Keystone State Boychoir
A Program of Commonwealth Youthchoirs
Keystone State Boychoir (KSB) was founded in 2001 by Joseph P. Fitzmartin and Steven M. Fisher. Under the direction of Co-Artistic Director Frank J. Van Atta, the Boychoir sings a diverse enthralling repertoire from the classical to the contemporary. Major choral works that KSB has performed include Orff’s Camina Burana, Handel’s Messiah, Mendelssohn’s Elijah, Britten’s Ceremony of Carols, Rejoice in the Lamb, and St. Nicolas Cantata, Fauré Requiem and Rutter’s Mass of the Children. The Philadelphia Inquirer review declared KSB’s performance in the Bach St. Matthew Passion “excellent.” Beyond the traditional choral canon, KSB prides itself in singing with authenticity and integrity world music from every corner of the globe, specializing of course in the American genres of folk music, spirituals, gospel, Broadway and jazz. Keystone State Boychoir has sung with the region’s most distinguished ensembles, including the Philadelphia Orchestra, Opera Philadelphia (for which it serves as official boychoir), and the Philadelphia Singers, and at the region’s most prominent venues, including Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, the Academy of Music, the Mann Center for the Performing Arts, Broadway, and Carnegie Hall. Internationally the Boychoir has sung at the Manaus Opera House in Brazil, the Hanoi Opera House in Vietnam, and the Petronas Philharmonik Hall in Malaysia, as well as in venues throughout Alaska, Canada, South Africa, Japan, Thailand, Cambodia, Australia, Monaco, France, Germany, Austria, and Bulgaria, Norway, England, India, New Zealand, and Tasmania. In December 2009, KSB embarked on a concert tour of Chile as an official part of the country’s 200th-anniversary celebrations. While in Chile, the boys had the honor of presenting President Michelle Bachelet. The concert tour included an excursion to Chile’s Frei Base on King George Island, Antarctica. There the boys sang for scientists from five countries, giving KSB the distinction of bringing the choral arts to the seventh continent for the first time. In doing so, KSB made history as the first choir to have sung on every continent.
Our Philosophy
Leonard Bernstein said music-making should be joyful all the time – especially in rehearsals since that’s where singers spend most of their time. The KSB experience is one of truly joyful music-making. The vibrant sound of KSB is enhanced by its compelling stage presence. Today’s choral music must be felt, as well as heard, if the art form is to continue to thrive and to attract new singers and audiences.
Our Mission
Keystone State Boychoir transforms young lives through the power of making music together …one song at a time.
Our Vision
KSB channels boundless energy into unforgettable music-making experiences for both the singers and their audiences.
Our Home
KSB is a non denominational, community based boychoir that proudly welcomes young people from all backgrounds. Though we are not a religious choir, we are in residence at the Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill (PCCH).
Our Family
Commonwealth Youthchoirs (CY) is a non-denominational 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, serving nearly 600 children from a diverse array of schools and neighborhoods across the Greater Philadelphia region, spanning nearly 100 different zip codes. Our acclaimed, community-based choral education programs, Keystone State Boychoir and Pennsylvania Girlchoir, cater to singers aged 7-18, while our Find Your Instrument program is specifically designed to bring choral music into under-resourced schools in Germantown and North Philadelphia.