Behind the Blazer

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Interviews with conductors, collaborators, current and former members will give you an insight into what it takes to run a successful boys choir and how that choir influences the lives of those that listen or sing.

Philadelphia Boys Choir


    • Aug 23, 2022 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 45m AVG DURATION
    • 24 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Behind the Blazer

    S2E11 - Tour Recap

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2022 53:35


    Episode Notes http://pbgcsings.org/donate/

    S2E10 - Ethan Monberg

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2022 31:30


    Episode Notes https://pbgcsings.org/ https://www.phillyboyschoir.org/vocal-conservatory/

    S2E9 - David T. Clydesdale

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 10, 2022 70:39


    Episode Notes David T. Clydesdale is a composer who has won 26 Dove Awards and 2 Grammys. He discusses his career and connection with the Philadelphia Boys Choir & Chorale. https://pbgcsings.org/donate/

    S2E8 - Keystone State Boychoir

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 3, 2022 52:54


    Episode Notes https://pbgcsings.org/donate/ https://keystonestateboychoir.org/donate/

    S2E7 - Philadelphia Sinfonia

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2022 51:03


    Episode Notes https://pbgcsings.org/donate/ https://philadelphiasinfonia.com/ Featuring the vocal talents of Asa Johnson, Abner Murillo, Liam Newkirk, Josiah Johnakin, Arnaub Chaudhary, Sarthak Chaudhary, Alex Sterious, Mark Houck, Christopher Sempier, Jonah Serotta and Bu Long.

    S2E6 - The Mann Center for the Performing Arts

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 20, 2022 58:11


    Episode Notes https://pbgcsings.org/donate https://manncenter.org/events Featuring the vocal talents of Kieran Krauss, Eric Frasch, Max Ebenreiter, David Sigmund, Justin Blevins, Ethan Monberg, Yigues Zjiang, Mark Houck, Christopher Sempier, Jonah Serotta and Bu Long.

    S2E5 - John Stroud

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2022 59:51


    Episode Notes https://pbgcsings.org/donate https://www.haverford.org/ https://www.mediachamberchorale.org/

    Philadelphia Ballet - Supplemental

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 8, 2022 27:18


    Episode Notes https://pbgcsings.org/ https://philadelphiaballet.org/ Sydney Dolan is the First Soloist of the Philadelphia Ballet.

    S2E4 - Philadelphia Ballet

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 6, 2022 63:01


    Episode Notes https://pbgcsings.org/donate https://philadelphiaballet.org/ Featuring the vocal talents of Luke Brooks, Campbell Schumann, Samir Abbas, Luke Brooks, Kolby Grim, Gabriel Beckett, Cavan Hurley, David Sigmund, Tucker Weiss, Jeston Cai, Eric Frasch, Mark Houck, Christopher Sempier, Jonah Serotta and Bu Long.

    S2E3 - Opera Philadelphia

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 29, 2022


    Episode Notes https://pbgcsings.org/ https://www.operaphila.org/ Featuring the vocal talents of Samir Abbas, Charlie Rodgers, Liam Newkirk, Isaac Mendenhall, Josiah Johnakin, Harry Pfeiffer, Christian Schumann, Mark Houck, Christopher Sempier, Jonah Serotta and Bu Long.

    S2E2 - Philly POPS

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2022 46:40


    Episode Notes https://phillypops.org/ https://pbgcsings.org/donate Featuring the vocal talents of Kael Kaufir, Asher Walker, Gabriel Beckett, Levi Craig, Mark Houck, Christopher Sempier, Jonah Serotta and Bu Long.

    S2E1 - Philadelphia Girls Choir

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2022 53:36


    Episode Notes https://pbgcsings.org/donate https://www.phillygirlschoir.org/ Featuring the vocal talents of Julianna Banfe, Mia Castro-Diephouse, Margot Jones, Ava Callahan and Maeve Meyer from the Philadelphia Girls Choir and Mark Houck, Christopher Sempier, Jonah Serotta and Bu Long from the Philadelphia Boys Choir. Contact The PGC: info@phillygirlschoir.org https://painnocence.org/?locale=en

    S1E12 - Three Adult Singers on how to Sing and Travel with 100 Boys

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 2, 2020 41:49


    Interviews with three members of the chorale on the experience of being an adult singing with a boys choir.

