Special Interview with Stuart Goldblatt

Sal Goldblatt and his father, Stuart

Long-time NABGC supporter Stuart Goldblatt has moved to California, but he maintains his ties to the choir because he appreciates the work it does.

"It is easy for small groups to get lost among the mega-charities," Goldblatt observes, "but leaders such as James Backmon serve particular communities that really need our support."

Goldblatt is impressed with Backmon’s “passionate commitment to giving children structure and the ability to have confidence doing something artistic rather than, or in addition to, athletics.” He likes the choir’s commitment to traditional music rather than the newest thing.

“The new comes from the old,” says Goldblatt, and the choir reminds its young members of that. He even likes the way the choir dresses traditionally rather than in something hip. And, Goldblatt says, he always appreciates the commitment of the choir members’ parents to their success.

When he was orchestrating the National Father’s Day Council for Save the Children, Goldblatt engaged the NABGC to sing the national anthem at their annual banquet. Like the director, he was a member of the Unitarian Church of All Souls, and his son Salvatore attended its religious education program. One summer, Sal organized a course for the choir on Rap Music as Poetry.

Today, Sal teaches non-verbal students in Los Angeles. And father and son are happy that the NABGC keeps performing.