PRINCETON ON THE BIG SCREEN: Oscar winners Dustin Hoffman and Kathy Bates star in “Boychoir,” a film inspired by Princeton’s American Boychoir School. Several American Boychoir students have speaking roles in the film, along with Litton-Lodal Music Director Fernando Malvar-Ruiz and Dr. James Litton, Music Director Emeritus.

The American Boychoir will see their visibility increased with the September 5 premier of director François Girard’s Boychoir, one of only 7 Gala presentations at the Toronto International Film Festival. Boychoir tells the story of an orphaned 12-year-old boy sent to a prestigious music school where he struggles to join an elite group of world-class singers. No one expects this rebellious loner to succeed, least of all the school’s relentlessly tough conductor who wages a battle of wills to bring out the boy’s extraordinary musical gift. The film stars Dustin Hoffman, Kathy Bates, Josh Lucas, Kevin McHale, Eddie Izzard, Debra Winger, and Garrett Wareing.

The American Boychoir School students feature prominently, serving as the film’s choir and providing all of the singing heard throughout. Several American Boychoir School students auditioned for speaking roles in the film and one, Dante Soriano, was cast as one of the five major boy characters. Litton-Lodal Music Director Fernando Malvar-Ruiz appears as the orchestra conductor and Dr. James Litton, Music Director Emeritus, also provides a cameo.

“Our choir is known throughout the world and has established a loyal global audience. We are excited that a film such as Boychoir not only showcases our talented students, but opens up a larger audience to our music and the powerful work we do to nurture and mentor our students,” says newly installed American Boychoir School President, Dr. Kerry Heimann.

The Toronto International Film Festival is one of the leading public film festivals, screening more than 300 films from nearly 60 countries every September. To learn more, visit www.tiff.net.

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