From a very young age, Harry Pfeiffer, a member of the Philadelphia Boys Choir, was on a stage thanks to his grandmother Jean Pfeiffer.
“She had him sing to everybody and [she] sang with him,” Eric Pfeiffer recalled of his son and mom.
Sadly, Jean Pfeiffer passed away in April 2020. But it’s fitting to note that Jean was “a huge Phillies fan and an orchestra fan.”
As a member of the Philadelphia Boys Choir, Harry essentially sings to people “all over the world” and sings at a Philadelphia Phillies game every spring.
Harry thinks of his grandmother as an inspiration as well as his music teacher, Faye Griscom, at Westfield Friends. She had him also perform on stage from Pre-K. He even learned the musical Hamilton by heart and performed the opening number on stage when he was 7.
And with a nudge, Griscom recommended Harry to audition for the Philadelphia Boys Choir when he was in third grade.
“I was pretty nervous auditioning,” Harry recalled, noting the auditions were on Zoom at the time due to the pandemic.
Harry, who sings soprano, was able to enter the choir as an advanced cadet. He auditioned to enter the performing choir the summer between fifth and sixth grade.
“I had to sing 12 songs from memory,” he recalled, noting “Ubi Caritas” was one of the more challenging audition pieces.
The Philadelphia Boys Choir auditions boys from ages 7 to 12. They receive the Choir’s signature tailored red jacket once they become a member.
Philadelphia Boys Choir & Chorale (PBCC) performs regularly across the Greater Philadelphia region. The Choir has also performed at many national and international venues. These include Carnegie Hall, the Sydney Opera House, Good Morning America, and Saturday Night Live. Every year, the Choir has the chance to perform in the “Nutcracker” with the Philadelphia Ballet and in concert with the Philly POPS. PBCC also embarks on an annual tour in the summer. In the past, they’ve gone to Australia, China, Argentina, Egypt, South Africa, Spain, and many other countries, according to the Choir’s website.
This summer, the Choir is expected to travel to India. Harry said during the trips they usually stay with families, which enhances their experiences around the world.
Last month, Harry, as a member of the Choir, was selected and performed in the ensemble as the Philadelphia Orchestra presented the popular classic cantata Carmina Burana from March 15-17 at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia.
Palmyra Interim Superintendent Mark Pease announced Harry’s achievement in a press release.
Harry, who is a seventh grader at Palmyra Middle School, found himself juggling rehearsals with the Choir and his role in the ensemble with the Palmyra Players production of Mamma Mia!
Along with theater, he is also involved in soccer, track and student council.
In August, Harry will be traveling with the Philadelphia Boys Choir and Philadelphia Orchestra to perform Carmina Burana in Saratoga, N.Y.
