Classical Movements Brings the Philadelphia Boys Choir and Chorale to India for Their Inaugural Tour
Classical Movements, a leading company in orchestra and choir concert and tour management in the United States, is set to bring the Emmy-winning and Grammy-nominated Philadelphia Boys Choir and Chorale (PBCC) to India for their first-ever concert tour. Under the direction of Artistic Director and Conductor Jeffrey R. Smith, PBCC will perform in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai from August 4 to 15, 2024. This tour marks a significant milestone in PBCC’s illustrious history, showcasing their talents and fostering international goodwill through music.
Classical Movements: Facilitating Cultural Exchange Through Music
For over 25 years, Classical Movements has been at the forefront of creating meaningful cultural experiences through music, organizing concert tours in 145 countries for some of the world’s greatest orchestras and choirs. Their expertise in managing the intricate logistics of international tours ensures that ensembles like PBCC can focus on delivering exceptional performances while engaging in enriching cultural exchanges.
Classical Movements’ commitment to fostering global connections through music is exemplified in this tour. PBCC’s itinerary includes collaborations with several esteemed Indian choirs, creating opportunities for cultural exchange and mutual learning. In New Delhi, PBCC will perform with the Delhi Children’s Choir of the NalandaWay Organization. In Bengaluru, they will share the stage with the Bangalore Men, and in Chennai, they will collaborate with the Madras Musical Association and Madras MBS Choir. Additionally, the choir will perform at the Royal Opera House in Mumbai. These collaborations are designed to celebrate both American and Indian musical traditions, highlighting the universal language of music.
Philadelphia Boys Choir and Chorale: America’s Ambassadors of Song
Founded in 1968, the Philadelphia Boys Choir and Chorale has earned a reputation for their musical excellence and interpretive abilities. Under Jeffrey R. Smith’s leadership since 2004, the choir has continued to grow in stature, performing extensively across the United States and around the world. Known as “America’s Ambassadors of Song,” PBCC has collaborated with renowned orchestras, appeared on national television, and performed at major sporting events. Jeffrey R. Smith, who sang with PBCC as a boy, brings a deep personal connection to his role as Artistic Director and Conductor. His leadership has been instrumental in maintaining the choir’s high standards and expanding their international presence. Reflecting on his journey with the choir, Smith says, “Having sung with the choir for seven years as a boy, I knew first-hand the impact that the choir has on my life. Besides the obvious musical training and experience, the discipline, teamwork, world travel, and overall character building helped to shape who I am today, and in turn how I lead the group.”
PBCC’s Repertoire
The repertoire for PBCC’s India tour includes a diverse range of music, from American patriotic songs to classical pieces, spirituals, and popular tunes. Highlights include Samuel Barber’s “Agnus Dei,” John Rutter’s “All Things Bright and Beautiful,” and Rabindranath Tagore’s “Anondoloke.” The program also features contemporary favourites like George Harrison’s “Here Comes the Sun” and Willie Nelson’s “On the Road Again.”
Smith emphasizes the importance of showcasing American music while also engaging the boys in the curation process. “This season, I decided to let the boys in on the process of curating the program – they selected much of the repertoire based on their personal preferences,” he explains. “The audience will get a taste of some of the styles of music that our boys enjoy singing – classical, popular, spirituals, and more.”
Cultural Exchanges and Collaborations
One of the most enriching aspects of the tour is the opportunity for PBCC to engage in musical exchanges with local Indian choirs. These interactions foster mutual understanding and appreciation of different musical traditions. Smith notes, “With choirs, we usually sing a song or two together – if it’s an American song, the host choir will hear PBCC sing and learn some of the stylistic things we do with the song. If it’s an Indian song, we will learn from them how to perform the piece in a stylistically appropriate manner, honouring the tradition of the music.”
The tour also includes educational exchanges with local schools and music programs, such as the Legato School of Music in Bengaluru and the Chennai Children’s Choir.
International Touring
Organizing and conducting international tours with a large group presents several challenges, from logistical complexities to managing jet lag and ensuring the well-being of the young singers. However, Classical Movements’ expertise in tour management helps to alleviate many of these concerns, allowing PBCC to focus on delivering high-quality performances.
Reflecting on the importance of these tours, Smith says, “Our mission is to inspire young singers through music education and world-class performances. The experiences these boys get on our tours have a tremendous impact on their lives. They learn varied musical styles from around the world, they meet people from cultures very different from their own, they perform at prestigious venues with large audiences, they live and work together 24 hours a day for a week or two learning about teamwork.”
Smith also highlights the logistical support provided by Classical Movements as crucial to the success of such tours. “The logistics of touring with 60+ people can be daunting. Fortunately, we work with a great tour company, Classical Movements, that manages most of the logistics. Besides that, jetlag and the exhaustion of touring can take a toll on the boys, which can affect the performances. But we don’t want to spend our time resting and sleeping – we want to take in as much of the culture as possible. When you travel halfway across the world, you want to make the most of the opportunity!”
