ViennaBoys Choir

Since 1498, the Wiener Sängerknaben have been training children at the highest level – a 528-year history that is still being written today.

Today there are 94 active Vienna Boys Choir members between 10 and 14 years of age, from 19 different countries. The boys are divided into 4 choirs, named after the Austrian composers Bruckner, Haydn, Mozart and Schubert.

Each choir spends nine to eleven weeks of the school year on tour: one trimester. Together they give around 300 performances a year to almost half a million people. The Vienna Boys Choir travels to nearly every country in Europe, to Asia and Australia, South and Central America, the USA and Canada.

Old masterpieces, a breath of fresh air

The repertoire of the Vienna Boys Choir spans several centuries, different genres and all continents, sacred and secular music; contemporary works have their place just as much as historical ones. The aim is to break down the divide between high culture and contemporary culture in young people and to foster appreciation for the most diverse works of art. As a sign of respect for the host culture, works from each destination are also rehearsed in the local language for every tour.

Unique encounters and friends for life

Choristers accomplish a great deal – as encouragement, there are regular meetings and collaborations with the world’s best in music, art and culture, which inspire and leave unforgettable impressions. Encounters with heads of state, dignitaries and celebrities from all over the world are also part of the programme, whether they pay a visit to the equally world-famous choir or the boys are on tour. The friendships made in the Augarten last just as long as these memories – often a lifetime.

Text: Wiener Sängerknaben, wsk.at (translation)