Minnesota Boychoir

What Minnesota Boychoir does

The Minnesota Boychoir is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit choral education organization founded in 1962 in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and is the oldest boy choir in the Minneapolis/Saint Paul metropolitan area. It provides multi-tiered choral training, performance, and character-development programming for boys and young men ages 6-18 through four sequential ensembles — Cantar (ages 6-9, training), Cantando (ages 9-12, intermediate), Cantabile (ages 9-14, advanced), and Allegro (ages 14-18, post-graduation tenor/bass). It currently serves approximately 148 singers drawn from more than 40 communities across the Twin Cities, with 48 new choirboys expected for the 2025-26 season. Performance activity includes up to 30 concerts per year across the region, annual domestic and international tours (5 continents historically), and recurring collaborations with the Minnesota Orchestra, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Minnesota Opera, Baltimore Symphony, and Prague Philharmonic.

The organization operates with a small core staff of 5 (Executive and Artistic Director, Accompanist, Managing Director, Assistant to the Director, and Development Manager), supported by a 12-member Board of Directors and a 4-member Board of Artistic Advisers. Revenue is generated from seven streams: recurring tuition (ranging $1,056 to $1,896 per season by ensemble level), individual donations at multiple tiers, an annual Sing Into Spring Gala, merchandise (CDs, vinyls, plush mascot), a summer Boychoir Bootcamp ($300), Adult Choir suggested contributions ($75), and a planned-giving program (Voices for Tomorrow). A full or partial scholarship is available to every applying family, with cost explicitly not intended to be a barrier to participation.

Name

Minnesota Boychoir

Legal name

Minnesota Boychoir

Website

https://boychoir.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1962

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Minnesota Boychoir is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1962 that delivers multi-tiered choral education and performance programming to approximately 148 boys and young men ages 6-18 from more than 40 Twin Cities communities, supported by tuition, donations, and an annual gala.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Choral Music Education

NAICS

Fine Arts Schools (61161), Musical Groups and Artists (711130), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Group Music Classes & Ensembles (Band, Orchestra, Choir) (EDAMANAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Music Camps (Band, Choir, Instrument Intensive) (EDAMALAJ), Early Childhood Music Education (Ages 0–7) (EDAMANAD)

Keywords

• Youth choral education
• Boy choir training
• Choral performance programs
• Music education nonprofit
• Vocal training ensembles

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint Paul

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Program Fees: Boys pay comprehensive tuition fees each season that cover staff salaries, music, administrative expenses, choir retreats, photos, and some required clothing. Families purchase uniforms separately.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Individual donations at various levels ($65, $135, $250, $500, $1000, $1520, and other amounts). Monthly sustainer donations available. The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
3. Gala Fundraiser: Annual Sing Into Spring Gala with sponsorship levels (Presenting Sponsor $2,000, Table Sponsor $1,200), ticket sales (Pair $225, Single $125), silent and live auction.
4. Merchandise Sales: Sale of merchandise including vinyl records ($20 each or both for $30), CDs ($10 each), plush toys/Boychoir Bulldog ($10), and shipping fees.
5. Adult Choir Participation: Suggested contribution of $75 per adult choir participant to defray costs and support the general fund.
6. Boychoir Bootcamp: Week-long summer choral camp for boys ages 6-12, with a fee of $300 including camp t-shirt and cookie reception.
7. Planned Giving: Planned giving program including charitable bequests, beneficiary designations on insurance/retirement assets, and gifts of appreciated assets (stocks).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Minnesota Boychoir delivers multi-tiered choral music training and performance programs for boys ages 6-18, organized into four progressive ensembles (Cantar ages 6-9, Cantando ages 9-12, Cantabile ages 9-14, and Allegro ages 14-18). The organization supplements its core ensembles with summer camp programming (Boychoir Bootcamp), an Adult Choir, an alumni singing program (AlumSing), audition services, retail merchandise (CDs, vinyls, plush toys), and an annual fundraising gala. Performances are delivered at schools, churches, concert halls, and on regional and international tours.

