Philadelphia Boys Choir Prepares To Take Talents To Cuba
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- They've been sold out this entire season. The melodic voices of the Philadelphia Boys Choir, a signature sound of the season in our area, will hold their final holiday concert on Sunday in Haddon Heights, before they take off for Cuba in January. However, you can still catch them on TV this week.
Comprised of boys, teenagers and men, the Philadelphia boys choir travels the world to share their gift, performing for the Pope and the Queen.
Jeffery R. Smith is the Artistic Director and says they will make their 3rd trip to Cuba to perform for the people, and some members of government. The choir visited in both 1999 and 2003 and will be in Cuba from January 8-14.
The trip comes after a hectic few months of concerts. "As crazy as this season is for them, they enjoy the hustle and bustle, and it's kind of fun," Smith said.
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He added that this year's trip is sort of a diplomatic one.
"This year, with everything that was going on with President Obama, mending fences if you will, and re-establishing a connection with the governments, if you will, I said this is the perfect opportunity for us to go back," Smith said.
He add that it's so much more than singing for the choir "Besides the musical education they are getting, they are really getting a great cultural experience. We will probably be visiting a school or two, and we are also planning on visiting a children's hospital.
But before the trip, they will make their annual appearance on CBS 3 on Christmas morning. "We've come to the studio here, and put everybody in the spirit, and it puts us in the spirit."