Minnesota ensemble visits Kings Island before World Choir Games competition

MASON, Ohio - Vincent VanHatten climbed out of a roller coaster car Monday at Kings Island and grinned from ear-to-ear.

"It was pretty cool," the Minnesota youngster from Maple Grove proclaimed.

VanHatten spent the day at the Mason amusement park with the members of the North Star Boys' Choir.  They were getting in a little fun before competing in week two of the World Choir Games in Cincinnati.

"I think it's just a nice way to relax before the games -- before it gets serious," said Lain Kortemeier.

The North Star Boys' Choir is in the middle of a 21-day tour, which has included stops in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and Columbus.

The ensemble competed in the 2008 World Choir Games in Graz, Austria, and won silver medals in the Sacred Music and Children's Choir categories. This year, it's competing in Barbershop and Children's Choir.

"I like to call this boy choir meets barbershop because I don't know of any boy choir in the world that does barbershop," said Artistic Director Francis Stockwell.  "We are unique."

The competition performance will feature the boys dressed in red vests, ties, garters, hats and canes.

There's no lack of confidence in the young men.

"I think we're the best there is -- the best boys choir there is out there," said Jonah Schmitz. "Others may disagree, but I think we're the best and we're coming to Cincinnati to prove that."

Stockwell said the group rehearses on Saturdays from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. and the boys receive individual vocal coaching each Tuesday night.

Now, the fun is over, but the work remains. All that's left for Stockwell is to make sure the boys' voices are as strong as possible.

"It's hard to contain the excitement and not shout or scream on the roller coasters because they need their voices tomorrow -- very much so," he said.