Once a Vienna boy, always a Vienna boy

After four years with the Vienna Boys’ Choir, fourteen-year-old Mark is saying goodbye to the Haydn Choir, his fellow choristers, Kapellmeister Jimmy Chang and the people who have been an important part of his musical life.

At a farewell ceremony at the Augartenpalais, Artistic Director Gerald Wirth presented the boys completing their time with the choir with a traditional Vienna Boys’ Choir cap, a personal note and a commemorative watch.

For Mark, saying goodbye is an emotional moment.

“I have mixed feelings. On the one hand, I’m sad to be leaving people who have become very important to me. On the other hand, I’m incredibly happy and grateful that for four years I was part of this musical family and one of the most famous choirs in the world.”

The four years with the Vienna Boys’ Choir have shaped Mark not only as a singer, but also as a young musician.

“This has been one of the most beautiful periods of my life and I will always remember it with pride and happiness. The Vienna Boys’ Choir has had a great influence on my musical development and on me growing up.”

Mark especially thanks his Kapellmeister Jimmy Chang.

“I learned so much from Jimmy Chang. He is an excellent conductor and also a wonderful teacher. I would also like to thank my music teacher Manuel Huber, who always supported me and was there when I had questions about composing my own songs.”

Perhaps the most valuable part of these four years is something that does not end with Mark’s final performance: the friendships.

“I believe I will remain friends with my fellow choristers for the rest of my life. We spent four years together, lived together and travelled around the world. I feel very fortunate to have friends from so many different countries.”

And Mark is already thinking about the possibility of making music with some of them again.

“One day, I would love for us to do a music project together. I already have an idea.”

He has also seen how strongly former members of the Vienna Boys’ Choir remain connected long after their years in the choir are over.

“They stay in touch, support each other and work together on different projects. I hope it will be the same for us.”

At the farewell, the choir’s Artistic Director Gerald Wirth said something Mark will remember for a long time:

“Once a Vienna Boy, always a Vienna Boy.”

For Mark, those words mean that although this chapter is ending, his connection with the Vienna Boys’ Choir remains.

“It makes me happy to know that the door will always be open to me. I will carry that sentence with pride, and it also gives me confidence for the next chapter of my musical journey.”

Mark’s four years with the Vienna Boys’ Choir have also left their mark on his own music. Travelling around the world with the choir inspired him to write “I’ll Show You the World”, a song for which he wrote both the music and lyrics.

The song was later performed by the Vienna Boys’ Choir in concert – a very special moment for Mark as a young songwriter and a fitting connection between his years with the choir and the musical path ahead of him.