The Palmetto State Boychoir
The Palmetto State Boychoir began as the music education arm of the Florence Men's Choral Society in Florence, South Carolina. Under Founder, Music Director and Conductor Mark Railey, the boychoir auditioned eleven boys and began rehearsals in January of 2009.
The Palmetto State Boychoir rehearsed several times each week in different locations. It's principal rehearsal site for the 2010 - 2011 performance year was in the Parish Hall of All Saints Episcopal Church in Florence, SC.
In 2010, the boychoir established an office and second rehearsal site at Saint Bartholomew Episcopal Church in Hartsville, SC. During the next two years, the choir grew to approximately 30 boys.
In 2011, the choir began working with the Boys and Girls club in Florence and opened discussion with choir directors around the state about launching branches in their communities. The largest choral community of boys was located in Aiken, with approximately 70 boys brought together from 4 elementary schools. Demographic research indicated that Columbia would be able to maintain a choir of 80 boys and Charleston would plateau around 110 boys.
The boys in the Florence area attended the Georgia Boychoir Festival in 2011 and 2012. The GBF ran under the capable leadership of Dr. David White, a former boychoir director from South Carolina.
With the recession and the struggles with constant recruitment in the Florence area, the founding Director, Mark Railey relocated to greener pastures in the Green Mountain State of Vermont. He accepted the role of Vermont ACDA R&S Chair for Boychoirs and launched the Vermont Boychoir. The Palmetto State Boychoir was put to sleep while Dr. Railey and other leadership considered the future of the organization.
Options under consideration include selling (or possibly transferring) the history of the organization to another boychoir, running occasional festivals under the name Palmetto State Boychoir, creating an online music education program for South Carolina boys with regional ensembles forming as they may, or re-launching the choir in a new format.
Before taking its siesta, the Palmetto State Boychoir performed over 100 concerts and educated over 60 boys. Several new younger boys had registered for the 2012-2013 season. Approximately 10 boys remained on the roster. These boys were encouraged to join a local children's community chorus while the decisions were made.
More information about the Palmetto State Boychoir and its current state may be found at the organizations website: www.psboychoir.org or by contacting Mark Railey at mrailey@vermontboychoir.org.
The Palmetto State Boychoir rehearsed several times each week in different locations. It's principal rehearsal site for the 2010 - 2011 performance year was in the Parish Hall of All Saints Episcopal Church in Florence, SC.
In 2010, the boychoir established an office and second rehearsal site at Saint Bartholomew Episcopal Church in Hartsville, SC. During the next two years, the choir grew to approximately 30 boys.
In 2011, the choir began working with the Boys and Girls club in Florence and opened discussion with choir directors around the state about launching branches in their communities. The largest choral community of boys was located in Aiken, with approximately 70 boys brought together from 4 elementary schools. Demographic research indicated that Columbia would be able to maintain a choir of 80 boys and Charleston would plateau around 110 boys.
The boys in the Florence area attended the Georgia Boychoir Festival in 2011 and 2012. The GBF ran under the capable leadership of Dr. David White, a former boychoir director from South Carolina.
With the recession and the struggles with constant recruitment in the Florence area, the founding Director, Mark Railey relocated to greener pastures in the Green Mountain State of Vermont. He accepted the role of Vermont ACDA R&S Chair for Boychoirs and launched the Vermont Boychoir. The Palmetto State Boychoir was put to sleep while Dr. Railey and other leadership considered the future of the organization.
Options under consideration include selling (or possibly transferring) the history of the organization to another boychoir, running occasional festivals under the name Palmetto State Boychoir, creating an online music education program for South Carolina boys with regional ensembles forming as they may, or re-launching the choir in a new format.
Before taking its siesta, the Palmetto State Boychoir performed over 100 concerts and educated over 60 boys. Several new younger boys had registered for the 2012-2013 season. Approximately 10 boys remained on the roster. These boys were encouraged to join a local children's community chorus while the decisions were made.
More information about the Palmetto State Boychoir and its current state may be found at the organizations website: www.psboychoir.org or by contacting Mark Railey at mrailey@vermontboychoir.org.
