The Arts Association in Newton County will present a concert by the world renowned Vienna Boys Choir at 8 p.m. Feb. 2 at Porter Hall on the campus of Newton High School.

"The first part of the concert is supposed be a choral concert and the second half is a bit of musical theater with a few vignettes," said Buncie Lanners, executive director of the arts association.

The Vienna Boys Choir is one of the oldest boys' choirs as it was founded in 1498 under the instructions of Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I when he moved his court from Innsbruck to Vienna.

The choir sang only for the imperial court, at mass, at private concerts and functions and on state occasions until 1918.

Approximately 250 boys and girls attend The Choir School in Vienna, which provides a general elementary education.

When boys reach age 10, the most talented are selected to join the choir and assigned to one of the four touring choirs.

About 100 members between the ages of 10 and 14 give nearly 300 concerts each year to audiences around the world which total almost 500,000.

Each group tours for nine to 11 weeks during the school year.

The choir also continues to sing in the Sunday mass at Vienna's Imperial Chapel in collaboration with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and the Vienna State Opera Chorus.

Choristers sing a variety of music from medieval to contemporary selections as well as children's operas and world music.

The choir has contributed to numerous film sound tracks and recorded with pop stars such as Celine Dion, Madonna and Robbie Williams.

Co-sponsors for the concert are The James Hyde Porter Trust, Rob and Jean Fowler, First Nation Bank and Laney, Boteler & Killenger.