    S1E11 - Justin Walker - PBCC Alumnus

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2020 28:42


    Alumnus Justin Walker recounts how the Philadelphia Boys Choir and Chorale helped him blossom as a person and gain confidence. He describes forming meaningful relationships, his new pursuit and gives advice to those considering joining the PBCC.

    S1E10 - Michael Ashby - Voice Teacher

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2020 53:49


    Voice teacher Michael Ashby, from the Philadelphia Vocal Conservatory, describes his role with the Philadelphia Boys Choir & Chorale and how it has blossomed over time. He explains what motivates him as a voice teacher, why the PBCC is unique and his strategy for guiding young singers through voice changes. Michael Ashby also shares one of his proudest moments as a voice teacher.

    S1E9 - Justin Hopkins - Opera Singer and PBCC Alumnus

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2020 54:13


    Bass-baritone opera singer Justin Hopkins shares stories from his extended time in the Philadelphia Boys Choir & Chorale. He joins us via Zoom while in quarantine in Belgium. Justin describes how the PBCC prepared him for his world travels, an important lesson he learned from a big mistake and gives advice to those looking to follow his career path.

    S1E8 - Dr. Robert G. Hamilton - Founder of PBCC

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 5, 2020 24:43


    Episode 8 - Dr. Robert G. Hamilton (PBCC founder) - Dr. Hamilton describes how he began the choir, why he started touring, and how he had to plan tours before the internet age.

    S1E7 - Dante DiMaio - Choir Member and Soloist

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2020 34:17


    Episode 7 - Dante DiMaio (fourth year performing chorister) - Thirteen year-old Dante has been part of the PBCC for 6 years. He sees the training and culture as very influential for his other professional musical experiences. He also describes some of his experiences on tour.

    S1E6 - Val Starr - Dean of Students, Academy of Vocal Arts

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 22, 2020 42:24


    Episode 6 - Val Starr (dean of students, Academy of Vocal Arts) - Ms. Starr, a parent of two PBCC alumni, shares how the AVA has incorporated PBCC members in their opera performances. She also remembers her sons’ time in the choir and how the lessons they learned have helped develop them into the men they are today.

    S1E5 - Rege McAden - Music Teacher

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 15, 2020 41:07


    Episode 5 - Rege McAden (music teacher) - Ms. McAden, a long-time Pennsylvania music teacher, describes how she has helped over 100 boys join the PBCC and shares her most powerful memory of the organization.

    S1E4 - Ukee Washington - Original Choir Member

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 8, 2020 41:07


    Episode 4 - Ukee Washington (original choir member) - CBS 3 anchor Ukee Washington reminisces about his time in the PBCC over 50 years ago. He describes how his boyhood experiences in the choir still impact him today.

    S1E3 - Melissa Shanahan West - Backstage Helper and Mom

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 1, 2020 36:02


    Episode 3 - Melissa Shanahan West (backstage helper) - Having two sons involved in the PBCC, Melissa hit the ground running. She has served as a stage parent for seven years and discusses how the organization has impacted her life and her sons.

    S1E2 - Matthew Stewart - a new boy in the Choir

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2020 25:20


    Episode 2 - Matthew Stewart (new performing choir member) - After two years in the cadet program, Matt reflects upon the work he put into the choir and what it means to earn his blazer.

    S1E1 - Jeff Smith - Artistic Director and Conductor

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2020 57:17


    Episode 1 - Jeff Smith started as a boy in the choir and returned as an accompanist. For the past 12 years he's been the Artistic Director and Conductor. In this interview he looks back at his experiences on both sides of choir.

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