Our Director

Julius E. McCullough, Clarinetist, Composer, Conductor, vocalist is a graduate of Norfolk State College, now, Norfolk State University and has continued his study of music at Temple University and Virginia State College. Julius E. McCullough. He is a highly regarded Music Educator, Performer and Music Clinician. He has directed choirs, bands and orchestras in North Carolina, Virginia, Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mr. McCullough was honored to perform as singer with Duke Ellington and his Orchestra in 1974 in the performances of his “Sacred Concerts”

Mr. McCullough is a Board Member of the National Association of Negro Musicians, Inc., the 2nd Assistant Director of the Eastern Region of the National Association of Negro Musicians, Inc, Artistic Director of the Boys Choir of Hampton Roads, Past Director of the Booker T. Washington High School Alumni Choir, Past Board Member of NASPAAM, Assistant Manager of the Valley Forge Music Fair, Devon, PA, a Founding Member of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra’s Advisory Council and President of the Tidewater Area Musicians.

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.