H+H Youth Choruses
Chorus of Tenors + Basses
"The teachers are amazing and they balance fun with learning very well." — HHYC Singer
Chorus of Tenors and Basses (grades 6-12) provides a rigorous and musically-challenging experience for singers who wish to study and perform repertoire for tenor and bass voices in a collaborative ensemble of music lovers. CTB sings music from the Baroque and Classical periods, along with spirituals, jazz, folk songs, a cappella, and contemporary choral repertoire. Symphony Hall appearances with the H+H Orchestra and Chorus include Bach St. Matthew Passion, Handel Messiah, Mozart Requiem, Vivaldi Gloria, festivities for the H+H Bicentennial celebrations, and Martini Domine Ad Adjuvandum Me. In addition to performances throughout New England, CTB has toured in Austria, Canada, the Czech Republic, and Ireland with the Chorus of Sopranos and Altos. CTB opened the 2021-22 Season with a performance of Beethoven Symphony No. 9 under the direction of Marin Alsop for over 10,000 people at the Hatch Shell in Boston. This spring, the ensemble collaborates with Blue Heron Renaissance Choir and will give a performance of Duruflé's Requiem with musicians from Boston University.
Rehearsals
Rehearsals for the Chorus of Tenors + Basses are on Saturdays at 9:50am-1:10pm. All CTB singers have a weekly ensemble rehearsal and musicianship class. Four levels of musicianship classes are offered for CTB singers. The HHYC season lasts from September to May. Rehearsals and classes take place at United Parish in Brookline.
Faculty
Dr. Kevin McDonald, conductor
Kim Whitehead, collaborative pianist
Tuition
Tuition is $700 for the full year or $350 per semester. Full and partial scholarships are offered for families demonstrating financial need. Families registering more than one singer pay full tuition for one singer and reduced tuition for all additional singers from their household.
Watch + Listen
Faculty
Conductor
Dr. Kevin McDonald
Dr. Kevin McDonald brings 30 years of teaching experience and a broad musical background to his position as Conductor of the Handel and Haydn Society Chorus of Tenors + Basses. McDonald joined the H+H Youth Choruses Faculty for the 200th Anniversary celebration in 2014. Under his leadership, the Chorus of Tenors + Basses have consistently delivered stellar music performances, engaged in special music projects, worked with guest artists, and collaborated with the professional orchestra and chorus in performances of the Mozart Requiem, Handel’s Messiah, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9. McDonald led the H+H Youth Chorus international tours of Canada in 2017 and Ireland in 2019.
In addition to his role with the H+H, McDonald is in his 22nd year as Director of Choral Music at Wellesley High School, where he leads a thriving choral program consisting of 5 curricular choral ensembles and 4 a cappella groups. Under his direction, ensembles at Wellesley High School consistently perform in gold medal showcases and with professional organizations such as the Boston Pops Orchestra and the New York Voices. He is the Director of Music at Wellesley Village Church where he has served for 21 years. McDonald is frequently hired to guest conduct district, regional, and all state festival choirs in the United States and Europe. He is an active adjudicator and clinician at state and division music education conferences. McDonald is the 2023 recipient of the MMEA Lowell Mason Award for Excellence in Music Education. He is a 3 time semi-finalist and is currently a quarter-finalist for the Grammy Museum Music Educator Award. Dr. McDonald holds a B.M. in music education from the University of New Hampshire, a M.M. in low brass performance from the University of Idaho, and a DMA in music education with choral conducting emphasis from The Hartt School, University of Hartford.
Collaborative Pianist
KIM WHITEHEAD
Kimberly (Vars) Whitehead is thrilled to join the Handel and Haydn Society Youth Choruses faculty team as collaborative pianist for the Chorus of Tenors + Basses with her esteemed colleague, Dr. Kevin McDonald. She graduated magna cum laude with a degree in piano and organ performance from the University of New Hampshire, and went on to complete her Master’s degree in organ performance at Boston University as a student of James David Christie.
Whitehead comes to HHYC with 35 years of experience accompanying choirs and musicians, and has spent the last 25 years teaching piano and conducting. She currently serves as Minister of Music at The First Congregational Church of Milford, NH and as collaborative pianist for Souhegan Valley Chorus and Milford (NH) High School. Passionate about handbells, she serves on the national committee for handbells/ handchimes in schools and is recognized internationally. Whitehead loves photography, museums, the beach, travel, but most especially spending as much time as possible with her three amazing children including her youngest daughter who is in Youth Chorale!