Frequently Asked Questions

Is the choir associated with any school district or church?
No. The Fort Bend Boys Choir is a private, professional, non-profit organization in the State of Texas. Our federal 501 (c)(3) identification number is 76-0038318.

Are donations to your organization tax-deductible? Can potential donors ask for the organization's current financial status?
Yes. All donations are tax-deductible with in-kind donations subject to fair market value. Potential donors can review our most recent IRS Form 990 tax return here.

What sort of training must my son have had?
None. In fact, we prefer to train a boy from scratch. He must like music and want to learn.

What is the purpose of the audition?
The audition is for us to determine his potential ability, not his level of accomplishment. Boys do not "fail" auditions. If we determine symptoms that cause us not to encourage his joining the choir, he will not be made to feel unworthy. Boys have strengths in many areas of their lives.

What should be brought to the audition?
Nothing. Just his enthusiasm and a smile.

What if he is accepted?
He will be placed into one of our three performing ensembles: the Training, Town or Tour Choir. Most boys enter our organization either through the Training or Town Choirs. It is possible, on rare occasions, for a boy to go directly into the Tour Choir.

This must be expensive: training, staff and touring?
Our budget breaks down to an annual expenditure of many thousands of dollars for each boy, but parents do not bear the entire financial burden. The modest tuition amounts to less than 5% of our income.

How are choir expenses covered?
The choir receives professional fees for most appearances. Fund-raising, donations, grants and gifts make up the majority of our annual budget. A boy who is accepted has much more expended for his training and experience than he pays for.

How much time does the choir take?
Depending on which choir your son is placed in, rehearsals run from one and one half hours up to two hours in length. The Training and Town choirs meet once a week. The Tour Choir meets twice weekly.

What about other activities?
While many choirboys manage to schedule other activities around their choir schedule, it is admittedly increasingly difficult as he progresses toward membership in the Tour Choir.

Doesn't this make him less well-rounded?
On the contrary. A successful choirboy develops a security second to none. By being in a quality organization and experiencing success and growth, he profits. His body is developed through posture, correct breathing, and movement skills for stage productions. His mind is sharpened through intense concentration and self-discipline. His spirit is strengthened through service and accomplishment. A Fort Bend Boys Choir boy is special, and he is all boy.

What are the academic requirements?
Most of our boys have above average grades. Our policy states that each boy must maintain an overall average of at least a "C" when all his grades are averaged together. Our experience is that most choirboys' grades actually rise after spending time in our program.

How can his grades come up when he is busier than before?
Most inferior grades are a result of a lack of incentive and poor use of time - not an absence of sufficient time to excel. The choir offers extra incentive and expectation and helps a boy organize his time and responsibilities.

What about discipline? How is so much accomplished?
Our atmosphere is not a permissive one. Rules are clearly stated and actively enforced. Our responsibility and workload is far too great to allow inefficient or irresponsible behavior. At the same time, our rules and projects are child-centered and our atmosphere is a very happy one. We believe that content and productive children are a result of thoughtful and positive discipline and training - rather than permissive lack of commitment.

What about transportation?
Each boy must provide his own transportation to and from rehearsals and concerts. We encourage parents to form carpools from similar schools and neighborhoods. Transportation is provided by charter bus and planes on all tours.

What about summer activities?
The Town and Training Choirs are designed to meet only during the academic year. The Tour Choir takes its annual tour, usually during the first two weeks of June. Also in late July or early August, the Tour Choir attends its Choir Camp for five days of fun, intensive vocal training. In January, a winter retreat is held over a weekend. These well-rounded programs include instructionals and various camp programs offered at a well-equipped site.

How many boys actually make it into the choir?
Our program is not for every boy, and some do not make it into the choir. All boys who pass the audition are admitted - usually up to 60 new boys each year. Only up to 35 boys are chosen for the Tour Choir and they are, admittedly, the "superstars" of the program. However, this does not mean that a boy must set his sights solely on the Tour Choir to have a meaningful and fulfilling experience. The Training and Town Choirs have regular performances in and around the local area. Some boys even prefer this level of involvement to the more demanding and time-consuming Tour Choir program.

How are the Tour Choir boys chosen?
At the end of the school year, usually in the month of May, auditions are held with the existing boys in the Training and Town Choirs. Only the finest voices are selected to move into the Tour Choir. Also, each Tour Choir boy must re-audition to evaluate his voice placement. Movement is also possible after the holiday season.

What about parent involvement?
You are not required to become involved - however, you will find our program much more beneficial the more involved you become. There are numerous activities, events and ways to become involved.

How is the choir staffed?
All members of the staff are Bachelor or Master level educators with a music education background. They are skilled in dealing with the choir's specialized curriculum.

We appreciate this opportunity to help you understand our choir program better, what you should expect from us and what we will expect from you. Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact the choir office at (281) 240-3800 or wra@fbbctx.org.