Sing with the Alumni Choir!
Alumni Spotlight: Alexis
Alexis Martinez Mejia ’18
Alums of the SJBC do great things in the world! We chatted with one of them, Alexis Martinez Mejia, about the SJBC, his upcoming graduation from St. John’s, and how he gives back to the program as a member of our Student Staff.
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Tell us about yourself! What years were you in the SJBC?
Hello! My name is Luis Alexis Martinez Mejia. I am currently a senior at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University. I am a double major in Psychology and Hispanic Studies. I’m also an Honors Student while being involved in Chamber Choir and International Leadership Fellowship. I sang in the SJBC from 2013-2018.
Do you remember why you chose to audition?
I auditioned to be a part of the boys’ choir because I wanted a place where I could express myself musically. Since I was young, I always wanted to sing. I remember my music teacher
giving me a handout to audition for the choir and I begged my mom for days to let me audition. The boys’ choir was a place where I was able to challenge myself musically. I started reading music, sight singing, and challenging myself with other instruments like piano. It was the beginning of my choir journey, something that I would continue from age 10 to 21.
What are a few of the lessons you learned as a choirboy that you’re excited about teaching the next generation?
As a student staff member, one of my favorite lessons to teach the next generation of choirboys is appreciation towards others. My time in the boys’ choir showed me that everyone comes from different backgrounds and that no matter our differences, we are able to come together to show our musical talents. It was a way to make friends with other people who I would have never been able to encounter on my own. Another one of my favorite lessons is “I am not cute, I am professional.” It showed responsibility from a young age that allowed me to know that no matter how old I was, I could do something for others. These are two of my favorite lessons that continue to shape who I am today and who I will be in the workforce.
What’s an experience you had while in the SJBC that you’ll remember for years to come?
One of my favorite experiences in the SJBC was singing at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. This concert was one of my favorites as it was also one of my last with SJBC. Specifically, what had made this concert so special was being able to connect with the audience and choir as a whole. Most of the people who were at the concert had traveled to see the Cathedral from all over the world. Never again would I be able to sing for those same people with the same set of songs. It was an eye opening moment that showed that I had truly appreciated my whole time with the choir and that singing was something that I could do for the rest of my life.
Tell us about the places you visited on tour, and why you think it’s valuable for the SJBC to tour.
Some of the places that I visited while on tour included South Dakota, Washington D.C., Ireland, Oregon, Spain, and France. These tours were the first time that I had left the state of Minnesota in all my life. The one that stuck with me the most was the Spain and France trip. I was able to practice the Spanish that I had learned at home. The trip opened my eyes to a whole new culture that I had fallen in love with thanks to the SJBC. I loved Spain so much that I decided to study abroad there last year. These trips were important because it allowed me to see that music is a way to connect with people no matter the language, background, or place. A quote that has stuck with me since the SJBC is that “Music is a universal language.” No matter the language, everyone understands the beauty, sorrow, and joy that music provides everyone. SJBC tours help the choirboys connect with the world and allow them to see what else is out there.
You’ve been involved with the SJBC as a choirboy and now as a member of the staff; how do you plan on staying involved after you graduate from SJU?
I plan on staying involved with the SJBC by attending Christmas concerts and alumni meetings. The boys’ choir has one of the best Christmas concerts that I look forward to every year. It has become a tradition in my family to always go and listen. My brother and I do it as our tradition as well since school is often a lot of work and there is barely any time to see each other. The Christmas concert is a way we get to appreciate singing with each other and connecting to those we graduated with.
What are you most looking forward to in your final season on the SJBC staff?
In my final season with the SJBC, I look forward to seeing how much the students have grown. My favorite part about working with the SJBC has been the boys – they always seem to know how to make me laugh and are good sports when playing dodgeball. I truly believe that seeing them grow up has been what I look forward to every year. Since this is my last year I am specifically looking forward to seeing what music they will continue to make in the future.
The SJBC is in its 44th season; what is your hope for the SJBC in the next 44 years?
My hope for the SJBC is to continue its tradition of providing music education for young singers in Central Minnesota.
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Check out our 2023-24 Alumni Feature: Levi Patton ’20
We caught up with Levi Patton ’20, about the SJBC and his studies as an astrophysics major at Concordia College.
What years were you in the SJBC?
I was in the SJBC from 2013 to 2020.
Do you remember why you chose to audition?
When I was young, sports were not where my interest was, but rather, it was music that always caught my attention. Although this was the case, I still wanted to be a part of something greater than myself, something that team sports offered. Because of this, I was attracted by the SJBC, combining my love for both a family and music.
What was the most significant performance experience during your time in the SJBC?
Performing at Carnegie Hall was the most significant experience I had ever had with the SJBC. Knowing that so many musicians and artists consider Carnegie Hall to be of the highest prestige, I felt incredibly blessed to be given such an opportunity.
What was the most significant touring experience during your time in the SJBC?
By far, the most significant touring experience I have had with the SJBC was when the Concert Choir toured Spain and France. Although singing in giant cathedrals such as Notre Dame and La Sagrada Familia was a phenomenal encounter, the greatest moments came from experiencing the rich culture that was all around us.
Tell us about what you’re up to today and how skills learned in the SJBC help you to be successful.
Music theory skills that I learned in the SJBC are applied in my life every day because I am a classical composition minor at Concordia College, Moorhead. Learning music theory at such a young age has allowed me to understand, feel, and love music so much more than I otherwise would. As a result, I have learned how to replicate and produce new classical works. My biggest compositional accomplishment so far has been my forty-five minute piano concerto.
In your own words, how does the SJBC contribute to the character development of young singers?
It is important to understand that not every child gets this opportunity to sing with such an extraordinary choir. Knowing this, as a singer you must have a sense of humbleness. What the choir does for its singers and the community matters, but we understand that without the support of the people we love (our families and friends), the SJBC couldn’t exist. Because of this, the SJBC instills a strong sense of humbleness and gratitude in its singers.
Is music still a significant part of your life? If so, how?
Absolutely. Singing in a Concordia Choir while also minoring in composition, music is incredibly significant. Music is one of the things I live for. Without it, I would not be who I am.
The SJBC is in its 43rd season; what is your hope for the SJBC in the next 43 years?
There is nothing more I would love to see than a growth in the amount of interest in the SJBC. Not only could it become more impactful as an organization, but it would also allow the SJBC to share the music we love with more of our community and the world!
Alumni Testimonials
“Being a part of the St. John’s Boys’ Choir was an extremely rewarding and life-changing experience for me at such a young age. It taught me
to appreciate music, work hard, collaborate as a group for a common goal and balance all that life has to offer. My favorite memories were Christmas at Saint John’s, staying with host families during tours, singing the national anthem at a Kansas City Royals game, and touring the East coast. I stay connected with many SJBC alumni and staff in various professional and personal roles and feel honored to still give back to the choir in various ways.”
Phone
(320) 363-2558
Address
Boys’ Choir Dept. Box 8850
2746 Sexton Drive
Collegeville, MN 56321
United States Of America