Artistry
Strong musical foundations, thoughtful repertoire and performance experiences that invite young singers to grow.
OUR STORY / OUR PURPOSE
Harlem roots.
Forward voices.
Harlem Boys Choir is a new, independent youth choral and performing arts organization shaped by a belief in the power of music, mentorship and opportunity.
THE MISSION
Building voices.
Shaping lives.
Strengthening community.
We create meaningful opportunities for young people to develop their voices, artistic discipline, confidence and sense of possibility. Through choral training, mentorship, music education and live performance, we connect the work of the rehearsal room to the wider world.
Our roots are in Harlem. Our outlook is New York. Our ambition is to prepare young artists to meet the stage—and life—with skill, character and imagination.
Development
Mentorship, discipline, confidence and the habits that help young people find their direction.
Community
Accessible arts experiences that connect families, institutions and audiences through the shared language of music.
A HARLEM HISTORY WORTH HONORING
WT
1944 — 2007
Walter
Turnbull.
The founder of the original Boys Choir of Harlem—and a visionary who believed that young people could change the world through music.
In 1968, Walter Turnbull founded the Boys Choir of Harlem. What began with a small group of boys rehearsing in a Harlem church grew into an internationally recognized ensemble and educational institution. Under his direction, generations of young singers experienced rigorous musical training, touring and the possibility of a wider future.
Turnbull died in 2007. The original Boys Choir of Harlem later ceased operations in 2009. His contribution to Harlem's cultural life and to the history of American choral music remains worthy of remembrance.
A clear distinction
The Boys Choir of Harlem was Walter Turnbull's historic organization. Harlem Boys Choir is an independent organization with its own identity, leadership and mission. We honor the tradition of excellence and youth opportunity associated with that history, but we are not the original institution, its legal successor, or a continuation of its operations.
CONNECTED BY A SHARED COMMITMENT TO THE ARTS
One family.
Distinct voices.
Harlem Boys Choir is part of the Harlem Collective family of cultural organizations, alongside Harlem Collective Opera and Harlem Chamber Orchestra. Each organization has its own artistic identity, audience and mission—connected by a shared commitment to music, education and Harlem's cultural future.
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