Boy Choirs

Founded in 1980 by Audrey Olson, the Green Bay Boy Choir has grown to include boys in three levels of vocal experience and ability. All choirs are both training and performing units. The music program is based on progressive vocal music instruction and performance readiness. Choir members must be at least seven years old. Admission to the touring choir is by placement auditions. Auditions are held in the spring or by appointment. School music teacher recommendations are welcomed for ages 7-18. Classical music literature forms the foundation for choir instruction. Repertoire includes contemporary, folk, ethnic, sacred, and secular music.

Changes were made during our 2021-22 season. Scroll down for a list of our current boy choirs.

The Marquette Choir is a training choir whose members sing unison music and receive basic music instruction and voice development. An optional tour experience is available.

The Nicolet Choir is an auditioned choir whose members have demonstrated excellence in choral singing and exhibit personal maturity. These are the traditional voices of a boy choir. In this choir the boys receive advanced musical and vocal instruction, such as three-part treble and four-part mixed. Touring is a requirement.

The Joliet Choir is for members with changed voices. These young men perform music written for male ensemble as well as four-part mixed with the unchanged voice Nicolet Choir. Touring is a requirement.

DIRECTORS

HERB BERENDSEN – ACCORDO MIXED CHOIR

Herb has been involved in choral music basically his whole life, in fact, his Mom, Bev, was his first choir director, and he met his wife singing in a church choir! He retired after teaching for 33 years in public schools. He taught in Mission, SD, Neenah, Ripon, and most recently for 18 years at Oshkosh West High School.

Herb began directing the Joliet choir of the Green Bay Boy Choir in 2015. Since 2010, he has directed the 60 voice MacDowell Male Chorus of Appleton, WI. He also directs the Titan Men’s Chorus at the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh, and is director of the Oshkosh Chamber Singers, a 60 voice mixed ensemble.

Herb is a proud member of the National Association for Music Education as well as the American Choral Directors Association. Through his involvement in these organizations, he has had the opportunity to work with some of the top conductors in the world. Herb is co-chair of the NextDirection project, a national vocal music leadership conference for high school and college students. Herb is also an active accompanist, clinician, and voice coach.

MARK PEOT - NICOLET BOY CHOIR


ELIZABETH CHAVEZ- VOYAGEURS MIXED CHOIR

Elizabeth Chavez just completed her seventh season as a director for the Marquette Training Boy Choir. Before Ms.Chavez joined the boy choir as a director, she served as a clinician at the Green Bay Girl Choir Summer Camps, leading the 4th grade girls in small group sectionals. New this year, she serves as an office support staff member in the area of Technology and Communications Manager.

Ms. Chavez was an elementary music teacher in the Green Bay Area Public Schools at Eisenhower Elementary School for six years. At Eisenhower, Ms. Chavez taught general music to kindergarten through fifth grade students, served as a PTO staff liaison, member of the Diversity Committee, leader of an after-school drumming club, and was an active member of the school’s Technology Team.

Elizabeth is now a Technology Integrator for the Green Bay Area Public Schools. She travels to various schools within the district to guide staff and students at each building in how to utilize technology in the classroom for teaching and learning purposes.

Ms. Chavez earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Music with an emphasis in choral and general music from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. In January 2018 Elizabeth completed her Master’s Degree in Educational Technology through the University of Marian Online, Fond du Lac, WI. She is an active presenter at various technology conferences within the Northeast Wisconsin region, is a certified SMART Exemplary Educator (SEE) and SMART Teacher Trainer in using SMART technologies, and a Certified BrainPOP Educator.

AUDREY OLSON – FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR EMERITUS

ACCOMPANISTS

Annie Schneider-Voyageurs

Annie Schneider is very excited to be back with the choirs this year having previously accompanied the

Nicolet and Joliet Boy Choirs. She is a graduate of UWGB, a former preschool administrator, K-12

substitute, and maintains a private piano studio with students ranging in age from preschool through

adult. Mrs. Schneider has directed Children’s Choirs, Girls’ Choir, and Men’s Ensembles at Bethel Baptist

Church where she serves as a pianist and vocalist. Mrs. Schneider enjoys accompanying choir concerts,

musicals, and solo-ensemble events at schools in and around the Green Bay area.


Emily Sculliuffo-Accordo, Nicolet