Brooks Grantier, who led the Boychoir around the world, to retire in June Search underway for next music director

The Music Center announces Brooks Grantier’s retirement as Music Director of Battle Creek Boychoir. During his 30 years with the Boychoir, the last 21 as Music Director, the group has performed in nine countries and 24 states, earning critical acclaim and several awards.

Mr. Grantier has provided more than 600 boys, ages 8 to 14, with life-changing learning opportunities typically found only in the largest cities. Boychoir alumni have gone on to notable success in music and a wide range of other professional careers.

Mr. Grantier will continue with the choir through June, including a week-long performance tour in northern Michigan. A national search is underway to fill a new joint position directing both the Battle Creek Boychoir and liturgical music at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Battle Creek.

Beginning his choral career in the 1970’s as an organist and assistant director with the former Boys Town Choir in Nebraska, Grantier took a similar role with the Boychoir from its founding in 1980 until 1989, when he took over the directorship. His program has trained boys in vocal technique, music theory, and teamwork, following a thousand-year-old tradition begun in the cathedrals of Europe. The boys have sung the finest choral literature and folk songs from around the world, all in their original languages.

Touring highlights include concerts in the Gewandhaus in Leipzig, Germany, and in Westminster Abbey in London, England, as well as performances with the Gunma Symphony Orchestra and the Takasaki Children's Choir in Japan. The Boychoir performed by invitation at the prestigious Spoleto Festival in South Carolina in 1995 and 2001, as well as Canada's Stratford Shakespeare Festival in 2000, 2004 and 2008. In 2000, the Boychoir, along with the Battle Creek Girls Chorus, made the premiere performance and recording of "The Glories of Shakespeare"

by the internationally renowned composer Sir David Willcocks.

Mr. Grantier continues as music director at Trinity Episcopal Church in Marshall, MI, and as a singer in the Music Center's a capella vocal ensemble Ars Voce.