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Formed in 1927, the Basel Boys Choir (Knabenkantorei Basel, KKB) celebrated 75 years of singing history in 2002. The choir, formerly the Choir of the Swiss Evangelical Reformed Church of Basel, has now no denominational ties, singing both without and with instrumental accompaniment (orchestra and solo instrument). Its repertoire of religious and secular music ranges from Renaissance to contemporary.
Recent years have seen performances of the following works: The Magnificat by C.Ph.Bach; St. Matthew's Passion, St. John's Passion and The Christmas Oratorio by J.S. Bach; The St. Nicolas Cantata by B. Britten; The Messiah by G.F. Handel; The Requiem, The Coronation Mass by W.A. Mozart, the St. Mark's Passion by C.Ph.E. Bach and Elias by Mendelssohn.
The KKB organizes its own concert programs, sings in concert with other choirs and accepts invitations for guest performances in and outside Switzerland: Maastricht (The Netherlands), St. Petersburg (Russia), New York, Seton Hall, Philadelphia (U.S.A), Hungary, Germany, Finland and Estonia. In spring 1998 the choir flew for its 70th anniversary to a successful concert-tour to South Africa. In 1999 the boys traveled to the Czech Republic, one year later they gave concerts in Berlin, Potsdam and Poznan. In summer 2002 the choir gave unforgettable concerts during a long and very successful Jubilee-trip through Brazil.
The choir sings regularly in religious services and at secular events as well as in operas and special productions. CD-Recording, Radio and TV broadcasts in and outside Switzerland are also part and parcel of the choir's activities. The KKB is also the host choir of the EJCF.
Since 1983, the choir is conducted by Beat Raaflaub.