The American Boychoir had busy weeks in December, performing its annual holiday concerts at Richardson Auditorium in Princeton (December 18) and at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City (December 19). Both concerts included performances of Benjamin Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols with harp, a piece they performed in Princeton earlier in the month for the popular series “What Makes It Great?” with host Rob Kapilow. Interspersed between movements of the Britten work were other popular carols, including “Ding Dong Merrily on High,” “Silent Night,” and “The Holly and the Ivy.” The Boychoir led the audience in a sing-along of “O Come All Ye Faithful” — many of the boys in the choir said that this was their favorite part of the concerts.

At both concerts, the Boychoir performed to enthusiastic audiences, with the Richardson Auditorium performance completely sold out. Among the appreciative fans in New York City were President Bill and Secretary Hillary Clinton! Fernando Malvar-Ruiz, Litton-Lodal artistic director of the American Boychoir, dedicated “This Christmastide,” a beautiful carol on the program, to Secretary Clinton, and the Clintons signed autographs for fans in the audience. The American Boychoir previously performed for President Clinton during his time in office.

These two concerts wrapped up a busy fall for the American Boychoir, which included a tour spanning eight states across the Midwest, a holiday tour, and a three-night engagement with the Philadelphia Orchestra, performing Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana. Upon return from the holiday break, the choir will prepare for its winter tour and its first-ever tour of China, taking place in April 2017.

———