• The Grand Rapids Choir of Men & Boys

     

    A Brief History and an Enduring Purpose 

  • Founded in 1989, the Grand Rapids Choir of Men & Boys focuses on singing music in the style of the great English Cathedral and Cambridge and Oxford Collegiate Chapel Choirs.

     

    Mission Statement

     

    The Grand Rapids Choir of Men & Boys exists to encourage and support the spiritual and musical education of boys, and to serve the worship and arts communities of West Michigan.

     

    “All good things come by grace, grace comes by art, and art does not come easy.”
     

    As a chartered member of the Royal Schools of Church Music, boys enter the Grand Rapids Choir of Men & Boys as probationers. They progress to junior choristers then senior choristers. At each level their abilities are stretched, their gifts challenged and trained. This is art that does not come easy. But come it does. Because beyond a musical style and repertoire, GRCMB offers boys a time-tested cultural apprenticeship into a rare level of musical performance and appreciation. By this “grace” West Michigan is blessed.

     

     

    Blessings for Boys

    • In a fast-spinning world, the supplement of a culture that is inspired – not driven or distracted
    • Opportunities for leadership and achievement beyond school and athletics.
    • Mentoring and modeling by men in a setting equally challenging to both.
    • An opportunity to work alongside their fathers.

     

    Blessings for West Michigan

    • Recovery, and for many discovery, of a rich music and worship heritage.
    • Sacred concerts for reflection, devotion, and personal inspiration throughout the seasons of the church year.

     

     

  • Quotes

    “I have accepted the position as Principal Guest Conductor and Music Advisor to the Grand Rapids Choir of Men & Boys because I find real fervour and commitment about their singing which is infectious. Surely they must be a source of pride to the people of Grand Rapids, and how good it is to have young choristers drawn from all over the city.”

    Dr. Martin Neary – Former Director of MusicWestminster Abbey, London – England 

     

     

    “Choirs of Men & Boys have been one of the great Gems of Western Culture during the last millennium. How encouraging to travel 4000 miles and find it flourishing here in Grand Rapids with these boys singing so expressively and for so many of the boys to be singing alongside their fathers. This is really a very, very special choir that you have here in your midst. I do hope that more and more people will come to realise how significant and remarkable a musical organisation the Grand Rapids Choir of Men & Boys is. Membership of a group like this can transform the lives of the singers, not to mention the audience.”

     

    Andrew Nethsingha - Director of MusicWestminster Abbey, London - England

     

     

    “Like the composer Henry Purcell, whose music the choir sang last night, the Grand Rapids Choir of Men & Boys are ‘masters of aching beauty’. What precision and technique. I remember one particular phrase where every “T” was together from the first-grade chorister to the white-haired veteran. After that, I can remember no technique for it was a spiritual night. Their stated purpose was ‘to express the profound mysteries of God.’ They did that. After spending an evening with this choir, the morning greets us brighter today.”

     

    Andrew Paton Plummer - Letter to the Grand Rapids Press Editor

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