A group of young boys performed classic American patriotic songs to songs made popular by American artist and movies on Saturday.

The All-American Boys Chorus played pieces ranging from the “Circle of Life” from the Lion King to “I’ll Be There” by The Jackson 5, to a “Salute to the U.S. Armed Forces.”

Wesley Martin, the artistic director for the All-American Boys, said the music comes from different aspects of American culture.

“We are taking you on an American journey,” Martin said.

The boys performed different pieces, some with a theme of outfits and actions associated with them.

President William Perry said the group is really entertaining.

“It’s really great, upbeat and lively,” Perry said. “And the voices of these boys are great.”

Perry said the theatrical aspect of the boys is entertaining.

“They work together well and the choreography with it is very lively,” Perry said.

An example of this is the boys taking the stage in Hawaiian style shirts and leis to perform a set of summertime themed songs. These songs included “In the Summertime” by Mungo Jerry and a Beach Boys Medley.

Brittany Griffin, a sophomore music major, said she was impressed by the music ability of the boys in the chorus.

“I’m impressed that these little boys have that much concentration,” Griffin said.

Griffin said she liked the different variety in the music.

“When they have high energy and the song has a lot of energy the song brightens up and is really good,” Griffin said.

Perry said the music selection varied and there were many different types of music.

“Some of the songs are from my generation, but I like the blues sets with the “Basin Street Blues,” Perry said.

The group also encouraged the audience to participate and have fun during the concert.

Martin made all the females in the audience honorary boys, then made the entire audience honorary All-American Boys Chorus members to sing along for parts of a few songs.

Martin said the sing- along songs is a favorite of the audience.

“It was a very excited audience,” Martin said. “They got really excited about all the sing-along songs too. I think this is the best sing along audience we’ve ever had.”

Beach balls were also thrown out into the audience during the Beach Boys Medley for audience members to hit around and have fun.

Martin said he thinks the audience enjoys all of the pieces that invite the performance.

“I think they enjoyed all the fun stuff, the humor, the moments where the boys’ characters come out,” Martin said.

The group also added songs that had a story behind them.

Martin said the group was visiting Graceland in Memphis when they stopped in a diner for dinner.

“We walk in and the people in the diner get this look of panic on their faces and they start inhaling their burgers,” Martin said.

He added that as the boys lined up to get their food, without realizing it they started to sing along to “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley, which was playing on the jute box.

The group ended their performance by inviting audience members to stand when their branch of the military was recognized.

Matthew Sanchez, 12, and a member of the All-American Boys Chorus, said he likes to perform “Salute to the Armed Forces.”

“I like it because we are paying tribute to all of members of the Armed Forces,” Sanchez said.

After the program the members of the boys chorus mingled with the audience thanking them for attending and sharing their experiences touring.

Brandon Ko, 13, and a member of the All-American Boys Chorus, said he likes talking with the audience after the show.

“I like it because we get to meet the audience, see what they thought and liked about the performance,” Sanchez said.

Martin said he likes having the boys mingle with the audience after the shows.

“It’s good for the boys, not only to perform, but to meet with the audience afterwards,” Martin said. “And the audience likes that interaction with the boys afterwards.”

Samantha McDaniel can be reached at 581-2812 or slmcdaniel@eiu.edu.