Themes & Conductors
Get to know our fabulous conductors and their weekly themes for BCC SUMMER 2019!
ANIMALS EXTINCT & OBSCURE
Week 1 (July 29 - August 2)
To kick-off BCC SUMMER, we sing all about animals! From dinosaurs to species still undiscovered, singers explore our relationship to the animal kingdom. Celebrate your wild side with Mr. Robbie Jacobs!
Robbie Jacobs holds a Masters in Choral Conducting from the Royal Academy of Music. He is the Co-Artistic Director of contemporary vocal ensemble, Reverie, and has held positions as Acting Artistic Director of the London Youth Choir, Chorus Master of the National Youth Choir of Great Britain, Musical Director of The Resonance Project, and a lecturer in Choral Skills at the Royal Academy of Music. Robbie was the inaugural conducting scholar for Genesis Sixteen, where he studied with Harry Christophers and Eamonn Dougan. As an educator, Robbie has worked extensively in the UK, with the Royal Opera House, Three Choirs Festival, Rosehill Theatre, and the Ledbury Poetry Festival. He is currently the Director of Artistic Programs for the Boston Children's Chorus.
HEART BE BRAVE
Week 2 (August 5 - 9)
This week is all about courage! How are we brave each and every day? How can we be courageous in the face of fear? How can we support one another in our bravery? With a concert rooted in Ogden Nash's "The Adventures of Isabel," your singer will unpack these questions and more. Be brave with Ms. Irene Idicheria!
Irene Idicheria's extensive experience in working with young voices has been showcased through sessions at conferences, as an instructor for Boston Conservatory's music education program, and as a lecturer for the music education program at Gordon College. Idicheria was on the artistic staff of the Boston Children's chorus for five years, directing two of the organization's Training Choirs, and she is thrilled to return for the summer program. Idicheria holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Gordon College, and a Master of Music Education from the University of Hartford. Idicheria taught general music and chorus at the Guilmette Elementary for eight years. She is now the Chief Program Officer for the Boston Children's Chorus.
THE GIANT'S GARDEN
Week 3 (August 12 - 16)
Based on Oscar Wilde's "The Selfish Giant," this week celebrates the power of children's voices to change hearts and minds. With the garden as a metaphor, and with examples from children's literature, we learn to care for one another in song. Spread the love with Mr. Trey Pratt!
Trey is passionate about community through song, and aligns himself with organizations that broaden and diversify the reach of choral music and ensemble singing. A native of Dallas, TX, he received a Bachelor of Arts in Music (voice) from Southern Methodist University and his Masters of Sacred Music at Boston University (choral conducting). At Endicott College, he directs Constellation, an interfraith choir, and maintans a private voice studio. At Boston Children's Chorus he conducts the Roxbury and West End House Training Choirs, is assistant conductor to the Young Men's Ensemble, and is the Special Projects Manager.
I DREAM A WORLD
What's your dream? Successful advocacy starts with imagination. Using the Langston Hughes poem "I Dream a World" as a starting point, this theme asks children to imagine the world they want to live in. In keeping with the theme, the performance and activities for the week include improvisation and students' musical creations. Dream big with Mr. Jason Holmes!
Jason Alexander Holmes has been a successful vocal and general music teacher-conductor at the elementary, secondary, and collegiate levels. Jason has also served as conductor, music director, and keyboardist for numerous school, amateur, and professional productions. Favorites include Benjamin Britten's War Requiem (children's chorus conductor), The Addam's Family (conductor), and The Underground Railroad with soprano Kathleen Battle (chorus director). As a bass-baritone, Jason has performed in Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, Handel's "Messiah", Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess", and Jason Robert Brown's "Parade". Jason is a proud graduate of the Eastman School of Music and Ithaca College. He is currently the Director of Educational Programming for the Boston Children's Chorus.