Title
Honoring and recognizing the Philadelphia Boys Choir & Chorale on the occasion of their 50th Anniversary.
Body
WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Boys Choir & Chorale has captivated audiences around the world with their musicianship, intelligence and interpretive abilities for the past fifty years and has become one of the most successful boys choirs in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Since its founding in 1968, the Philadelphia Boys Choir & Chorale has proudly represented both the City of Philadelphia and the United States of America during many worldwide concert tours across the globe, which has earned them the nickname, “America’s Ambassadors of Song”; and
WHEREAS, As a Grammy-nominated and Emmy Award-winning group, the Philadelphia Boys Choir’s highly acclaimed performances have earned them some of the most distinguished honors in music; and
WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Boys Choir & Chorale has been led by its Artistic Director, Jeffrey R. Smith, since 2004. Mr. Smith, who was in the Choir as a child, is an accomplished conductor, composer, and musician in his own right, having performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra, New Jersey Symphony, and as a pianist for several theatrical performances both on and off-Broadway. Mr. Smith also serves as an assistant conductor and pianist for the Philly POPS; and
WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Boys Choir has collaborated with world renowned orchestras and soloists, such as Luciano Pavarotti, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Philly POPS, Pennsylvania Ballet, Opera Philadelphia, Curtis Institute, as well as the Mendelssohn Club, Pig Iron Theater, Vox Ama Deus, and The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Boys Choir & Chorale has been featured on television shows, such as Good Morning America, Saturday Night Live, and The Today Show; and
WHEREAS, Many choir alumni have become distinguished leaders in the arts and entertainment industry, including Boyz II Men group member Shawn Stockman, Broadway composer Benj Pasek, opera singers Justin Hopkins and Lawrence Zazzo, Food Network personality and chef Dave Lieberman, actor James A. Pierce, III, as well as KYW-TV news anchor Ukee Washington, and the Boys Choir’s Associate Music Director, John Stroud; and
WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Boys Choir & Chorale was the first American performing arts group to perform in Cuba after the Cuban Revolution, and it returned to that country in both 2003 and 2017; and
WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Boys Choir & Chorale has also performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Sydney Opera House; and
WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Boys Choir & Chorale has performed for Kings and Queens and five U.S. Presidents; and
WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Boys Choir & Chorale’s recent tours have allowed its diverse group of Philadelphia boys and men to perform to high accolades in China, Ecuador, Singapore, and Vietnam; and
WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Boys Choir & Chorale is celebrating 50 years of outstanding achievements and musical excellence and Philadelphia is proud to be the home to such a world renowned, groundbreaking group; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby honor and recognize the Philadelphia Boys Choir & Chorale on the occasion of its 50th Anniversary.
12095816-2