streets.
       ``It's hard,'' the director said. ``Some you can't reach.''
       But for many, like 12-year-old Nilelijah Scott, the Boys 
     Choir of Harlem is a sanctuary, a place to get into music and 
     off the streets.
       ``Instead of hanging out with friends and getting into 
     trouble, I just come here after school and go to rehearsal,'' 
     said Scott, a two-year veteran soprano and an aspiring 
     accountant. ``When you graduate from here, you gain a sense 
     of self-esteem.''
       Osman Armstrong, 14, sings first alto. A choir member since 
     age 9, his favorite song in the program is Haydn's ``Te 
     Deum.''
       ``My mother loves it that I'm here because I get to 
     travel,'' said Armstrong. ``And I'm getting away from the 
     city.''
       Some graduates, like William Byrd, return.
       A Boys Choir assistant conductor and music theory teacher, 
     Byrd, 26, graduated in 1986. After earning his computer 
     science degree from Hunter College next spring, Byrd hopes to 
     attend Westminster Choir College in Princeton, N.J.
       ``The school helped me home in on my ambitions and 
     skills,'' Byrd said, ``to become my own person.''
       Looking ahead, Turnbull dreams of helping others set up 
     similar choir schools in major U.S. cities. Music teachers 
     from Houston and Detroit have expressed interest.
       But for now, creating an endowment through fund-raising and 
     corporate projects is the Boys Choir's main goal, Turnbull 
     said.
       He said an endowment will allow the Boys Choir of Harlem to 
     celebrate the tradition of ``doing it right'' for another 25 
     years.
       ``It's not just about the choir, it's about discipline,'' 
     he said. ``It's about feeling good about yourself--that's 
     hope.''
     

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