First Solo

Ryan’s first solo as an 8 Soprano occurred while on tour in Melbourne, Australia.  It was quite special because it was the hometown of Tahnee Pape.  Tahnee was an au pair that lived with us when she was 18 and was like a big sister to Ryan and Sarah.  Tahnee was in a audience this evening to hear Ryan’s had just turned 12.

First Concert

It was Ryan’s first KSB concert – where he would receive his Jacket and become a full member of the concert Chior that we would experience the South African Medley that is so special to KSB.  The choir directors have deep connections with South Africa and the boys tour there every several years to always ensure their are boys in the choir to teach these songs to the new members every year in the same manner they are taught when in South Africa.

Tour – New Zealand

Ryan was selected to be the soloist for the 8 sopranos (4 were on tour).  This is the 4 sopranos performing “Oh Lord God” at a small community concert at a Friends school in New Zeland.  You can hear how the rain storm would stop at the perfect time during the song.

This is a simple example of the 4 sopranos with the Concert Choir while on tour in New Zealand.

Tour Moments

Over the years, Ryan has had the opportunity to sing at some of the most amazing and special venues.  

However,  sometimes the most amazing venues are not planned.  This trip to the top a mountaintop in Tasmania at a height of approx 10k feet we found an observatory.  In traditional fashion, Mr. Fitz decided that the boys should sing and take in the moment.  The second song is the KSB tour hymn and is always special when sung on tour.

Tour – Chile

As we began our KSB tour to Chile one of the first stops was for a large Christmas concert in Antofagosta.  During the rehearsal, the choir director told Ryan that he would be singing the duet with one of the graduate singers.  This was fine with Ryan – but he told the director that although he knew the duet – he had not sung it before.  The choir would rehearse the song 2 or 3 times that afternoon – then Ryan would preform that evening in front of a packed crowd of a few thousand in attendance.

Ryan had just turned 14.

Airports

KSB tours are usually 3 weeks long with multiple trips/flights during the trip.  At each stop it’s common for the boys to sing.  This was started after getting our baggage and Mr. Fisher thought it would be a good time to rehearse “Si vas para Chile”….. it’s always great when the people watching approve and would start to sing with the boys. 

Post Concert Fun

The boys of KSB have a long standing tradition that after most concerts, especially while on tour…. they will sing the South African songs outside the venue with the audience while they leave.  Most often – the audiences chooses to stay and sometimes they even join in.  This is after a concert the boys had in Calama, Chile.  At this time Ryan was one of the few boys on tour that would belt the African chants.  An example is at 0:33 seconds.  

Homestays

At almost every stop on a KSB tour, the boys would live with host families.  These stays would usually be 2 or 3 boys with families that had their own children in the host choir.  At every stop, the boys would always introduce themselves with a song.  This was our stop at Punta Arenas, Chile as the boys performed for the families they would be staying with.

Close to Home

While KSB has offered Ryan the opportunity to perform at some amazing venues over the years – some of the most special are often the simple concerts close to home.  This video is Ryan singing with the Grad choir at a Mens Mission in Philly.  They are singing a muslim song called Zikr – a muslim chant for peace.