Besides the great church choirs that launched superstars in the gospel and soul traditions, including Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston, many of those red-jacketed lads in the Philadelphia Boys Choir haven’t done too badly.

Celebrating its 50^th anniversary this year, this Philadelphia institution has evolved into an elite Emmy-winning and Grammy-nominated choir. A number of alumni have gone on to big things in the entertainment industry, and they’re not doing your cookie-cutter, “Now-I’m-singing-in-a-grown-men’s-choir” thing.

Here’s a short list of graduates:

• Shawn Stockman – Boyz II Men singer/judge on the TV show The Sing-Off
• Benj Pasek – Academy Award (La La Land) and Tony Award (Dear Evan Hansen) winning songwriter/composer
• Dave Lieberman – Food Network host (Good Deal with Dave Lieberman) and New York Times bestselling author
• Ukee Washington – KYW-TV news anchor
• James A. Pierce III – Hollywood actor/Broadway performer
• Justin Hopkins – Opera singer (Bass)
• Lawrence Zazzo – Opera singer (Countertenor)
• Teddy Pendergrass (R&B singer)
• Joe Bonsall (Oakridge Boys)

Television appearances include Good Morning America, Saturday Night Live and the Today Show. Six years ago, its sister organization, the Philadelphia Girls Choir, was founded.

So if you know a kid who loves to sing, think beyond the garage band. The Philadelphia Boys Choir will cap off their golden anniversary year with a concert at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia’s Verizon Hall. Think of the proud parents sitting in the audience, and consider the choir.

Tickets for the June 24 concert are available at KimmelCenter.Org.

For more information on the Philadelphia Boys Choir & Chorale, email info@phillyboyschoir.org or call 215-222-3500