November 14, 2001

Moscow Boys Choir to Perform Christmas Around the World at Ramapo College

(Mahwah)- The Moscow Boys Choir, one of the most prestigious of the all-boy a cappella groups in Russia, in their third annual tour of Christmas Around the World, will perform Friday, December 7 at 8 p.m. in the Sharp Theater at Ramapo College of New Jersey. The performance will include carols from Russia, Europe, and North America, many sung in their language of origin, as well as excerpts from holiday favorites from previous tours such as "Silent Night" and "Angels We Have Heard on High." "If indeed there is such a thing as heavenly chorus, it must sound like The Moscow Boys Choir!" stated a reviewer in the St. Joseph News and Press.

With more than 30 members, the choir ranges in age from eight through 18. The boys are handpicked from over 400 students at their school in Moscow and not only must have talent, but also discipline. The boys usually begin their life in music as early as age five but are not allowed to perform for audiences until age nine.

The choir has performed for audiences in Italy, Belgium, Holland and around the United States. Some of the shows in which they have participated include operatic productions such as Puccini’s La Boheme and Tchaikovsky’s Queen of Spades. They also present works by contemporary Soviet composers, Russian and European classics, as well as popular Soviet folk songs. Furthermore, their repertoire includes religious compositions by Russian and European composers and romantic, popular Russian folk songs.

The choir has made many special appearances around the world. In 1988, they appeared in a command performance at the Royal Albert Hall in London for HRH the Princess Royal. Also, in 1999 they performed for President Clinton, the First Family and friends, at a private holiday gala at the White House.

The choir was founded in 1957 and is currently under the direction of Ninel Kamburg, artistic director, who has been with them since 1966. She was born in Russia in 1940 and is a graduate of the Russian Musical Academy Conductors Faculty. Besides being a composer, she is a lecturer, teacher and author of many articles published in Musical Encyclopedia and other major industry magazines. She is responsible for most of the musical arrangements performed by the choir.

Tickets are $20 for general admission, $17 for seniors and Ramapo affiliates, $10 for students with a valid I.D. and $5 for Ramapo Students. The Sharp Theater is located in the Angelica and Russ Berrie Center for Performing and Visual Arts on the Ramapo College campus. For information or to order tickets, call (201) 684-7844.