Founded by a multifaceted visionary encompassing social work, 学术界, 社会行动主义, 公民领导力, the Boston Children’s Chorus (BCC) has successfully harmonized social justice and music education on a global scale. As the music director and principal conductor of the Premier Choir, 肯尼斯·格里菲思, ’12, is focused on aligning his music curriculum with meaningful discussions on social justice and the empowerment of young singers.
“We harness the power of music to connect to our city’s diverse communities, 培养同情心, 激发社会探究. The idea is that our singers use music as a vehicle for social change, 作为社会变革的催化剂. 这是我们流程的一部分, in addition to trying to sound our best, is to also teach singers to use their voice,格里菲思说.
The BCC is a well-known and respected organization based in Boston, Mass., that provides choral music education and performance opportunities for young people. The comprehensive music education program includes vocal training, 音乐理论, 以及表演经验. It brings together youth from various racial, 少数民族, and socioeconomic backgrounds to participate in choirs and perform at concerts and events in Boston and beyond.
“All of our seasons are surrounded around a theme. We’ve covered things in the past like the climate emergency and women’s rights. This year, our theme is titled 'True Colors,' and it's all about LGBTQI+ stories. We’re having conversations about what it means to be a place of radical hospitality for people in that community to uplift their stories and to celebrate the triumph of the community,格里菲思说.
Among the numerous performances during the scheduled season, the annual Dr. 马丁·路德·金. Tribute Concert shines as one of the most prominent. 1月15日, 2024, the BCC will take the stage at Symphony Hall to celebrate “love’s victory is a victory for us all.” The concert is open to the public.
“This season is personal to me as well because I am married in 麻萨诸塞州. 在我们这个赛季结束的时候, we’re going to be coming up on 20 years since the legalization of same-sex marriage in 麻萨诸塞州. It feels like something really monumental,格里菲思说. “For our younger singers, we’re focusing on allyship and being an upstander versus a bystander. How do you learn to love and appreciate yourself, to know who you are and then extend that into the community? 它们是怎么出现的?”
As a vocal performance student at 资本, Griffith found himself surrounded by talent he hoped to emulate as a professional.
“My teachers at 资本 really did prepare me to go into the world and be successful. I wasn’t necessarily the best student, but the community of teachers was very supportive. They understood me as a person; provided and created a space in which I felt I was able to grow and take risks,格里菲思说. “I think daily about that community and what I’ve learned there as a music student. The support I got at 资本 was really instrumental in making me feel comfortable. I think it was a place that allowed me to try.”
后资本, Griffith went on to earn his Master of Music in Choral Conducting at Bard College. He combined the skills he learned at both institutions to create his own conducting style.
“I combined my learnings from Lynda Hasseler at 资本 and James Bagwell at Bard together in a style that I have made my own. I went from Bard College to teaching at a prep school in North Andover, 麻萨诸塞州, where I was building their program,格里菲思说. “Even though I was a vocal performance major, I was comfortable working with their ensembles because I had spent so much time with instrumentalists at 资本.”
Before moving to BCC, Griffith was the director of choral and chamber music at the Brooks School.
“I always felt like my classrooms were some of the most diverse places on campus at any given moment and it was great. All these kids from different backgrounds coming together and connecting. There was such a great understanding and care for each other within the classroom. That’s where empathy comes in and I start to explore what music’s role is in that environment,格里菲思说. “By the time BCC reached out to me, I realized I was already living the mission artistically.”
For more information about the 音乐学院 at 资本, visit http://www.资本.edu/academics/conservatory-of-music/.