Vienna Boys Choir Nov. 5th performing in Pinedale
Vienna Boys Choir Nov. 5th performing in Pinedale
by Pinedale Fine Arts Council
November 3, 2025
The Pinedale Fine Arts Council (PFAC) continues its 50th anniversary season with The Vienna Boys Choir on Wednesday, November 5th at 7:00 PM in the Sheppard Auditorium in Pinedale.
The illustrious Vienna Boys Choir has captivated music lovers around the globe for over five centuries with its angelic voices and celebrated artistry. Founded in 1498 by Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I, the choir was originally established to sing exclusively for the royal court. Today, it continues to uphold this extraordinary legacy of choral excellence through disciplined artistry and performances that stir the soul.
The choir's repertoire is as diverse as its history, spanning from sacred Renaissance music and classical masterworks to lively folk songs and contemporary pop hits. The ensemble operates four separate touring choirs, with approximately 100 choristers aged 10 to 14, who perform nearly 300 concerts a year in over 100 countries. Every performance combines deep musical tradition with the undeniable energy and elegance of these young musicians.
Vienna Boys' Choir is the world's foremost children's choral group. It is also among the oldest of all musical organizations, having been founded pursuant to an Imperial decree of Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I on July 7, 1498; the Emperor wished boys' voices to be added to the choir of the Imperial Chapel, or Hofkapelle. This established a tradition of having the boys sing in weekly Sunday masses in the Imperial Chapel of the Hofburg Palace in Vienna, a tradition that continues today.
Over the centuries, illustrious composers have written masterpieces for the Boys' Choir of the Imperial Chapel, including Mozart, Bruckner, Gluck, and Schubert. Many great musicians got their start as members of the Boys' Choir; among them were the great conductors Hans Richter, Clemens Krauss, and Lovro von Matacic. During the days of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the choir became renowned for its secular performances as well, appearing in colorful Imperial-style military uniforms, each complete with a dagger. After World War I, wide popular and governmental disfavor of all things Imperial resulted in the dissolution of many long-standing institutions, including the Imperial Chapel Choir. However, Chaplain Joseph Schnitt remained in his position at the chapel and re-gathered the choir. Sparing no personal expense, he re-established a boarding school for the choristers. He replaced the imperial uniforms with a distinctive sailor-style uniform.
The Vienna Boys' Choir has the most stringent training and admittance policy in the world. Boys wishing to join must first gain entrance to a preparatory school where they receive a complete elementary education. Their instruction includes elements of musical theory, sight-singing, and the practice of singing, and instruction on at least one instrument; at the age of nine, they have to pass an examination based strictly on musical ability and vocal quality. There is no religious requirement. The teaching is purposely intensive in order that their education not be slighted due to the frequent touring. There are usually two choirs away on a tour at any given time, most frequently for three months. They are accompanied by their choirmaster, their tutor, and a nurse. Vienna Choir Boys have visited the United States well in excess of 50 times since 1932 and have traveled to all six inhabited continents. They are beloved the world over for their lively singing style and beautiful tone and have commissioned a number of new works, including Britten's The Golden Vanity.
Tickets for The Vienna Boys Choir live in Pinedale are available at PFAC outlets (Office Outlets, Nested West, The Cowboy Shop) and online at pinedalefinearts.com,
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