25 years ago the only Bay Area boys chorus was located in San Francisco. Getting there from the peninsula was almost impossible, so for many boys there was no opportunity to sing.
Meanwhile, the schools and childrens choruses were having trouble recruiting male singers. What was going on?
I learned that in order to give the gift of singing to boys, they needed to be together and separate from the girls. They form a unique camaraderie and love the freedom to express themselves in song. That is how Ragazzi was born. We exist to help develop the other side of boys' natures, their spiritual, artistic and emotional sides. As Plato said, Gymnastics for the body, music for the mind. In our world today, there is so little opportunity for boys to nurture this side, so we are glad to provide that opportunity.
It is amazing to me that we have grown from seven to 170 in these 25 years, but it shows the power of music to feed the souls of our young males.
Thank you parents for your hours of time driving, setting up events, chaperoning, selling raffle tickets and everything you do to give this gift to our boys. And because we cherish excellence, we work hard and create something that can be shared with a wide and appreciative audience hungry for beauty. We couldn't do it without your presence and your caring.
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