Music as a new home – a leap of faith for peace in Ukraine

Three young boys and three completely different destinies. But they all have one thing in common: the escape from the terrible Russian war of aggression against their homeland Ukraine. When the “Krone” met Arsenii (13), Grygory (14) and Georgii (13) at the Palais Augarten for a chat, they were rehearsing with Professor Gerald Wirth at the piano. They are unmistakable with their blue sailor suit, which has been the official choir dress since 1924.

Social commitment in the boys’ choir DNA
Just days after the war broke out, the boys’ choir has been collecting donations for Ukrainian children at their own benefit concert for “Neighbours in Need”. Although your own existence is threatened by Corona. No one knew then that they would soon have three new choir members. Arsenii and Georgii had already fled to Austria. The escape of 14-year-old Grygory from Lviv turned out to be a particularly eventful one. Via Poland we went first to Germany and then to France. He only joined the Boys’ Choir at the end of April. But why go to Vienna for the boys’ choir?

The three musically talented and experienced boys heard from the world famous boys’ choir in their old homeland. After all, the “Vienna Boys” are known from Berlin to Beijing. The dramatic events in Ukraine then changed everything in the short lives of the three boys. But here with the world famous choirboys completely different, namely quiet tones are struck. Ironically, two Russian classmates have helped the smart trio through everyday school life so far, which of course was still a bit difficult due to the language barrier.

Gerald Wirth, chairman and artistic director of the Vienna Boys’ Choir, is very proud of the newest addition. “There was no doubt for us that we would record Arsenii, Georgii and Grygory – all three are good young musicians. We’re glad they’re here – and proud of them. They are ours.”

They all miss their father and friends very much
When the conversation turns to the house they’ve left behind, the three young teens go quiet. They all miss their father very much, but also life in the Ukraine, the unanimous tenor of the trio. Arsenii becomes pensive as he talks about his time in Kiev. He sang there at the conservatory. “I don’t think I’ll ever see my classmates and friends again,” he said sadly. Georgii from Odessa is very ambitious and has clear plans for the future. After all, in his younger years he played a number of roles in the Odessa Opera House. “I want to go to the opera here in Vienna again, that is my big goal. Ideally immediately after graduation.” “With the Choir Boys, children are just children, wherever they come from. They have a common home: music,” says Wirth, who was once a choirboy himself.

Today there are about 100 active Viennese boys’ choirs between the ages of nine and fourteen, divided over four concert choirs. Each of these choirs tour for about nine to 11 weeks of the school year. Together the choirs give about 300 performances a year for almost half a million spectators. Arsenii and Georgii were already allowed to sing in the Petra Gorge in Jordan. The Vienna Boys’ Choir travels to almost all countries in Europe, Asia and Australia, South and Central America, the USA and Canada. Always with the Austrian national coat of arms on the uniform and Vienna in the name. An ad value that cannot be quantified. But now it’s time for the well-deserved vacation at the summer camp at Lake Wörthersee, to be fit and rested for the fall and the next concerts.