How Do I Join?
Shadow Day
Shadow Day is a recruitment day for boys who are interested in singing. There are no fees or registration required – just a day at our Saturday Rehearsal to see if your son enjoys singing and is interested in joining this outstanding program.
The All-American Boys Chorus is a professional boys choir. Our headquarters are located in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters building. The Chorus is not affiliated with any particular school, religion, race, clubs, or other organizations and boys come from Orange, Riverside, and Los Angeles Counties.
What Will My Son Do Today?
After receiving a name tag, new parents go on a short tour and hear a little about our program. Then your son will join the boys in a vocal warm-up in our very own Rehearsal Hall. He will be paired with a chorus member who will mentor him, show him around and take him from one “period” to the next.
He will participate in three “periods” from 9:40 am to 12:00 pm with all of the other boys. You son will get to participate in Music Reading classes, Sectional Rehearsals, and will have free time to participate in games and enjoying the food! A hot lunch, snacks, and drinks are free for all the boys on their first day!
The last part of their day (12:00 pm – 12:50 pm) will be our Grand Rehearsal where all of the boys will sing together, piecing together everything they’ve been working on throughout the day!
Parents and Families are welcome to stay the entire day to meet other parents and see the program, or they can leave and return for the last hour (12:00pm – 12:50pm) to hear the boys sing. You will not leave unimpressed!
Feel free to help yourself to complimentary coffee and tea, bring your own lunch, or enjoy one of our lunches prepared by our parent volunteers for $3 and drinks for $1 (cash only).
If you have any questions, ask any of our staff members (wearing dark blue shirts) or our alumni (wearing gray shirts).
If you and your son are interested in joining the Chorus, speak with Wesley Martin – our Artistic Director, after the rehearsal to arrange for a simple audition. Your son can start coming to our rehearsals on Saturdays – more information will be given to you at the time of his audition.
Feel free to call us any time to answer questions or arrange for an audition by calling us at (714) 361-3920 or using our contact form below.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Artistic Director auditions each singer individually. The process generally takes less than 20 minutes. Prepared music is not required. The time will be spent singing HAPPY BIRTHDAY and with simple vocal exercises taught during the session. The audition is really about trying to gauge potential rather than determining current ability.
Please click here to schedule an audition. If there are no appointment slots available, please email w.martin@taabc.org to request an audition time.
We typically audition boys from ages 7 to 10, although occasionally an older boy will be considered.
Each boy attends two rehearsals per week; a weekday evening (either Monday or Wednesday – depending on which part your son is placed in; Soprano 1, Soprano 2, Alto 1 or Alto 2) as well as Saturday mornings.
No. Although prior music experience is helpful, boys will have lessons in music theory and receive vocal training.
If he has a sincere interest, encourage him to audition anyway. Some of our most gifted boys were reluctant to audition because they were afraid they weren’t good enough.
Absolutely not! Boys are encouraged to stay actively involved in their other activities including choirs, sports and clubs. We try to be flexible with scheduling and attendance. That being said, there is a commitment required for purposes of sound quality. If your son cannot make a large number of rehearsals, this may not be the right activity for him. We need to be able to work with the boys continuously.
The first three months of the program are seen as a trial period and are tuition-free. After this period, tuition is $1,575 for the year (subject to change).
We have a generous scholarship program. There are full and partial need-based scholarships available to all who qualify.
The All-American Boys Chorus has toured both nationally and internationally for decades. We are one of the most travelled organizations of our kind, performing across Australia, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan. The AABC has performed extensively across the USA as well as many regular appearances in our local region/community. We have enjoyed collaborations with: The Pacific Symphony, The Pacific Chorale, The OC Women’s Chorus, Josh Groban, Pentatonix, Peter Hollens, Vocal Point, and David Benoit – just to name a few.
When a boy has completed his time in the AABC, he has experienced instruction in music literacy and ear training at a standard typically reserved for those at the college level.
The AABC provides its members with diverse and unique performance opportunities covering a rich and varied musical repertoire. Concert tours are undertaken annually which give the boys unique experiences and show them diverse cultures, all the while presenting the boys to audiences across the United States and around the world.
The period of time that a boy is a member of the chorus coincides with the transformation from boyhood to young-manhood. This time of sharing experiences and working together with his peers enables him to develop close friendships which in many cases last well into adulthood.
In an environment that is both challenging and rewarding members of the AABC develop an understanding of the connection between hard work and success. Through the example of staff as well as older, more experienced boys, younger members begin to develop a sense of self-discipline which, over time, becomes a valuable skill that can be applied to other areas of lives.
