Ragazzi Boys Chorus Hosts "SingFest"

REDWOOD CITY, CA (13 December 2017) — Acclaimed Ragazzi Boys Chorus kicks off the New Year with the return of SingFest, a free half-day mini-camp for boys ages 7 to 10. This action-packed event offers singing, musical games, and other fun at no cost. Boys who love to sing and want to “test-drive” Ragazzi’s world-class choral experience are invited to join in. SingFest runs from 9:30am to 1pm Saturday, January 20, 2018 at Ragazzi’s main rehearsal location in Redwood City. No singing experience is necessary, but those interested must pre-register online at bit.ly/SINGFEST, by calling (650) 342-8785, or by emailing ragazzi@ragazzi.org. If a child is unable to attend, but is interested in joining Ragazzi, small group auditions are also offered before SingFest.

SingFest seamlessly integrates auditions into the day’s activities, making it an entertaining experience. There is never any obligation to join Ragazzi after attending SingFest. Those who do join will be placed in an entry-level or intermediate level-chorus, depending on their maturity and experience.

Through training in vocal development, music theory, sight-reading, and stage presence, Ragazzi Boys Chorus prepares boys to be accomplished performers of outstanding musical works. In addition to superb musical training and performance experiences, Ragazzi boys forge close friendships and develop self-confidence in their ability to interact with both peers and adults while working to reach their personal and team goals. According to Ragazzi Artistic Director Joyce Keil, “It has been my experience that young people respond passionately to powerful music. For boys who join Ragazzi, musicianship and choral training provide life lessons in leadership, teamwork, excellence, and perseverance, and a deep appreciation of the power and beauty of music that transcends cultural differences.”

Now celebrating its 30th anniversary, Peninsula-based Ragazzi Boys Chorus is one of the San Francisco Bay Area’s premiere music and performance organizations for boys. Currently, there are more than 200 singers from over 100 schools in 30+ Bay Area communities participating in the program. Ragazzi means “boys” in Italian and is the term used in opera to refer to children’s voices. Ragazzi has performed with the San Francisco Opera, San Francisco Symphony, Opera San Jose, West Bay Opera, Symphony Silicon Valley, Masterworks Chorale, and the Stanford University Symphonic Chorus among others. The group has toured throughout the United States and internationally. In 1999, Ragazzi was honored for its contribution to the San Francisco Symphony’s triple Grammy Award-winning recording of Stravinsky’s Perséphone, and has five CDs available: A Holiday Collection, Canciones de Alabanza, Magnificat: My Spirit Rejoices, Splendors of the Italian Baroque, and I Dream A World.