PRESS RELEASE
July 8, 2019
For Immediate Release
Contact:
The Lincoln Boys Choir
402-499-4446
kirsten@lincolnboyschoir.org
LINCOLN BOYS CHOIR NAMES SCHEELE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
LINCOLN, NE - July 8, 2019 - For Immediate Release
As Lincoln Boys Choir approaches its 17th season, the Lincoln Boys Choir Board of Directors has named Kevin Scheele as its new artistic director. Scheele has served as associate director since 2004 and has been continuously involved with the organization since its revival in 2002. Former conductor and artistic director Burton Schernikau has been named the first Emeritus Director of Lincoln Boys Choir. As artistic director Scheele will oversee the artistic mission and goals of the organization. Lincoln Boys Choir is comprised of three choirs of approximately 100 boys, ages 8-18, who are selected by audition. Scheele will conduct Concert Choir and Chorale, the upper elementary and select ensembles for unchanged voices, respectively. An interim conductor will direct Cantare, comprised of high school aged boys with changed voices.
Kevin Scheele, a Nebraska Wesleyan University graduate, taught vocal music at Lincoln Southeast High School for six years. While there he directed the freshman choir, junior varsity mixed choir, and sophomore swing choir. He stays active performing as a contracted singer with the Saint Paul United Methodist Chancel Choir in Lincoln, where he also serves as assistant conductor. He spends time each summer attending choral workshops and working as a staff member at the Nebraska Wesleyan Children’s Choir Camp.
Lincoln Boys Choir recently partnered with Saint Paul United Methodist Church, when it became artists in residence at the historic downtown church. “Saint Paul has been such a great partner with us for holiday concerts and collaborations,” Scheele said. “We are so excited to have the opportunity to grow that partnership as artists in residence. The historic sanctuary is fantastic acoustically, 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.”
The choirs have performed with the University of Nebraska Varsity Chorus, Nebraska Wesleyan University Choir, Omaha Symphonic Chorus, Omaha Symphony, Saint Paul Chancel Choir, and Lincoln's Symphony Orchestra in the past. Touring for the choir has included both extensive domestic and international travel. In 2014, 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.
As a 501(c)-3 non-profit organization, Lincoln Boys Choir is governed by a board of directors. “The Lincoln Boys Choir is entering a new and exciting chapter, and Kevin is the ideal artistic leader at a time when we are entering into new creative relationships in the Lincoln arts community and our foundation is stronger than ever,” said Audrie Bates, president of Lincoln Boys Choir board of directors. “Kevin brings continuity and a fresh outlook on the future of Lincoln Boys Choir. With his creativity and professionalism, we’ll stretch toward new horizons. His programming of the coming season already is good evidence of that.”
“I’m very excited to continue my involvement with Lincoln Boys Choir in this new role,” Scheele said. “We have many opportunities for collaboration in the wider Lincoln and Omaha communities that promise to be fantastic experiences for our young men. As they grow musically in the choir, they’re also gaining life experiences that shape their worldview and character. Providing those opportunities for our singers is something that I am very proud of and will continue to seek out as artistic director of the Lincoln Boys Choir.”
In 2002, the Lincoln Scottish Rite Preservation Foundation provided the resources needed to re-establish the Lincoln Boys Choir. At that time, the men of the Lincoln Scottish Rite hired Schernikau as artistic director. Schernikau served as artistic director and conductor of Chorale and Cantare through the end of the 2018-19 season.
