Czech Boys Choir entertains at MLC

By MARTHA KRIENKE

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Despite the blowing snow and freezing temperatures, the Czech Boys Choir Boni Pueri performed last night at the Martin Luther College Auditorium to a large and captive audience. Presented by the New Ulm Area Concert Association, this performance was only one of 40 appearances the choir will have throughout the country during the next seven weeks.

The 28 singers ranged from 10 to 20 years old. Choir members Martin Sedlacek (10) and Stepan Kloucek (20) introduced the three segments of the program with skits spoken in English. The boys entered the stage holding candles as they began the evening with European Classical Music. Wearing yellow and white choir robes, they sang selections such as Handel's "Hallelujah" and Mozart's "Personent Hodie."

The second section showcased Czech Music and Folksongs, and the boys wore traditional folk costumes with colorful ribbons hanging from their vests and pants. The audience chuckled as the boys and young men sang musical "jokes" with special sounds, harmonies and movements.

Finally, the concert closed with songs from around the world including American classics such as "Hello, Dolly" and "Over the Rainbow." Wearing red velvet vests and bow ties, the boys joined together in choreography for many of the final songs. The entire program was sung in a variety of languages including English, Czech, German, French and others.

Choir Director Jakub Martinec is a former member of the choir and began preparing for this tour in September. He said while they are touring the older boys tend to take care of the younger ones. Because they take no chaperones, the choir members look out for one another and help each other with homework. Martinec said, "It's important they are friends, or they could not live together for seven weeks."

The Boni Pueri choir will tour in 11 states and Washington, D.C. Martinec said they enjoy performing for American audiences because they are spontaneous with their applause and will sometimes join the choir in singing. "People are really open and friendly here," Martinec said.

Back home, 150 boys participate in the full choir which began in 1982. Two groups perform all over the world singing soprano, alto, tenor and bass. The choir is formed from the afternoon School of Boys Choir Singing Boni Pueri. Students begin in this school when they are 4 and are ready to compete to join the choir when they are 9. Besides choir singing, students learn music theory, intonation, voice training, keyboard playing and drama and acting instruction. The top graduates of the Choir school are welcomed directly to the concert choir of Boni Pueri which has released seven CDs.

"It's neat to see the boys grow up," said Martinec, who has directed the group for four seasons. "I say I know them more than their parents." As the boys' parents wave goodbye to their sons for seven weeks, Martinec often tells them to say goodbye to their boy because he's going to come back a man.