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 $650 for the full year or $325 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 J. McDonald brings 24 years of teaching experience and a broad and diverse musical background to his position as the Conductor of the H+H Young Men’s Chorus. Currently, McDonald is in his 14th year as Director of Choral Activities at Wellesley High School, where he instructs 320 students in choral music in five curricular choral ensembles. Under his direction, ensembles consistently earn gold ratings at state choral festivals and have performed in the Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association gold medal showcase Stars at Symphony Hall and the Massachusetts Association of Jazz Educators gold medal Showcase at the Boston Hatch Shell. McDonald is an active guest conductor and has conducted honor choirs throughout New England and Idaho. 2017-2018 conducting appointments include The Western European Honor Choir in Düsseldorf, Germany and the New Hampshire All State Jazz Choir. McDonald frequently presents sessions at state and regional conferences on topics such as Y Sing: Recruitment and Retention of Men in the Choral Program, American Song: How Jazz Choir Can Enhance the School Choral Program, and Using Descriptive Terminology in the Choral Rehearsal. McDonald is the Director of Youth Music at the Wellesley Congregational Church, where he conducts over 60 singers in the Youth Choirs and leads the Village Brass Ensemble. Dr. McDonald is a recipient of the NAfME Professional Achievement Award for dedication to music education and the Springfield Chamber of Commerce teaching excellence Award. He received his B.M. in music education from the University of New Hampshire, M.M. in Low Brass Performance from the University of Idaho, and his DMA in Music Education 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!