St. Luke's Episcopal Church Choristers

Biography

This choir was organized in Long Beach, California in 1930 by William Ripley Dorr. By 1950, they had appeared in over 90 pictures. After WWII, the Choristers continued to be the most prolific boys choir in movie history. There was also a girl's division of St. Luke's Choir. The Choristers recorded four albums for Capitol Records, including the first album ever made by a boys choir: "Christmas Carols by the St. Luke's Choristers", "Seasonal Hymns by the Saint Luke's Choristers" and "Familiar Hymns by the Saint Luke's Choristers" featuring: soprano soloist: Philip Haynes and . They also performed weekly at St. Luke's Episcopal Church and nearly 400 concerts and broadcasts from 1930 to 1950. The illustrious St. Luke's Quartet comprised Marilyn Horne, Gloria Horne, Philip Haynes, and Bob James. Academy Award winner George Chakiris was also a Chorister. They often collaborated with Bronislau Kaper, the famed MGM musical director, on The Cheaters (1945) (featuring Philip Haynes-soloist), The Bells of St. Mary's (1945), and Sundown. They appeared in Boys Town (1938), Men of Boys Town (1941), Mrs. Miniver (1942), Since You Went Away (1944), Mrs. Parkington (1944), The Corn Is Green (1945), A Christmas Carol, The Firefly (1937), The Prince and the Pauper (1937), A Tale of Two Cities (1935), A Midsummer Night's Dream (1935), Romeo and Juliet (1936), Marie Antoinette (1938), The Story of Alexander Graham Bell (1939), and so many more. The boys were carefully selected for their voices, natural musical ability, and good character, appearance and general desirability from a long waiting list. They were carefully trained to sing with light, pure tone. A large counter tenor section of older boys singing alto made it possible for the Choristers to sing in four parts with proper balance. They were know for having a large repertory including music from Gregorian Chant in Latin to traditional music in American, Russian, French, Italian, German, and Welsh. In "The Corn is Green" featuring Bette Davis they sang coal mining songs in the original Welsh. All members over 13 were SAG members and worked frequently both on camera and on soundtracks. Back in the days of silent pictures, Mr. Dorr's choirboys were in demand for their fine appearance and excellent conduct. The St. Luke's Choristers were not available for popular music or for pictures of questionable moral background.