(The Boys Choir of Harlem:Image from The New York Times:Michelle V. Agins)We have lost a national treasure. The Boys Choir of Harlem is no longer performing. I learned this information from an article on The New York Times.com. A Quiet End for Boys Choir of Harlem by Sharon Otterman.
When I read the article it made me feel sad on one hand. The Boys Choir of Harlem gave outstanding performances. I had the opportunity to see them perform live and it was simply beautiful!
The ironic thing about the end of this choir is highlighted in the article.
Led by Dr. Turnbull, who started the group in 1968, the choir sang at the White House for nearly every president since Lyndon B. Johnson, and it was awarded the National Medal of Arts by Bill Clinton. But it did not survive long enough to perform for the country’s first black president.
The problems that caused the demise of this group are many. We need to take note of what not to do when setting up and running an organization. I am hoping that in the future we will see another group take up the tradition of The Boys Choir of Harlem.
Katheleen Battle and The Boys Choir of Harlem:Rise Up Shepherd
Carol of the Bells:The Boys Choir of Harlem
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1 comments:
There are so few positive outlets for our children, it's a tragedy when any of them disappear. Especially, an organization as prominent and well established as the "Boys Choir of Harlem".
I know I am going to sound like a broken record, but this is what happens when we fail to put our children first! Instead of thinking about their reputation, the police should have been called the moment sexual abuse allegations were made. I mean, seriously. Who wants to support an organization that allows its adult members to molest children?
I imagine that a lot of the boys in that choir probably came from rough circumstance and "broken" homes. Their involvement in that organization, was probably the only bright spot in their lives. And all because some grimy bastard decided to abuse his position of authority, even more children's lives have been negatively impacted.
You're right. This is a very sad story. Once, again... thanks for the enlightenment!
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