Keystone State Boychoir

Here in Eugene, we see signs of the earliest settlers, from the Oregon Trail to the Eugene Pioneer Cemetery that we pass on the way to rehearsal. With the music staff back in Philadelphia, our singers are have struck out for new KSB territory.

The music making is under the baton of picfest conductor Fernando Malvar-Ruiz, but what about tonight’s sharing, where each choir presents a 20 minute set? In the spirit of pioneers, KSB will be blazing a new path – performing under the direction of one of their own, Jimmy Paolini!

Along with Thomas and Patrick Flynn, and with treble support from Calvin Wamser, Jimmy led two rehearsals we had for our own repertoire. As an educator, there’s nothing more satisfying than what I am witnessing. From every single boy – excellent musicianship evident everywhere, starting with Jimmy as he works with a new accompanist to rehearse each group. Focus. Self-discipline. Generosity. Encouragement, but holding each other to the high choral standards of KSB. The 9 trebles traveling with us are being coached by the Anonymous 8 boys, passing on what they have learned about small ensemble singing to their younger brothers. I have lost count of the ways that boys remind each other of what Fisher/Fitz/Hoenig/Sheridan say about breathing, diction, dynamics, performance, that tricky part where the coda is different and so on.

This is exactly what we strive for: excellent musicianship, leadership, collaboration, boys who have internalized thousands of hours of instruction, now making music their own. 

We rehearsed three pieces with Mr. Malvar-Ruiz this afternoon (each choir has their own 30 minute workshop with him) The boys impressed the Maestro with how well prepared they are, and he clearly enjoys, as he says, what any conductor would want for his choir, ownership of the music. This team of pioneers are on their way!

More after the concert tonight!

PS – Last night all of the picfest boys went to the Oregon Bach Festival for a concert. Andy Neale did a little research on the three pieces we were hearing and imparted that what he learned on the way to the concert. (Best factoid: Mozart wrote the symphony we heard — his 25th — when he was 17!)

KSB was treated to seats in the front four rows of the beautiful venue, so it was a good thing the boys had taken naps after dinner! The concert concluded with Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass (renamed Nelson Mass-dela by KSB), and then a CY reunion with Zerrin Martin, former conductor of PG Trouveres, who is singing with the Oregon Bach Festival choir!

…and we’ll get a serious picture one of these days! For now, they are having too much fun!