Ragazzi Boys Chorus presents "SingFest"

REDWOOD CITY, CA (23 July 2019) — Acclaimed Ragazzi Boys Chorus invites young boys who enjoy singing to attend its free summer SingFest. Held at Ragazzi’s rehearsal location in Redwood City, this free half-day mini-camp for boys ages 7 to 10 offers singing, musical games, and a light snack, followed by a short performance for parents. Boys who love to sing and want to “test-drive” Ragazzi’s world-class choral experience are invited to participate in this entertaining event. SingFest runs from 9:30am to 12:00pm Saturday, August 24, 2019 at 178 Clinton St., Redwood City. No singing experience is necessary, but those interested must pre-register online at bit.ly/SINGFEST, by calling (650) 342-8785, or by emailing ragazzi@ragazzi.org. If offered entry level placement in the chorus, boys joining will have the choice of three locations (depending on class enrollment): Ragazzi’s home base in Redwood City, in San Mateo, or its newest location in Palo Alto. Parents may choose whichever location is most convenient. If a child is unable to attend SingFest, but is interested in joining Ragazzi, small group auditions are also offered by appointment at https://ragazzi.org/join-us/book-audition/.

SingFest seamlessly integrates auditions into the day’s activities, making it a fun and stress-free experience. There is no obligation to join Ragazzi after attending SingFest. Those who do join will be placed in an entry-level or intermediate level-chorus, depending on their maturity and experience.

Through training in vocal development, music theory, sight-reading, and stage presence, Ragazzi Boys Chorus prepares boys to be accomplished performers. In addition to superb musical training and performance experiences, Ragazzi boys forge close friendships and develop self-confidence in their ability to interact with both peers and adults while working to reach their personal and team goals. According to Ragazzi Artistic Director Joyce Keil, “It has been my experience that young people respond passionately to powerful music. For boys who join Ragazzi, musicianship and choral training provide life lessons in leadership, teamwork, excellence, and perseverance, and a deep appreciation of the power and beauty of music that transcends cultural differences.”

Peninsula-based Ragazzi Boys Chorus is one of the San Francisco Bay Area’s premiere music and performance organizations for boys. Currently, there are more than 250 singers from over 100 schools in 30+ Bay Area communities participating in the program. Ragazzi means “boys” in Italian and is the term used in opera to refer to children’s voices. Ragazzi has performed with the San Francisco Opera, San Francisco Symphony, Opera San Jose, West Bay Opera, Symphony Silicon Valley, Masterworks Chorale, and the Stanford University Symphonic Chorus among others. The group has toured throughout the United States and internationally. In 1999, Ragazzi was honored for its contribution to the San Francisco Symphony’s triple Grammy Award-winning recording of Stravinsky’s Perséphone, and has five CDs available: A Holiday Collection, Canciones de Alabanza, Magnificat: My Spirit Rejoices, Splendors of the Italian Baroque, and I Dream A World.