Thank you! Boys singing together, what a concept!!

Thank you! Boys singing together, what a concept!! 

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. 

Ragazzi Alum Jeremy Weinglass Speaks

From Jeremy Weinglass, original Ragazzi member, professional musician with permission to use media from his website as needed: www.jeremyweinglass.com

 "Ragazzi was monumental in giving me the well-rounded music education I was very fortunate to have at such a young age.  The musicianship training, music theory and experience performing in front of people regularly, really complemented my piano studies which I was doing simultaneously at that time.  From age 10, Ragazzi gave us countless opportunities to mature into young adults.  Touring out of the country for the first time to Canada, a 2 week summer camp to Camp Gualala, and multiple appearances singing the National Anthem at Giants' games are just some of the incredible highlighted memories I will cherish forever.  But even after I graduated (due to my voice change), Ragazzi continued to support the development of my music career; specifically as a pianist.  I was thrilled to have my first job with Ragazzi both as a camp counselor at Gualala and as the accompanist for some of the choirs.  By the time I was 15, I was leading the boys in sport activities, playing the piano in rehearsals and I even got to teach my own theory class!  Because of Ragazzi, I was able to accelerate my piano studies at an even greater rate and I believe the experiences I had gave me a significant advantage in becoming a professional pianist and composer.   Looking back, I can't say enough about how Ragazzi influenced me in my development as a musician as well as a human being.  Ragazzi got me started doing everything that I still love doing today.  That is playing music, performing, teaching, creating, singing, traveling, working with children and continuing to share music my with the world! "

Ragazzi 25 years of Boys who Love to Sing

I am moved by the stories I am hearing from our graduates as to how Ragazzi has impacted their lives. I have always loved music and specifically singing and I wanted to share this musical joy with boys because when I was teaching high school, I found it so hard to recruit male singers. I have learned that putting the boys together, alone, without girls makes it safe for them to explore their voices and their emotions. Beyond that, through Ragazzi, in addition to their musical achievements, they have created life-long friendships and developed other skills like  discipline, focus. We just had to build it, they have come by the hundreds.

Here is a testimonial from one alum. From Patrick Wong, to the Ragazzi Family: 

My name is Patrick "Pawkit DJ" Wong.  I was an active participant and member in Ragazzi for about 4-5 years (1997-2002); a picture of me is even still on the website in the "about" section!  To this day, I am so honored and proud to have been a part of such a gifted and talented group of individuals.  The extensive musical training and education we received still proves useful to me even today!

 In addition to singing with Ragazzi, during my adolescent years I also studied the violin, piano, clarinet, and saxophone.  Having paid tens of thousands of dollars for over a decade of private lessons in all these instruments, I can still say with full conviction that none of it compared to the amount of musical knowledge and wisdom Ragazzi  Boys Chorus provided for me.

 Today, I am currently a full-time college student by day, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in audio production and music recording, and a seasoned DJ and music producer by night.  I started DJing in May of 2011, and so far have achieved unimaginable degrees of success on a multitude of levels in just under two years of solid dedication and commitment to the craft.  For example, as of this moment as I'm typing this, my online SoundCloud profile has generated a whopping total of 17,875 plays/listens!  (soundcloud.com/PawkitDJ) I am just now testing the waters with music production (starting with mashups) and the classical training I received in Ragazzi over a decade ago still pertains and is extraordinarily relevant in helping me to create musically sound pieces and compositions.  For example, my most recent release was a "duet" I created combining Britney Spears (pop singer) and Skrillex (dubstep).  I was so proud to see that it exceeded 200 plays/listens on the very first day I uploaded it!  In addition, I have been and am currently the resident DJ at a local venue in the South Bay Area called Britannia Arms Cupertino where I play live every Thursday night from 10pm-1:30am.

 One thing I am thankful for is how much Ragazzi truly enhanced my ears and gave me the gift of trained performance listening, which I need to accomplish my daily tasks as a music producer.  It is critical that I am always on high alert for any unmatched pitches or chords that clash, which are frequent obstructions that occur when trying to be creative.  Fortunately, with my experienced musical ear, I am able to extinguish these problems quickly.  Also, it is absolutely necessary that I pay close attention to all major and minor chords and the key signatures of each track that I choose to work with.  For example, if I am working with a track in A-flat minor, then I would need to compose a countermelody in the same key or, using the circle of fifths, harmonize with something in E flat minor or even B Major.  Fortunately, there is now computer software that can help supplement and aid in speeding up this process.  But as we all know, technology and shortcuts aren't always perfect and can never match or replace real life experience.

 Overall, I am so grateful for all of the hard work and dedication from all of the staff and parents at Ragazzi, especially Joyce Keil.  If it weren't for all of you, I probably would not have attained such high success so early on in this competitive industry.  Even though it's been so long and I was so young, I will always remember my experience at Ragazzi as my personal blessing as I continue to pursue this passion and chase my dream.  Sincerely, Patrick "Pawkit DJ" Wong From Patrick Wong

Sincerely,

Patrick "Pawkit DJ" Wong

http://www.soundcloud.com/PawkitDJ

http://www.facebook.com/PawkitDJ

pawkitdeejay@gmail.com