Unique Experiences
International tours offer PBCC members unique experiences that extend beyond musical performances. Smith recalls various memorable moments from past tours, emphasizing that these experiences contribute significantly to the choir members’ personal growth. “The most memorable moments on tour aren’t always musical – for instance, a venue with beautiful acoustics, where the choir performed beautifully and the audience was so engaged. Instead, it might be a fun activity, like zip-lining in the rainforests of South America, walking along the Great Wall of China, or singing for an ambassador or president; or interacting with the people we meet, either through a homestay experience or singing with another youth choir.”
These activities and interactions help to create lasting memories and deepen the choir members’ appreciation of different cultures. “As with all interactions of people around the world, we like our boys to find what we have in common and to learn and appreciate our differences,” Smith adds. “While we often speak the same musical language, each choir and conductor bring something different to the music.”
Prestigious Venues
PBCC has performed in some of the world’s most prestigious venues, such as Carnegie Hall and the Kimmel Center. Smith explains how performing in such venues impacts the choir’s performance and enhances their musical experience. “When we’ve performed at some of the most prestigious venues, it usually doesn’t take us long to understand why the venue has become prestigious and why people want to sing there. More often than not, it’s because of the natural acoustics of the space. When a room is designed well, the singers can all hear themselves perfectly, and the sound of the group resonates and blends beautifully, creating a unified and strong sound for the audience.”
Smith highlights Carnegie Hall as a prime example of an exceptional venue. “Carnegie Hall is a perfect example of this – when we perform there, it’s often a surprise to our young singers – they can hear everything, there’s a warmth to the sound, a blend of all the voices, and very slight natural reverberation coming back to the choir. All of this is without the aid of microphones or any amplification. It’s such a treat to sing in a space like that.”
Educational Initiatives
PBCC is known for its educational initiatives and for bringing music education to many young singers. Smith elaborates on the choir’s educational programs and their importance in fostering musical talent. “Boys can start with us at age seven. At that age, most of them have had no musical training but they enjoy singing and have a good natural ear for music. We spend the next two years developing their natural talents and giving them the tools they need to succeed in PBCC. Since we are an after-school program – our boys go to their own schools all over the greater Philadelphia area – we only meet twice a week. Our time with them is limited, so while they are getting the basics of reading music, ear training, music theory, sight reading, and healthy vocal and breathing technique, we do not have the time to be a fully comprehensive music education.”
The core program focuses on choral singing, but PBCC also offers additional instruction for those interested. “We have other instruction available if they are interested – private voice lessons, piano lessons, theory classes, summer camps – but the core program focuses on choral singing. Many of our singers get into the top music schools at the university level, as their choral skills exceed most singers their age. If they choose a career other than music, they often find opportunities to sing as a hobby – it’s a skill and passion that stays with you for life.”
Creative Process
In addition to his role as conductor, Smith is also a composer and arranger, which influences his approach to music. He shares insights into his creative process and how it impacts his work with PBCC. “As a composer and arranger, I tend to be pretty meticulous with the markings I make – in other words, how I want the piece to be performed. But even then, there are things that aren’t written into the music, and so I like to use a piece that I’m preparing as an opportunity to be creative and experiment with how it’s sung.”
Smith believes that his role as a composer helps him to guide the choir in interpreting various musical styles. “One of the advantages I have as a conductor/composer is knowing how composers think and their overall goals with a piece. I can look at the music from a different perspective than just a conductor – the composer’s perspective – and guide the choir in interpreting the piece accordingly.”
Looking Ahead
As PBCC embarks on this landmark tour of India, they continue to uphold their mission of inspiring young singers and promoting cultural exchange through music. The collaboration between PBCC and Classical Movements exemplifies the transformative power of music to bridge cultural divides and create lasting connections.
Classical Movements’ dedication to arranging such tours and collaborations ensures that ensembles like PBCC can continue to share their talents with audiences worldwide, fostering a greater understanding and appreciation of diverse musical traditions. As Smith looks to the future, he remains excited about the possibilities for PBCC, saying, “For the boys choir, a tour of India has long been a dream of mine, and I’m thrilled it’s finally happening this year! In our 50+ years of touring, the choir has been just about everywhere else, but there are a few spots we haven’t toured yet, such as Brazil, Chile, Peru, and the West African countries. We’re looking at some of those for future years.”
Smith reflects on the broader impact of these tours, stating, “Touring is an integral part of the choir’s mission. It allows our boys to see the world, meet people from different cultures, and share their music with new audiences. These experiences are invaluable and help to shape them into well-rounded individuals who appreciate the diversity and beauty of our world. As we prepare for our tour of India, I’m excited to see the impact it will have on our boys and the connections we will make with the people of India. Music has the power to bring people together, and I’m proud to be a part of that process.”
With the support of Classical Movements, PBCC is poised to make a lasting impression in India, showcasing their talents and fostering cultural exchange through the universal language of music. This tour not only marks a significant milestone in PBCC’s history but also exemplifies the power of music to connect people across cultures and create lasting bonds of understanding and appreciation.
