San Francisco Girls Chorus, Boys Chorus to sing at Obama inauguration
By Bruce Bellingham


Both the San Francisco Girls Chorus and the Boys Chorus, who enjoy a reputation as two of the top choral groups in the country, have been invited by Senator Dianne Feinstein to perform at President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 20. It seems the kids have accepted the invitation – all 86 of them.

Money has been raised to cover the trip expenses, and the arrangements have been made. One of the benefactors of the Girls Chorus is San Francisco philanthropist Maurice Kanbar.
“Obviously this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the girls,” says Kanbar. “They’re excited, and I’m delighted for them.”

Both groups have attained world-class status and have picked up Grammy awards along the way.
The artistic director of the Boys Chorus is Ian Robertson. Susan McMane is his counterpart at the Girls Chorus. They’re in harmony about the importance of the choruses performing at the inauguration by issuing a joint statement. “It places the arts at their rightful place at the epicenter of American civic and cultural life.”