LINCOLN, NE – May 28, 2019- The Lincoln Boys Choir is pleased to announce a partnership with Saint Paul United Methodist Church as artists in residence at the historic downtown church. The choir has always held its December concert in the sanctuary and will now practice there during the school year and call Saint Paul its permanent home.
The presence of the Lincoln Boys Choir will compliment the church’s strong music program. The church is known for its Lincoln-built Bedient pipe organ, and also boasts a two-manual harpsichord, Yamaha concert grand piano and the McKinley Bells, which can be heard from the church tower following Sunday morning worship services. Saint Paul’s Director of Music, Dr. William Wyman is “very pleased that the Lincoln Boys Choir is now in residence at Saint Paul United Methodist Church. For many years we have enjoyed a collaboration with the Concert Choir of the Lincoln Boys Choir via combined worship appearances with the Saint Paul Chancel Choir. Having the Boys Choir in residence at Saint Paul underscores the church’s mission of community outreach and service. It also provides an educational experience for both the adult members of the church choir and the young singers of the Lincoln Boys Choir.”
The church is expanding its presence as an inclusive center for outreach in the arts and community involvement. “Our church community is honored to have the Lincoln Boys Choir in residence at Saint Paul” said Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Jane Florence. “In addition to a high caliber of excellence in their performances, I see an incredible quality of character being developed in these young men. Saint Paul’s downtown location is important to our past, present and our future. Our in-residence program with the Choir is another link to our neighbors in the downtown area and in our entire community. We look forward to the future of this program and all other Saint Paul programs that connect people and create a space of gathering for all.”
The Lincoln Boys Choir organization is comprised of three choirs of approximately 100 boys, ages 8-18, selected by audition to perform in one of three groups. Concert Choir, under the direction of Kevin Scheele and accompanied by Julie Schumacher, performed with the Omaha Symphonic Chorus and Omaha Symphony at St. Cecilia’s Cathedral in December. Scheele also led Concert Choir for a tour performance in York, NE on May 4th. Cantare and Chorale choirs are both under the direction of Burton Schernikau and accompanied by Karen Karr Ammons. Chorale, composed of middle school singers, recently completed a tour of four Lincoln elementary schools.
The choirs have also performed with the University of Nebraska Men’s Choir, Nebraska Wesleyan University Choir and Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra in the past. Touring for the choir has included both extensive domestic and international travel in the past. In 2014, the Lincoln Boys Choir received the Richard Hay Arts Organization Award selected by the mayor of Lincoln and the Lincoln Arts Council. The award recognizes an arts group that has made significant contributions to Lincoln’s arts community.
“Saint Paul has been such a great partner with us for holiday concerts and collaborations,” Lincoln Boys Choir Director Kevin Scheele said. “We are so excited to have the opportunity to grow that partnership as artists in residence. The historic sanctuary has a fantastic acoustic, and we have more opportunities for artistic growth with access to the pipe organ and harpsichord during our weekly rehearsals. It’s truly a beautiful place to call our rehearsal home.”
For Immediate Release
Contact:
The Lincoln Boys Choir
402-499-4446
kirsten@lincolnboyschoir.org
Saint Paul United Methodist Church
Brent Comstock
communications@saintpaulumc.org
