South Jersey will soon be filled with the sounds of angels on Dec. 20 as the Philadelphia Boys Choir and Chorale will perform “Sing, Choir of Angels” in Haddon Heights.
“This is the first time in three years we’ll be doing a concert in South Jersey, and we’re very happy we can come back and do that,” said Stephan Stoeckl, director of marketing for the Philadelphia Boys Choir and Chorale.
What makes this concert so special for Moorestown is that three of the town’s own residents have earned their place in the choir and will be performing at the concert. Moorestown Upper Elementary School’s Vaughn Cultrara and Christopher Doyle, both 11, have recently earned their trademark blazer to perform with the Philadelphia Boys Choir, and Nathaniel Garthe, 10, is an advanced cadet working on earning his blazer for this week.
All the boys started singing young, Vaughn and Nathaniel at age 7 and Christopher at age 8. Nathaniel got into singing by playing the violin and has liked music ever since. Vaughn loved singing in front of people, while Christopher enjoyed singing different songs.
All the boys were recommended to join the Philadelphia Boys Choir by a teacher at their elementary schools.
Nathaniel and Christopher were recommended by their music teacher Angela Torban at South Valley Elementary School, and Nathaniel was recommended by first-grade teacher Mary Jean Klatte of George C. Baker School.
The Philadelphia Boys Choir requires the boys to go through a training program, depending on their age, maturity level and previous experience.
The program can take anywhere from six months to two years to complete. Then they have to pass an audition where they have to memorize and perform about an hour of music by themselves in front of the music director, Jeffrey R. Smith.
Once they pass, they earn their trademark red blazer and are allowed to perform with the choir.
All the singers really enjoy performing at concerts. Christopher said his favorite part is going to different kinds of concerts in all places.
Nathaniel agreed, with the concerts being his favorite part as well as singing and creating the different sounds.
“My favorite part is singing with the other boys,” Vaughn said.
However, it is not always easy and fun. The choir practices two times a week, on Tuesday afternoons for two hours and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon. They also rehearse before concerts as well.
Christopher and Nathaniel also said memorizing and learning the languages can be hard.
“It’s a lot of fun, but a lot of hard work,” Nathaniel said.
However, they do recommend that those who are willing to work hard and enjoy singing as well as going to all different kinds of concerts should look into the Philadelphia Boys Choir.
“I would say it is very fun. You get to go to all kinds of concerts,” Christopher said.
“If you really like singing it would be a great choir to join,” Vaughn said.
See Vaughn, Christopher, Nathaniel and other South Jersey and Philadelphia residents in the Philadelphia Boys Choir and Chorale’s “Sing, Choirs of Angels” on Dec. 20 at 8 p.m. The concert will take place at St. Rose of Lima Parish located at 300 Kings Highway in Haddon Heights.
