Sussex County Welcomes Renowned Boys' Choir from Catalonia, Spain

The renowned Escolania de Montserrat, one of Europe’s oldest, most storied boys’ choirs, will join the Children’s Chorus of Sussex County for a concert at Christ Church Newton on Wednesday, June 28th at 7:00 p.m. The 750-year-old boys’ choir will perform eight concerts on their American tour under the baton of music director, Llorenç Castelló, who is also an alumnus of the Catalonian school. The performance is free, although a free will offering will be taken. Christ Church is located at 62 Main Street in the heart of downtown Newton.

Perched atop the mountains near Barcelona, the choir of the Benedictine Abbey of Santa Maria de

Montserrat is one of Europe’s oldest choral ensembles, dating back to the early 14th century. Until recently their primary engagement in religious, rather than concert activities, made performances outside of Catalonia exceedingly rare. “Boy choirs of this quality are a special treasure in the choral music world, and we’re excited to bring the Escolania to the United States,” says Neeta Helms, Founder and President of Classical Movements, the concert tour company that organized this summer’s tour. “Escolania’s historic tradition of training and musicianship, especially with the boys’ fleeting vocal range, guarantees that every year, every tour will have a polished, albeit unique sound.”

In addition to pieces performed by the Escolania de Montserrat, the concert will feature selections by each of the choral ensembles which comprise the Children’s Chorus of Sussex County, the Concert Choir, Bella Voce and the Young Men’s Ensemble. The concert will finish with a joint performance by both choirs of two works.

“The Children’s Chorus of Sussex County is proud to welcome the Escolania de Montserrat and our children are delighted to have the opportunity to collaborate in a performance with such a prestigious chorus,” remarked Deborah Mello, Founder and Artistic Director of the Children’s Chorus of Sussex County.

The Children’s Chorus of Sussex County (CCSC) is comprised of three separate choirs; Bella Voce for younger singers, Concert Choir for more mature female voices, and the Young Men’s Ensemble for boys with changed voices. Funding for the Children’s Chorus of Sussex County has been made available in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, through the State/County Partnership Block Grant Program, as administered by the Sussex County Arts and Heritage Council. For more information about the Children’s Chorus of Sussex County visit www.ccscsings.org.