A last-minute cancellation has worked in Washington’s favor. The North Carolina Boys Choir will perform at First Christian Church this evening.
Because tour dates for the 32 choristers are sending them to the area (from Wilson Friday to New Bern Monday), the group’s music director contacted First Christian when the weekend dates became available.
“All I know is they got a cancellation and they thought of us,” said Dr. Michael Price, senior minister at First Christian Church.
The North Carolina Boys Choir was named the official boys choir of the state in 1983 by then-governor James B. Hunt. They have toured London, Scotland and Wales, but call Duke University’s chapel their home.
The choir recently performed at a prayer service as part of Governor Pat McCrory’s Inauguration. This year marks the choir’s 40th anniversary.
The 7 p.m. concert is free, but a love offering will be taken for the choir. Price said to expect some familiar songs as well as sacred tunes from the all-boy choir.
The first half of the program will feature sacred music including Franz Schubert’s “Gloria” and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Ave Verum.”
The second half will feature “Edelweiss” from the “Sound of Music,” a polka, a spiritual and a “Gaelic Blessing.”
The church arranged for local families to host the boys, who range in age from 9 to 14, overnight and will benefit with more music at the 11 a.m. Sunday services.
First Christian Church is located at 401 East Second Street in Washington. For more information, contact the church at 946-4293 or visit their website at www.docwashington.org.