Central Minnesota Boys Choir Members of the 2009-10 Central Minnesota Boys Choir include: front row, from left, Noah Han and Coleman Klimek; second row, from left, Reid Busker, Brian Sterriker, Zach DeMars, Henry Fitzsimmons, Max Giza and Zach Carlson; third row, from left, Evan Holm, Chad Anderson, Mason Rychner, Matthew Greenwaldt, Ben Wickman, Draven Lane, Andrew Israelson, Josh Marquart and Noah Champion; fourth row, from left, Zackory Morales, Nick Palmer, Cade Bestland, James Palmer, Zach Strickland, Jordan Haglin, Stephen Plopper and Connor Schmitz. Jacob Maloney, Dominick Simon and Timothy Wickman were unavailable for the photo. (Submitted photo) This year marks the 10th anniversary for the Central Minnesota Boys Choir of Staples.

The choir was first founded in the fall of 2000, with artistic director Mary Moen and accompanist Debra Haraldson, who continue working with the choir today. Boys who initially sang in the first choir are now in their second year of college.

In the past ten years, boys have come from over a dozen communities. Currently the choir has students from Staples, Motley, Verndale, Wadena and Brainerd. Boys audition in the spring of their third grade year and can then join, starting in the fourth grade. They remain in the choir depending on their voice development.

The Central Minnesota Boys Choir's mission is to provide an opportunity for young boys to participate in a group that is challenging, enriching and rewarding, as well as to provide an opportunity to socialize with others who share the same musical values.

It is the goal of the choir to develop musical interest, leadership skills and talent among boys in Central Minnesota. The group also provides a positive and challenging opportunity of high artistic quality.

The choir practices weekly throughout the school year and has programs at churches, nursing homes and other special occasions and/or concerts. The choir typically joins other boys' choirs to rehearse and perform throughout the year.

This year, the choir tentatively plans to perform at the Brainerd Church of the Nazarene, participate in the Empty Stocking 2009 fund drive and perform in Elk River. A spring tour has been scheduled to Duluth.

"In the spring we will invite past choir members to sing with us for our home concert," Moen added.

The Central Minnesota Boys Choir has earned a reputation for excellence and artistry. The group has performed at the Upper Mid-West District Convention of the Associated Male Choruses of America, has appeared at Orchestra Hall with the Metropolitan Boys Choir and performed at the Minnesota Music Educator's Association Mid-Winter Clinic in Minneapolis. Previously, the choir has toured the Twin Cities, Duluth, Bemidji, Grand Rapids, North Dakota and Winnipeg, Canada.

Musical CDs are available from the 2003-04 and 2004-06 seasons and help support the choir financially. For those interested in purchasing a CD or for other community support, please contact Mary Moen at 218-894- 2433 or Sheila Edin at 218-894-5181.