The Maryland State Boychoir is an internationally touring American boys' choir based in Baltimore, Maryland. It was founded in 1987 by Frank Cimino, and was designated by Maryland Governor William Donald Schaefer as "Maryland's Official Goodwill Ambassadors". The choir is a donor-supported 501(c)3 organization that provides talented boys an opportunity to sing at a professional level while developing their self-esteem, self-discipline, and character. History The Maryland State Boychoir was founded in 1987 by now president Frank Cimino to foster the Boychoir tradition by offering talented boys opportunities to sing and build self-esteem, self-discipline, and character Frank Cimino began his involvement with the Boychoir tradition at an early age, joining as a charter member of The Cathedral of Mary Our Queen’s Choir of Men and Boys in Baltimore, Maryland. His musical training was nurtured during his formative years and he earned a Bachelors of Music from The Johns Hopkins Peabody Conservatory of Music. Inspired by the "Boychoir tradition", Mr. Cimino drew on influences such as The King's College Choir. Founded with only 14 choristers, the choir was run out of an office in his mother's basement for 12 years, the program has since expanded to over 150 choristers ages 7 to 20, who come from a wide range of ethnic, socioeconomic, and religious backgrounds; and includes its own center for the arts. The Maryland State Boychoir Center for the Arts (CFA) was established in 2006 and serves as a permanent rehearsal space for the choir. Located in Baltimore's historic Mayfield community, the former church was designed by architects Buckler and Fenhagen and is a superb example of English Gothic Revival. Constructed in 1929, the church served as the home for St. Matthew United Church of Christ. The choir currently offers space for other arts and nonprofit organizations. The Maryland State Boychoir founded the annual Baltimore Boychoir Festival in 1998. The Festival invites Boychoirs from around the United States and Canada to participate in a weekend of singing under the direction of some of the greatest guest directors in the world. Among the choirs that have participated in this festival are the American Boychoir School, the Newark Boys Chorus, and the Georgia Boy Choir. The choir holds 7 CD recordings, collaborating with various artists and composers. Performing with various ensembles such as the National Symphony Orchestra. They have been featured on NBC’s “Homicide: Life on the Street,” National Public Radio’s “All Things