Turn up the volume, Raleigh. There’s a not-so-new choir in town singing some very new music. And if you haven’t heard them lately, it’s a great time to tune in.

The Raleigh Boychoir recently returned from the Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, SC, where they performed the world premiere of “Hope,” composed by choir alumnus Bruce Tippette (www.brucewtippette.com). A beautifully complex and enchanting composition with lyrics from the Emily Dickinson poem of the same name, “Hope” was written on commission for The Raleigh Boychoir. The choir performed the song at its recent spring concert in Raleigh, bringing the audience to their feet for a standing ovation.

According to Robert Unger, artistic director, “The Raleigh Boychoir is a rare jewel in this community.” Carrying on a tradition that started in the Middle Ages, The Raleigh Boychoir is one of around 50 boychoirs in the United States. The choir is made up of boys with unchanged voices who range in age from 7 to 14. These boys sing with a special “golden voice” that is lost forever once their voices change.

Come out to the Durham Bulls baseball game to hear the choir perform the National Anthem on June 14 (Flag Day).

Know a boy who likes to sing? The choir will hold a summer camp June 17 – 21 at the Raleigh Boychoir Center on Ridge Road for boys aged 8 to 12. This camp is a great way to get a sense of what it’s like to sing boychoir music. For more information, visit www.raleighboychoir.org, or call 919.881.9259.