KSU
MANHATTAN — Kansas State University's McCain Performance Series presents the Vienna Boys Choir at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, at First United Methodist Church in Manhattan on Poyntz Avenue.
The Vienna Boys Choir is one of the world's most famous and oldest choirs. Boys have sung at Vienna's Imperial Chapel since at least 1296. In 1498, Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I established a court chapel in Vienna, specifying that boys be included among the singers — thus laying the foundation for the choir.
Today, the former imperial ensemble is a private, non-profit organization with a primary and grammar school serving 330 boys and girls ages six to 19, with a curriculum centered on choral music and singing. The Choir's education, recognized by UNESCO as cultural heritage, is open to all, regardless of origin, gender, nationality or religion.
There are currently 90 active choristers divided into four touring choirs, all performing as the Vienna Boys Choir. Together, they give nearly 300 concerts each year to almost half a million listeners. Since 1924, the choir has completed more than 1,000 tours to 100 countries, performing some 29,000 concerts.
Tickets are available online at mccain.k-state.edu or at the ticket office in the McCain lobby from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays. Tickets are also available by phone at 785-532-6428 during the same hours.