Dr William Ballard

Wednesday, August 2, Dr. William Ballard, the former Director of the San Francisco Boys Chorus, unexpectedly died at his home in Ashland, Oregon.  He was 84 years old.  "Doc" as he was known to his choristers, their parents and his family and friends had been a powerful force in the Bay Area music scene from the time he took the artistic reins from Madi Bacon shortly after she retired until his departure from the Chorus in 1984.
 
During his decade with the Chorus, Doc extended its reach and reputation - through sheer will at times.  He was a strict taskmaster and demanded as much of himself and his staff as he demanded from his boys.  The musical achievements of the Chorus could be frequently heard on stage at the Opera House and in venues across the world.  Together they toured Australia, China, Japan, and most of the capital cities of Europe.  On one commercial recording "We Hear America Singing" it is still possible to hear the sublime artistic level the boys reached under his tutelage.
 
Of the hundreds of boys who were guided by Doc and his staff over those years, many of them made music an important part of their lives.  Several such as Christopheren Nomura and Kelsey Siegel went on to claim some musical professional territory as their own.
 
The SFBC has been in contact with his family.  His widow Edith, their family and close friends are gathering Monday, at 11:00 a.m. at the Trinity Episcopal Church in Ashland to remember him and to celebrate his life. The SFBC has sent flowers in remembrance of Doc to the Church on behalf of the entire Chorus community.  A memorial in tribute to him is being planned by Edith for San Francisco in the future.                
 
Members of the Board of Directors of the San Francisco Boys Chorus and the entire music and administrative staff offer their deepest sympathy to his family, colleagues and his many friends and former students who will miss him.