We share news of important changes at Boston Children’s Chorus. As you will read in the letter below from BCC's newly-elected Co-Chairs, Linda Wondrack and Claudia Mathis, Anthony Trecek-King, BCC President and Artistic Director will be moving on from BCC at the end of January 2020.

In their letter, copied below, Linda and Claudia explain our plan to preserve the continuity of service for all BCC students and their families, including new artistic leadership and interim executive leadership. There will be no disruption of service and programs will proceed with all planned services uninterrupted.

We are immensely grateful to Anthony for the dedication, passion, and artistic leadership he has provided BCC for 13 years. He will be greatly missed. A letter from Anthony also follows, below.

We are enthusiastic about the next chapter of BCC as we continue the work of harnessing the power of music to connect our city's diverse communities, cultivate empathy, and inspire social inquiry. We will have further updates for our community in the coming weeks and months. In the meantime, should you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

See an updated letter from November 22, 2019! 

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A Letter from BCC Co-Chairs, Claudia Mathis and Linda Wondrack

Dear Boston Children’s Chorus Family,

We are writing today to let you, our close friends and colleagues, know of important changes taking place at Boston Children’s Chorus in the next year.

It is with a mix of sadness and gratitude that the BCC Board of Directors announces the departure of Anthony Trecek-King, effective January 31, 2020.

Since 2006 Anthony has played a critical role in the development and success of the organization. Under Anthony’s leadership, BCC toured 11 countries, including performances for the King of Jordan, at Royal Albert Hall in London, and the Sydney Opera House. It produced four recordings; received numerous awards, including the Margaret Hillis Award in Choral Excellence and the Brazeal Wayne Dennard Award for its commitment to diversity, inclusiveness, and furthering African American choral musicians (both from Chorus America); and staged collaborations or performed at premier institutions locally and nationally, including the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Tanglewood, Boston ICA, Carnegie Hall, and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

The chorus that began in 2003 with 20 singers and one choir has grown under Anthony’s leadership to 427 singers and 13 choirs. On behalf of the BCC Board of Directors, we wish to thank Anthony sincerely for his years of passionate and dedicated service to BCC and our community.

Effective February 1, artistic and educational leadership will transfer to a team of three current senior team members at BCC:

• Irene Idicheria, Chief Program Officer, will oversee artistic and educational planning, including season planning
• Robbie Jacobs, Director of Artistic Programming, will assume leadership of the Premier Choir
• Trey Pratt, Manager of Educational Programming, will assume leadership of the Young Men’s Ensemble

The search for a permanent Executive Director has commenced. In the interim period, Brett Egan and his team from the DeVos Institute of Arts Management will work with the talented administrative team at BCC to ensure continuity of service and operations, as well as to implement important aspects of the organization’s 2019-2024 Strategic Plan. We can all look forward to a seamless experience for BCC’s students and their families, with no disruption to the 2020 performance or class schedule.

Additionally, we — Claudia Mathis and Linda Wondrack — have been elected by the BCC Board of Directors to succeed Allan Kiser as co-Chairs. We are immensely grateful to Allan for his visionary leadership, are pleased he will continue to serve on the BCC Board and are honored by this opportunity to team with this talented Board and staff to continue BCC’s remarkable forward trajectory.

A letter from Anthony follows.

We join together in thanking you all in advance for your support and collaboration during this important period of growth for BCC.

In mission,

Claudia Mathis and Linda Wondrack

Co-Chairs

Boston Children’s Chorus

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A Letter from Anthony Trecek-King

Dear Singers, Families, and Friends:

Just over 13 years ago, I moved across the country to join the Boston Children’s Chorus. My tenure here has been a valuable time of learning, collaboration, and growth, and only in my wildest dreams did I think the journey would be so satisfying. I am profoundly grateful for your continued support, as your commitment to the organization has been vital to our success. It is therefore with a mix of emotions that I share with you that I will be moving on from BCC after our MLK Concert in January.

This departure and transition will be difficult for me, as BCC has been my home. My heart will ache for the time spent with the singers each week. Rehearsals were the highlight of my day, as I watched hundreds of singers grow up. During our time together, we explored music and culture, grew to know and care for each other, and shared tears of joy and sorrow. You have taught me so much about life, and I have gained far more than I am leaving behind.

I have a deep admiration for these extraordinary young artists, and I am proud of what we have accomplished. Together we brought to life an idea, a vision of exploring the intersection between music and social justice, and we built a practice where there was none. Programs around the world now look to BCC as a model of inspiring artistry and equity. Your commitment to each other and to our mission has given me strength.

The BCC community has been like family to me, and it has been a privilege to work with you all. I am sad to say goodbye to the talented staff who made working at BCC so rewarding. I am grateful for the faith and support of the dedicated families. I am especially thankful for those, too many to mention here, who provided me with unyielding support throughout this journey. In short, it was an honor to have been able to lead this wonderful organization.

While our time together is running short, I remain committed to the continued work of using music to create a better world. I have faith that you will join me in making these next few concerts very special. While I am sad about the present, I am excited to see what lies ahead. In the meantime, I will continue to do what I can to support the singers and families, and will always be in your corner.  Thank you again for your support and love.

Sincerely,

Anthony Trecek-King

P.S. Time to go and find a few more beans!