(PRINCETON, NJ) -- Not only do Princeton Girlchoir and Princeton Boychoir perform throughout New Jersey, but they also travel nationally and internationally — through skies of blue and clouds of white — to share in song both with and for others. Following two years of largely virtual rehearsals and performances due to the pandemic, students at Westrick Music Academy are happy to return to a wonderful world of singing together in person with other choirs.
Performing under the direction of Artistic Director Dr. Lynnel Joy Jenkins, singers from Princeton Girlchoir’s Concert Choir, Cantores, and Ensemble gave concerts in renowned venues throughout Montréal and Québec City, including the Basilica of Notre-Dame.
Members of Princeton Boychoir, under the direction of Education Director Fred Meads, made their international debut as part of the Boychoir’s fifth anniversary season, collaborating on concerts in Prague and Vienna. One of the highlights was a performance at Dvorak Hall, home of the Czech Philharmonic, under the baton of renowned composer and conductor Dr. Rollo Dilworth.
These young singers, from 12 to 18 years of age, experienced first-hand the power of music to bring people together from different cultures and backgrounds. A few of them shared the impact of the experience in their own words:
“On our last day in Europe, we sang a concert in St. Peter’s Church on the Ringstrasse. At the beginning of the concert, there were few people in the church. By the end, there were over 150 people. The amazing thing is that almost all of them stayed. By the end of the concert, the pews in the church were full. Attendees filled the church from buttress to naive, even standing in the back to get a glimpse our concert,” said James C. Teti, Princeton Boychoir Treble Choir, student at St. Paul Catholic School in Princeton.
“This year’s international tour helped me open my eyes to the rich cultural diversity that makes up our world, as well as the commonalities between every country. Not only did I love touring Quebec because I got the chance to put my French skills to the test, but it helped me realize that across the world, everyone has similar passions and similar struggles. Our concerts showed me the power of music. People who didn’t know us came together to listen to us sing and then showered us with love and compliments after,” said Aishwarya Rao, Princeton Girlchoir Ensemble, student at West Windsor Plainsboro High School South.
“We got to work with Dr. Rollo Dilworth, a brilliant conductor that taught the boys of our choir invaluable lessons. Another one of my favorite things about this tour, and the tour experience in general, is meeting people from other choirs. I made friends with those in choirs from Washington, Florida, and New York, and I still talk to some to this day,” added Jack Elliott, Princeton Boychoir Young Men’s Ensemble, student at Hopewell Valley Central High School.
Both the Princeton Girlchoir and Boychoir are programs of Westrick Music Academy. Many exciting performances are planned for the 2022-2023 school year, and it’s not too late to join! To schedule an audition, please visit WestrickMusic.org/Auditions.
Westrick Music Academy provides opportunities to grow in a supportive, inclusive, and joyous environment through the experience of musical excellence. Formerly known as Princeton Girlchoir, Westrick Music Academy (WMA) is the umbrella organization that houses Princeton Girlchoir, Princeton Boychoir, and Music Education Programs.
Fueled by the power of a girl’s voice, Princeton Girlchoir performs not only here at home in Princeton but throughout the world. Through music education and performance, girls develop their voices, build confidence, and often discover a lifelong love of singing together. Founded in 1989 as an after-school activity for 27 girls interested in singing, Princeton Girlchoir has grown to 300 choristers participating each year. Princeton Girlchoir has seven ensembles, comprising girls in 3rd through 12th grade. After auditioning, girls are placed by age and ability. Each choir sings music from various genres, conductors, and composers. While honing their musicianship, choristers begin life-long friendships, enjoy professional performance opportunities, and travel the world to perform.
Princeton Boychoir develops boys into confident young men of character through song, music education, and leadership development. Launched in 2017, the choir comprises boys from third through twelfth grade who are placed by audition in one of three ensembles according to age and ability. Led by Fred Meads, each chorister in Princeton Boychoir strives to be an outstanding musician while developing a sense of self-confidence through education and performance, challenging him to tap into the best part of who he is and what he can accomplish. Now in its fifth Anniversary season, the Boychoir regularly appears on concert stages throughout the Princeton area and beyond.
