Our Director

Julius E. McCullough—clarinetist, composer, conductor, and vocalist—is a graduate of Norfolk State College (now Norfolk State University). He continued his musical studies at Temple University and Virginia State College, laying the foundation for a distinguished career in performance, education, and artistic leadership.

A highly regarded music educator, performer, and clinician, Mr. McCullough has directed choirs, bands, and orchestras throughout North Carolina, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. During his tenure in Philadelphia, he founded the award-winning Franklin Center Jazz Ensemble, which toured widely throughout the region, and developed the renowned 89-voice Franklin Learning Center Concert Choir.

In 1974, Mr. McCullough received one of the defining honors of his career when he performed as a singer with Duke Ellington and his Orchestra in Ellington’s celebrated Sacred Concerts.

Mr. McCullough’s leadership extends across numerous national and regional arts organizations. He serves as a Board Member and Vice President of the National Association of Negro Musicians, Inc. (NANM), Eastern Region Director of the Eastern Region of NANM, and Editor-in-Chief of Reverberations, NANM’s national newsletter. He is the Artistic Director of the Boys Choir of Hampton Roads, former Director of the Booker T. Washington High School Alumni Choir, former Board Member of NASPAAM, and former Assistant Manager of the historic Valley Forge Music Fair in Devon, Pennsylvania—the nation’s first theater-in-the-round. He is also a Founding Member of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra Advisory Council and Past President of the Tidewater Area Musicians.

Maestro McCullough is a proud 1963 Charter Member of the Epsilon Zeta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., at Norfolk State University. He is also honored to have shared his life with his late wife, Mrs. Laureese E. McCullough, whose love and partnership remain an enduring source of strength.

Geraldine Boone

Founder, Boys Choir of Hampton Roads

Geraldine T. Boone

Geraldine, the youngest of seven children was born to John and Mattie Hayslett. She attended Norfolk County High School and graduated as Valedictorian of her class. She began playing piano at 12 years old with Mrs. Mary Diamond at the organ at First Baptist Church, Berkley.

Upon winning a four-year scholarship to Virginia State College (University), she earned a B.S. Degree in Vocal Music Education with piano as her performing medium. She later studied Music Theory and received her M.A. Degree in Music Theory from the prestigious Eastman School of Music, Rochester, New York.

Upon graduating from Virginia State College, she became the Music Director of First Baptist, providing Christmas and Easter Cantatas and an annual concert series with such guest conductors as Melvin Lewis, Robert Harris, I. Sherman Green, John Motley, and many other notable musicians.

She taught music in the Norfolk Public School System and retired in 1993 where she taught elementary music and later at Blair Middle School as the Director of Choral Activities. She was the Teacher of the Year (1983 and 1993). After retiring from Norfolk City Public School System, she taught at the Governors School for the Arts, and was the piano accompanist for Norfolk Academy School Chorus.

She retired June 2016 from Norfolk State University where she taught music theory and composition. She served as Chairman of the Music Theory Area and Music Graduate Coordinator.

Mrs. Boone organized the Park Place Boys Choir now known as the Boys Choir of Hampton Roads. Reorganized the Chesapeake Civic Chorus, performed with the Virginia Opera Chorus for 14 seasons. Appointed to the Chesapeake Fine Arts Commission, served as a Virginia Commissioner of the Arts (1998-2003). Past President of Tidewater Area Musicians (TAM), National 1^st Vice President of the National Association of Musicians (NANM).

Awards: Citation for Outstanding Work in Chesapeake Civic Chorus from the Chesapeake City Council: Girl’s Club Inc.; The Attucks Theater honoring women of the community; Musician Extraordinaire Kappa Alpha Psi- Norfolk Chapter; Commitment to Children and Youth Award-Continental Societies Inc. and Women of Covenant Presbyterian Church and many more.

Other professional affiliations include Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), Tidewater Teachers Forum (VTA), and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, Omicron Pi Omega Chapter.

She is the mother of three children, five grandchildren and two great grandchildren.