A vocal concert is planned for Vicksburg and two male groups are set to perform.

At 3 p.m. Sunday, the Metro Male Chorus, along with the Mississippi Boychoir, will be performing at First Baptist Church on Cherry Street.

This is the second year the two choral ensembles have shared the concert stage in Vicksburg.

The groups’ program will include a variety of musical selections from rhythmic settings of Psalm 100 sung in Latin to Glee Club favorites from the “changed and unchanged voices.”

The Metro Male Chorus is under the direction of Dr. D.  Royce Boyer and the group was founded in 2013.

This is the 23rd season of the Mississippi Boychoir, which is currently under the direction of Vicksburg resident and longtime music educator Nancy Robertson.

And in addition to Robertson, there are 14 members of the boychoir that are Vicksburg residents. Twenty-two of the boys are from the Jackson area.

Robertson said the Vicksburg and Jackson groups hold weekly practices independently, but both come together one Saturday each month.

As the director of the boychoir, Robertson said that there is never a dull moment.

“Boys are always looking for the fun side of things and directing the Mississippi Boychoir is like tapping into an electric unending source and very tangible energy,” she said.

Sunday’s concert by the choral ensembles is free, but donations will be accepted and will benefit the boychoir by providing scholarship assistant for students with financial needs.

“Our scholarship program is called Embracing EVERY Singer because that’s exactly what we want to do. We are committed to welcoming every boy who has an interest in singing, regardless of his family’s ability to afford the cost of tuition,” Robertson said.

Many of the older members of the boychoir, Robertson said, will also serve as mentors to those younger. The men’s choir also inspires she said.

“The boys are amazed when they hear the Metro Male Chorus sing. I think it gives them great insight as to what they will sound like when they get a little older, and I know that all of them will sing in choirs for the rest of their lives,” Robertson said.

Boychoir Board President, Ezra Wall is a testament to boychoir members continuing with their vocal talents as well as members of the Metro Male Chorus.

“Several of the men from the Metro Male Chorus sang in children’s choirs earlier in life,” Robertson said, and Wall participated in a boychoir before he joined the Metro Male Choir Group.

Participating in a boychoir, Robertson said can be an asset for the future.

“It is abundantly obvious that these boys will be the leaders of tomorrow,” she said.