Canceled Czechs bounce in Morristown

The Bonifantes Czech Boys Choir at the Presbyterian Church in Morristown. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
The Bonifantes Czech Boys Choir at the Presbyterian Church in Morristown. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
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But really, it’s true!

The Presbyterian Church in Morristown was expecting the 36-member Bonifantes Czech Boys Choir on Friday.

But when the ensemble’s accommodations in New York were canceled for Thursday, church members in Greater Morristown scrambled to take in the boys for an extra night.

Young singer with Jan Misek, director of the Bonifantes Czech Boys Choir, and Matt Webb, music director of the Presbyterian Church of Morristown. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Young singer with Jan Misek, director of the Bonifantes Czech Boys Choir, and Matt Webb, music director of the Presbyterian Church of Morristown. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

Parishioners were rewarded with an eclectic program on Friday evening that featured everything from Dvorak and Cesar Franck to Benjamin Britten, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Irving Berlin and African American spirituals.

The singers, who hail from the city of Pardubice (population: about 100,000), range from ages 9 to 20.

“They are like older and younger brothers. They help each other,” said choir Director Jan Misek, who teaches them in a private arts school back home.

Their goodwill should come as no surprise; Bonifantes translates to “Good Boys.”

The choir is about halfway through a five-week, 40-concert North American tour that started in Canada and is winding down the eastern seaboard of the U.S.

Niagara Falls, Boston and the Manhattan skyline have been highlights so far, said Jan.

For Debbie and Rick McComber, who had six boy bunking with them, the highlight was a private concert by a polite young lad who asked in halting English if he might play the family piano.

The choir relies largely on donations, and Jan was grateful for the local hospitality. He just had one favor to ask after the concert.

“Would it be possible,” he inquired of church Music Director Matt Webb, “for the boys to do laundry?”

 

The Bonifantes Czech Boys Choir at the Presbyterian Church in Morristown. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
The Bonifantes Czech Boys Choir at the Presbyterian Church in Morristown. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
The 31-singer Bonifantes Czech Boys Choir in Morristown. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
The 31-singer Bonifantes Czech Boys Choir in Morristown. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

 

The Bonifantes Czech Boys Choir at the Presbyterian Church in Morristown. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
The Bonifantes Czech Boys Choir at the Presbyterian Church in Morristown. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
From the Czech Republic to Morristown: The Bonifantes Czech Boys Choir. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
From the Czech Republic to Morristown: The Bonifantes Czech Boys Choir. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

 

 

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