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Texas Boys Choir
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Texas Boys Choir is a choir based in Fort Worth, Texas. It was founded in 1946 by George Bragg to provide any boy, regardless of socio-economic or ethnic background a structured environment for the development of a world-class performing choir of boys. Essential to this development is the artistic training in an accredited academic institution; experienced teachers instill the qualities of self-discipline, self-confidence, decorum, patriotism, and leadership. For the past 60 years, the choir has been a publicly supported 501(c)3 professional organization and educational institution dedicated to fostering the talents of gifted young men. The choir performs locally, nationally and internationally, both for fees and for community service purposes. Various music and performing arts companies and corporations as well as individual donors sponsor the Texas Boys Choir. Brian Stratton is the current Artistic Director of the Texas Boys Choir.
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In 2004, the Texas Boys Choir won the gold medal (page 4) in Young Boys’ Choirs at the International Choir Olympics, which were held in Bremen, Germany.
The choir won two Grammy Awards for Best Choral Performance[1]:
- Best Classical Choral Performance (Other Than Opera), 1968[2] The Glory of Gabrieli, Vittorio Negri conducting Gregg Smith Singers and Texas Boys Choir; George Bragg directing Edward Tarr Ensemble with E. Power Biggs
- Best Classical Choral Performance (Other Than Opera), 1966[3] Ives, Music for Chorus, Gregg Smith conducting Columbia Chamber Orchestra, Gregg Smith Singers and Ithaca College Concert Choir; George Bragg conducting Texas Boys Choir
The choir has published many albums, both on record and compact disc. CDs published include:
- At Home in the Great Hall (1989)
- Christmas in the Great Hall (1993)
- Fonologee (1995)
- Of Bells and Angels (1996)
- Montage (1998)
- Noel: Live from the Great Hall (1998)
- One World (2003)
- Hodie Cantamus (2004)
Brian M. Stratton (2006), a native of New Orleans, Louisiana, received his Bachelor of Music degree in vocal and instrumental music performance from Loyola University of New Orleans. Since graduating in 1989, Mr. Stratton has enjoyed a highly successful career as an active concert artist and music educator. He served on the staff of the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts, the vocal faculty of Delgado Community College, and was a certified evaluator of Gifted and Talented children in the state of Louisiana. In 1988, he was a Regional Finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Auditions and has performed opera, concert recitals, Broadway reviews and oratorio in the United States and abroad. He has appeared at the White House on four occasions, performing American folk music, Broadway tunes, Christmas music, and Spirituals for Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, and William Clinton.
For nearly 22 years, Mr. Stratton was a member and featured soloist with the acclaimed Moses Hogan Chorale and Singers. His concert performances and over a dozen recordings have received wide acclaim worldwide. Mr. Stratton also sang on the CD "Voices" on the Windham Hill label, and with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir on their CD "An American Heritage of Spirituals." Before Mr. Hogan's death in 2003, Mr. Stratton was asked to conduct the last concert appearance of the Moses Hogan Singers at Calvin College in October 2002. Since then, he has worked to promote the Spiritual arrangements of Mr. Hogan and other renowned composers and arrangers in workshops, seminars, and choral clinics around the world. Mr. Stratton has served as a choral clinician and conductor for choirs in Oregon, Michigan, Georgia, Louisiana, Alaska, Texas, Indiana, and New York. In 2004, Mr. Stratton was one of only two clinician from the United States at the World Projects-International Australian Music Festival held in Sydney and Bathurst, Australia. He has also conducted vocal workshops in France, Estonia, and Russia.
An enthusiastic promoter of music education, Mr. Stratton devotes his time not only to music education, but enthusiastically encourages arts education for children around the nation. Mr. Stratton is a member of Texas Music Educators Association, The International Reed Organ Society, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America, Inc., serving as Province Governor for the State of Louisiana. Presently, Mr. Stratton is Director of the Traditional Choir, Holy Family Catholic Church, in Fort Worth, TX.