The Boys Choir
The Tour
The Concerts
The Performers
Discography
Commissioned Works
Special Performances
Sponsor The
Boys Choir
Book the Boys Choir
The Girls Choir
The Tour
The Performers
Sponsor The Girls Choir
Book the Girls Choir
The Choir Academy
The Core
Program
Artistic Standards
Student Achievement
Special Programs
Student Services
Outreach and Replication
Job
Opportunities
Alumni
Association
Music and More
The BCH Shop
Celebrate Community
The Harlem Strategic
Cultural Collaborative
Inside Harlem, U.S.A.
|
|
 Officers
President.........Tim
Battle
Vice-President..........William Byrd
Secretary..........Gilbert Robinson
Parliamentarian..........Terrance Wright
Preamble
The mission statement of the
Boys Choir of Harlem Alumni Association is to become involved, in a direct
way, with the preservation and perpetuation of the Boys Choir of Harlem,
Inc., the Girls Choir of Harlem, and the Choir Academy of Harlem.
The methods for achieving
these goals are service-oriented - fundraisers, information meetings and
seminars, developing linkages with other organizations to establish solid
foundation for networking toward future endeavors.
A
Message From the President
The year was 1978, just 10 years after the death
of Dr. Martin Luther King. The schools had been integrated but not
necessarily the curriculum that was being taught in them.
African-American studies were a new frontier. The pride in being of
African descent was a new and undiscovered country for many. A legacy of
slavery and poverty was our portion here in America. Imagine a 10 year old
black male born in a country where his very rights as a human being were
in question and being fought for, many times at the cost of blood. The
outlook was not a bright one. However, the deepest darkness yields to the
light of even one candle. Today I speak to you about one such candle and
the man who had the courage to light it and the patience to keep it lit.
It was a typical school day for me at P.S. 125 located in Harlem. The only
thing different about it was the knowledge that all the boys in my class
were to be auditioned by a Mr. Turnbull for some special program. We all
went to a room and sat around a large table. Mr. Turnbull listened to our
voices one by one sometimes with amusing results. Then it was over as
quickly as it began. About two weeks later I received a letter from a
place called The Boys Choir of Harlem stating that I had been accepted.
Even though I had no idea what it was, I was excited about being accepted
to something, and my mother thought it would be a great experience for me
to be involved in what she thought was the Boys Club of America. anyway, I
started to attend an institution that would change my life forever. There
was pride. There was discipline. There was brotherhood. There was respect
and all of this in one place. Yes, we had problems, but we overcame them
together. And we learned that that's what life is all about. Some of us
stayed a year, others .... a lifetime. But no matter how long the stay, we
all can agree that our lives have been richer because of it. We have
watched Boys Choir of Harlem grow from an after school program, to an
institution of international acclaim. It has grown from 40 members, to
nearly 600. We were there to see young black inner-city kids prepared to
become ambassadors to the world. Many said it could not be done. Others
doubted that it would last. Ladies and gentlemen, fellow alumni, it has
been 30 years and not only have we beat the odds, but we have beat them
with glorious results. We are doctors, lawyers, producers, officers,
businessmen, musicians, teachers, preachers, parents, accountants, bus
drivers, chefs, entrepreneurs, and more. But above all, we are positive
contributors to the world in which we live. This is what has become of Dr.
Turnbull's dream. How can we not be inspired to follow in the footsteps he
has diligently taken.
Tim
Battle
CONTACT THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
NOW
|
