Nine members of the 19-member Notre Dame Boys Choir from Vacaville have a special summer memory as the result of a trip to England, performing in cathedrals for international audiences.

The students from Notre Dame School in Vacaville were chosen as one of eight U.S. choirs to perform at the International Children’s Choir Festival in Canterbury and London July 26-Aug. 5.

Started more than a year ago by Jodie Kienzler, music director at St. Joseph Parish in Vacaville, the 19-member boys choir includes students in second through eighth grades who perform in the English boys choir tradition.

Kienzler said that audiences listening to the soprano vocalists enjoy a unique experience.

“The strength in their voices has an almost ethereal quality,” she said, “and when the voices are combined it’s a thrilling experience.”

Kienzler formed the choir just months after her arrival at St. Joseph in 2001 to begin her work as the parish’s music director. An accomplished musician who earned a doctorate in voice from the University of Illinois, Kienzler left her job teaching music at Wesleyan University in Illinois to direct music ministries at St. Joseph.

She said having taught many college students majoring in education she had developed a passion for bringing a love for music to children in elementary school.

“Someone had to go into the early (education) classroom bringing a focus for kids to be in love with every style of music,” she said. She added that when Father Vincent O’Reilly, pastor of St. Joseph, called to discuss the music director position, she realized he too “had a heart for music.”

Kienzler was born into a family of musicians: her father directed the church choir, her mother sang in the choir, her brother played the guitar and she played the organ.

“In our family the fun you had was fun the family made making music,” said Kienzler, who knew she wanted to be a music teacher from the time she entered third grade and was playing the organ by the age of 12.

Her inspiration to form the Notre Dame Boys Choir came from her own previous experience singing cathedral music in European specialty tours.

“The great music of the church is heard in boys choirs everywhere in EuropeÖwhere they train kids the way they should be trained,” she said. “I thought about how great it would be if boys (in this country) could also grab hold of what music can do in their lives.”

The boys choir was selected by classroom auditions. Since the choir’s formation the students have performed at several events in Solano County, including the Vacaville Young Performers’ Revue, and at the first annual Summer Music Jubilee the choir sponsored in May.

Cathie Schmitgal’s son Daniel, a fifth grader at Notre Dame, is a member of the choir. She said it has been an affirming experience for her son.

“(Kienzler) is such a wonderful teacher. She gets the children so enthusiastic about music,” said Schmitgal, who has seen a visible change in the poise and confidence of choir members.

The choir sings a variety of styles of music, from classical and patriotic to liturgical music, once a month during the 9 a.m. Sunday Mass at St. Joseph Church.

Karen Dietrich, principal of Notre Dame School, said that the choir is an opportunity for the boys to showcase their talent and become good will ambassadors for their school.

“They love performing and really see themselves as something special,” she said. “They are unique to our diocese and really have brought great recognition to the school.”

She said that recognition kicked up a notch when news spread that the choir was invited to sing at the International Children’s Choir Festival.

Cathy Reed, whose son Steven was among the nine choir members who went on the tour, said that performing with choirs from around the world in England was an experience none of the boys would soon forget.

“The tour is an opportunity to meet new people, see beautiful cathedrals and talk to other boys about their music experience,” she said.

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