Vienna Boys Choir to perform sold-out concert in Pa.

"There's just a four-year period when a boy is singing in the concert choir," he said. "So usually, we like training in Vienna one or two years in elementary school before joining the choir."

But boys will be boys, and even elite singers get bored with training the same way all the time. So Sezen said he tries to different ways to train his singers.


"The boys learn a lot from other boys. For instance, the older one sings a line, and the younger ones listen to them — in a different way from listening always to the teacher," Sezen said. "The oldest know they have an important role in the group."

After their voices change, boys leave the choir. But they may stay in Vienna and sing with one of two associated choirs for former Vienna Boys Choir members.

The concert at Shippensburg will feature seasonal music and also some classics from the Vienna Boys Choir repertoire.

"We must sing what people think should be the repertoire of the Vienna Boys Choir," he said. "You always want the people to hear of the choir what they like. But you must change it. Modern people who use the Internet are used to new music  — music from baroque to pop — not just established stuff."

Sezen said live choral music performances remain popular around the world. Yes, people listen to iPods. Yes, they stream music over the Internet. But a performance by a group like the Vienna Boys Choir is captivating because of the high standards the group maintains.

"I would say everyone wants to perform music, but nobody wants to rehearse. There's a big gap," he said. "Still, people love when a choir is singing, and especially young boys. When it fits for all — when the kids like it and it suits what the audience likes, and it's something I like, it works very well."



If you go ...

WHAT: A concert by the Wiener Sangerknaben (the Vienna Boys Choir)

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12

WHERE: H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center at Shippensburg University, 1871 Old Main Drive, Shippensburg, Pa.

COST: The concert is sold out.

CONTACT: For more on the choir and its schedule, go to www.wienersaengerknaben.at.

MORE: The Vienna Boys Choir will perform other concerts in the area: at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Richmond, Va.; and at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14, at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va.