The Raleigh Boychoir to Perform at RCC

Even if you don't attend any other special event this year at Rockingham Community College, make sure you attend the performance of the Raleigh Boychoir.

The choir was born from Thomas E. Sibley's desire to provide boys whose voices had not yet changed, with an opportunity to learn and perform some of the world's greatest choral music. With 20 boys and a $50 donation from the Raleigh Women's Club, the choir began in 1968. Its first performance was a public Christmas concert. Today that concert, titled "Carols of Christmas," is a Yuletide tradition in our state's capital.

It's a demanding life for the 80 young boys in the Choir whose ages range between 8 and 15. In addition to learning complex music and attending weekly rehearsals, the Choir gives 15-20 performances each year.

They have performed at the White House seven times, at Carnegie Hall, the World's Fair, First Flight Centennial, American Choral Director's Association Convention in Savannah, Georgia, and with oratorio societies across the state. They have appeared with the North Carolina Symphony, and performed a European Concert tour.

In 1990, founder and director, Thomas Sibley, was a recipient of the prestigious Raleigh Medal of Arts. In 1992, the Raleigh Boychoir was a recipient of the same honor.

The Choir will be performing in the Advanced Technologies Building auditorium on Oct. 29 at 7 p.m. Their music will feature sacred, secular, spirituals and more. Tickets are $5 for general admission. RCC students, faculty, and staff are admitted free.