Product overview

The Minnesota Boychoir is a nonprofit choral music organization offering a multi-level choir program for boys ages 6-18. The core program consists of four ensembles: Cantar (ages 6-9, training choir), Cantando (ages 9-12, training choir), Cantabile (ages 9-14, advanced performance choir), and Allegro (ages 14-18, post-graduation tenor/bass choir). Supplementary programs include Boychoir Bootcamp (summer program for ages 6-12), Adult Choir (for parents, alumni, and community members), and AlumSing (alumni performance program). The organization also operates a retail store selling recordings (CDs, vinyls) and merchandise, hosts an annual Sing Into Spring Gala fundraiser, offers planned giving through the Voices for Tomorrow program, and provides audition services. Performances include seasonal concerts, school tours, and international tours across five continents. The organization is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1962.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cantar Training choir for boys ages 6-9 focusing on fundamentals of singing including posture, breathing, tone production, and music reading. Rehearses once weekly with 4-6 performances per season. Annual tuition of $1,056 (2024-25) or $1,194 (2025-26).
• Cantando Intermediate training choir for boys ages 9-12 and older Cantar members, emphasizing advanced study of singing fundamentals, music theory, and ensemble performance practice. Rehearses weekly with 6-8 performances per season. Annual tuition of $1,152 (2024-25) or $1,290 (2025-26).
• Cantabile Advanced choir for boys ages 9-14 who have demonstrated high musicianship, leadership, responsibility, discipline, and commitment. Rehearses twice weekly, performs 20-30 events per season, sings in multiple languages and styles, and participates in tours. Annual tuition of $1,640 (2024-25) or $1,896 (2025-26).
• Allegro Post-graduation choir for singers ages 14-18, performing tenor and bass repertoire for changed voices. Members also collaborate with Cantabile to expand repertoire range. Rehearses weekly with 15-20 performances per season. Annual tuition of $1,320 (2024-25) or $1,566 (2025-26).
• Boychoir Bootcamp Week-long summer choral experience for boys ages 6-12 featuring singing, games, music theory lessons, music and movement activities, and a final performance for family and friends. Fee of $300 includes camp t-shirt and cookie reception.
• Adult Choir Choir program for parents, grandparents, alumni, and friends of the Minnesota Boychoir to sing together, with suggested contribution of $75 per season. Over $10,000 raised to date through Adult Choir contributions.
• AlumSing Alumni singing program where former members return each spring to reconnect with the organization and perform with Allegro at spring concerts.
• Recordings Store (CDs and Vinyls) Online store selling compact discs ($10 each) and vinyl records ($20 each or both for $30) of the choir's performances, including albums such as Volume 1 (2019), We Men of Earth (2017), Beautiful December (2017), and many others. 20 compact discs have been released by the Minnesota Boychoir under Mark Johnson's direction.
• Boychoir Bulldog (Snax) Stuffed toy mascot representing the Minnesota Boychoir, available for purchase at $10 plus shipping.
• Sing Into Spring Gala Annual fundraising gala featuring performances by the Minnesota Boychoir, silent and live auction, dinner, and entertainment. Sponsorship levels include Presenting Sponsor ($2,000) and Table Sponsor ($1,200); ticket prices are $225 per pair or $125 single.
• Voices for Tomorrow (Planned Giving) Planned giving program accepting charitable bequests, beneficiary designations on insurance/retirement assets, and gifts of appreciated assets (stocks).
• Audition Services Audition program for boys ages 6 and older, consisting of an interview and tests of singing range, tonal memory, and pitch matching. No preparation required. Held during July and August each year.

Quantifiable outcome

• Boys develop exceptional musical ability and perform at professional venues including the Sydney Opera House, St. Peter's Basilica, and La Sagrada Familia
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Minnesota OrchestracoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing performance collaboration including being selected as one of four choirs to perform Mahler's 8th Symphony for Maestro Osmo Vanska's final concerts in June 2022. Described as the 'boy choir of choice for the Minnesota Orchestra.'
• Saint Paul Chamber OrchestracoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegular performance collaborator
• Minnesota OperacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPerformance collaborator for opera productions
• Baltimore SymphonyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPerformance collaborator
• Prague PhilharmonicminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPerformance collaborator
• VocalEssenceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMary Ann Aufderheide, Managing Director of VocalEssence, serves on the Minnesota Boychoir's Board of Artistic Advisers, creating a collaborative relationship between the two organizations.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Cincinnati Boychoir: Multi-level boy choir program with concert performances and touring. Operates an analogous training-to-advanced ensemble progression and partners with regional orchestras in the same way Minnesota Boychoir does.
• Atlanta Boy Choir: Established US boy choir providing tiered choral training and performance opportunities for boys and young men. Same multi-ensemble structure, non-profit status, and partnership-with-orchestras approach as Minnesota Boychoir.
• Pacific Boychoir Academy: West Coast boy choir school offering multi-level choral education and performance. Comparable in mission, ensemble structure, performance touring, and orchestral collaborations to Minnesota Boychoir.
• Toronto Children's Chorus: Multi-tier children's/youth choir in a major North American metro with performance collaborations and touring. Comparable in multi-level pedagogy, non-profit operation, and touring-focused mission.
• Los Angeles Children's Chorus: Multi-tier youth choral organization delivering sequential training and concert-level ensembles. While co-ed, the program structure, age progression, concert calendar, and donor-supported non-profit model closely mirror Minnesota Boychoir.
• Indianapolis Children's Choir: Tiered youth choral training program with concert and touring engagements. Comparable in non-profit structure, ensemble progression, and community-recitalized performance demand.
• San Francisco Boys Chorus: Multi-tier boy choir organization operating similarly tiered training and performance ensembles for boys. Directly comparable on mission, structure, age cohorts, and choral education model to Minnesota Boychoir.
• Anima — Young Singers of Greater Chicago: Multi-level youth choral program serving a large metropolitan area with tiered ensembles, performance engagements with professional orchestras, and tuition plus donor funding. Operationally analogous to Minnesota Boychoir despite the coed model.

Emerging players

• Cantus: Professional male vocal ensemble based in the Twin Cities performing similar classical repertoire and touring internationally. Comparable on repertoire style, regional arts ecosystem, and touring model — though as a professional rather than youth organization.

Broad incumbents

• National Lutheran Choir: Established adult professional choir that collaborates with the Minnesota Boychoir and serves a similar Twin Cities choral audience. Not a direct competitor but a peer in the regional choral ecosystem and donor base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@mnboychoir/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/MinnesotaBoychoir
• Instagraminstagram.com/mnboychoir/?hl=en
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/minnesota-boychoir

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Minnesota Boychoir