NEW YORK, Dec. 23 (UPI) -- The Boys Choir of Harlem has officially disbanded, it was announced at the New York neighborhood's Metropolitan Community United Methodist Church.
Former member Terrance Wright confirmed the rumors at the place where the renowned choral group last performed in 2007, around the time of the death of Walter J. Turnbull, who established the choir in 1968, The New York Times reported Tuesday.
"Tell the people. Let it be known," Wright said after leading a Dec. 13 Christmas concert by choir alumni at the church. "There is no Boys and Girls Choir of Harlem."
Although it has been about two years since the choir officially performed, no definitive announcement regarding its fate had been made, leaving supporters to hope it would be revived after years of financial woes, the Times said.
Also adding to the group's demise was the conviction of a choir counselor for sexually molesting a 14-year-old boy and the scandal that surrounded the case. Turnbull initially failed to report the child's allegations to authorities when he made them in 2001 and allowed the counselor to continue working with kids.
"There were those who didn't want to declare its end because they were wishing something would show up to make it real again," choir board member Howard Dodson told the Times about why it took so long to officially announce the group had ended. "That was the hope."
The newspaper said former members of the choir have been performing together at various holiday and corporate events, however.
