In 1968, Dr. Walter Turnbull advertised the choir's first rehearsal in the church bulletin, and 20 boys came to the basement of Ephesus Church. From that small church choir, The Boys Choir of Harlem grew to what it is today — a world-renowned performing arts and educational institution with 550 students enrolled.

Boys ages 8 to 18 in grades 4 through 12 and girls ages 12 to 18 in grades 7 through 12 participate in the organization, which is dedicated to providing students with a broad-based education as it prepares them for productive adulthood. The Boys Choir of Harlem offers an internationally recognized holistic year-round program that addresses the social, educational and developmental needs of high-risk, inner-city students.

The 35 to 40 boys who appear in the boys' Performing Choir are selected for their academic performance, attendance and progress at rehearsals as well as vocal quality. All the students at the Choir Academy of Harlem take daily classes that include music history, theory, voice and an instrument.

BCH makes three or four tours and performs at an average of 100 engagements in 24 states each year. It has taken nine European tours and visited places such as London's Cathedral of St. Paul and Royal Albert Hall, Paris' St. Germain-des-Pres and Amsterdam's Concertgebouw. The choir has also performed in Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore.

The BCH has been involved in the celebration of some significant milestones. It has participated in the United Nations' 50th anniversary concert at Avery Fisher Hall with New York Philharmonic under the baton of Kurt Masur, the Statue of Liberty's centennial, Nelson Mandela's first visit to the United States, the quincentenary of Columbus' arrival, Pope John Paul II's sunrise mass in Central Park and the 1993 presidential inauguration. It also performed in Pavarotti in Concert, which was taped before a live audience of a half-million and broadcast into more than 30 million American homes and 48 countries worldwide. The choir has recorded a pop album, BCH — Up In Harlem.

African-American spirituals and gospel, jazz, pop and hip-hop songs are choreographed to enhance the group's stage presence. If you've never seen the Boys Choir of Harlem perform, the Christmas show will be a treat. Don't miss the chance to see a national treasure at its best.