Choral conductor makes noteworthy changes in children's lives

Date: September 5, 2012

By Cindy Atoji Keene

BOSTON -- Conductor Anthony Trecek-King never intended to study music, let alone become the director of a children’s choir. Born into an Air Force family from the South, he had wanted to be an engineer since he was 10 years old. When he received a scholarship to study music, he considered it a temporary detour. But a few weeks into classes, he was called into the office of the music department chair, who asked him, “Have you ever seen anyone like you on the podium conducting?” Trecek-King, who is African American, said “no,” and after this conversation, an idea was planted, which grew into a passion. “That day set me on the path to becoming a conductor,” said Trecek-King.

Today Trecek-King, 36, is the artistic director of the Boston Children’s Chorus, an innovative arts education organization that uses music as a catalyst for social change as it unites children ages 7-18 across diverse socioeconomic, racial and religious backgrounds. The chorus, which began with a handful of children in a pilot training program, serves nearly 500 singers in 12 choirs in five Boston locations. “I’m sharing my love for music with a new generation of musicians. Music changed my life – why not provide that opportunity for other people?” said Trecek-King, who said that underserved, low-income youth often need help finding their voices, not just on the stage, but also in their lives.

More: http://www.boston.com/jobs/news/jobdoc/2012/09/cho...