The Silicon Valley Boychoir is an educational program for boys ages 6 and up in downtown Palo Alto.

Auditions are by appointment. For more information, call 650-424-1242 or contact Julia Simon.

Mission statement: To train boys in the choral art with an emphasis on music literacy and the highest artistic standards. Boys will learn life-long skills and go forth into the world as skilled tenors and basses and leaders in their future choirs.

The Silicon Valley Boychoir offers boys an opportunity for excellence in vocal training, music literacy, and artistic achievement.

Vocal training: boys will learn proper breathing and singing techniques, development of a healthy pure tone and pure vowels. Boys will increase their singing range and gain confidence by performing a variety of styles (classical, contemporary, folk songs, sacred and secular choral standards).

Music literacy: Boys will learn how to read music using a specific step-by-step approach incorporating music theory and a modified Kodaly method.

Artistic Achievement: With solid vocal training and strong skills as musicians, boys will gain confidence in their artistic achievement, experience the joy of choral singing, and share performances with the community.

Reason:

Research shows the benefits of choral singing (Chorus America's 2009 Chorus Impact Study) leading children to get significantly better grades than their non-choral peers. Parents in the study also reported that their children displayed better memory, good practice and homework habits, and higher levels of creativity. More surprising, teachers reported a noted difference in chorus singers and their behavior in classrooms verses non-choral students.

And why a boychoir? Boys need a safe environment to sing with other boys. Boys joining mixed choirs tend to drop out as the number of girls increases. Boys' treble voices create a distinctive sound that has been loved throughout the centuries. Also, boys go through a unique voice change that needs to be coached and handled sensitively. And most important, boys who love to sing find other boys who love to sing.