Ranking the Greatest Miami & Yeshiva Boys Choir Opening Performances

In this video, I'm ranking the opening  performances from the concert DVDs of   the Miami Boys Choir and the Yeshiva Boys  Choir. The opening number is one of the   most important parts of a show. It has to  grab the audience's attention immediately   and set the tone for everything  that follows. To keep things fair,   each opening will receive a score across seven  categories for a total possible score of 50. One thing I won't be scoring is vocals. Across  these DVDs, some performances are clearly live   while others are dubbed with studio recordings.  Since that isn't consistent, it wouldn't be a   fair comparison. So, this ranking focuses  purely on the performance and presentation. There's nothing wrong with a simple opening. I  actually like when choirs go back to basics and   just stand in formation. But compared  to what we'll see later in this list,   this just doesn't have the ambition to  compete. It's the only performance here   I've given a one for originality. There's  very little movement, very little staging,   and overall it just feels quite static. That said,  the boys look great and the soloists are strong. Given how recent the Torah Today album release  was, I've always felt those songs could have   had more representation in this show,  which makes this opener feel like a bit   of a missed opportunity. It's still a solid  performance, just not a standout opener. Straight away, this is more  visually interesting than number 20. There's choreography, movement, multiple solos,   and much more expression across the choir.  I know this production is quite divisive,   but there's no denying that it brings  more energy and variety to the stage. The song itself is catchy and it does a  decent job of introducing the show. That said,   it still doesn't quite reach the level  of the stronger openers higher up. My main issue here is that the opening doesn't  actually feel like a choir opener. For the   first three and a half minutes, it's sung by  adult soloists. And while that moment when   the choir finally comes in is strong, it's  just not enough of the performance overall. Another big drawback is the lack of  choreography. For a choir like YBC   known for sharp and complex routines, this feels  very underwhelming. Just occasional clapping,   which is why it scores so low in  choreography difficulty. There   are some positives. It's visually a bit  more creative than the previous entries,   including fulfilling music video sections between  the live clips. And Aron Kogan's solo stands out. You can already feel the comments  coming for this one. Visually,   it's very simple. The main appeal here  is the alumni themselves. And to be fair,   that nostalgia factor does carry a lot  of weight. The arrangement is excellent, and hearing such an iconic song  performed by past members makes   this a really enjoyable moment. Where it falls  short is minimal choreography, basic staging,   and limited visual interest. But they make  up for that with pure stage presence. You   can tell how much they're enjoying being  up there, and that really comes across.   It's not the most impressive opener,  but it's definitely a special one. Here we have our second Miami  Forever era performance. I do   think it was a shame that this cohort of  kids didn't get their own standalone DVD. David does a great job with the opening solo.  Dor works well as an opener. Visually though it   feels a bit flat. The screen backdrop and bright  lighting don't add much and the overall stage   production is fairly basic. I like that we get a  lot of soloists and Mark Rosenstock has a great   section here during the song bridge which gives  the performance a bit of variety not just visually   but also in regards to dynamics and tempo.  Certainly the most interesting we've seen so far We're going back 25 years here. Opening with  a young Yitzy Spinner solo is a bold choice,   and it works. That alone gives it a strong  opening impact. The staging is simple but   effective. The smoke and colored  backdrop create a nice atmosphere,   even without choreography This is still  very much a traditional choir style opener,   but it includes multiple sections and  soloists, which keeps it engaging. Not the most exciting performance on  the list, but it does its job well. This is the first proper live opener we see  from YBC. Even though the DVD technically   starts with a music video, there's a slightly  shaky start. You can see some nerves and even   a small formation mixup, but once it gets going,  it settles nicely. The soloists are excellent. The live band adds a lot. The  stage is big and well lit,   and the rock style arrangement gives  it a strong opening feel. It's not the   cleanest or most polished performance,  but it's solid and sets the tone well. This is a well-known and well-liked song and  musically it absolutely works as an opener. The issue here is more with the staging than the  song itself. Visually, it feels quite static.   Choir stays in two rows for most of  the performance and there isn't much   movement or variation to keep things  engaging on stage. There are plenty of   solos which helps keep things interesting  and Richie really stands out with strong   stage presence. He uses the stage well and  brings energy that lifts the performance. But overall, it takes a bit of time to feel  like it fully gets going as a performance.   Even though the song itself is strong from  the start, choreography is fairly limited   and can look slightly messy in places. And  the plain suits don't add much visually   either. It does finish strongly, especially  with Yerachmiel Begun coming on stage in the   final pose. But compared to other openings,  it just doesn't have the same visual impact. This is where things start to get more  unique. Instead of a live performance,   this is essentially a full music video  filmed in Jerusalem, which definitely   boosts its originality. Visually, it looks  great. Different locations, strong styling,   but because it's not a live stage performance,  it doesn't have the same impact as others. The slower tempo also makes it feel less energetic  as an opener. It's also hard to ignore that many   of the soloist shown on screen don't actually  match the voices of the soloist singing the song. Of course, this would only irk true Miami  super fans. Still, it's creative and memorable. This is one of the most iconic  choreography routines in Miami history.   The choreography is sharp, recognizable,  and performed in perfect sync. Even now,   it's still used whenever the  song is performed. However,   the majority of the song is sung in static choir  formation. The costumes are definitely bold,   maybe even a bit absurd, but they're  visually memorable, which works in its favor. Strong soloists, great stage presence,  and a solid overall performance, but it   can feel slightly repetitive and doesn't  fully evolve as the song goes on. To me,   this performance has always felt like a finale  rather than an opener. Still, it's a fantastic   performance and definitely a big step up  from what we've seen so far in this listing. Right from the start, the entrance  makes an impact. The choir bursts   onto the stage with energy, and it  immediately feels like the beginning   of a big show. The choreography  is eye-catching and well-designed.   While they do return to a more fixed  formation for parts of the song,   the movements themselves are sharp and memorable,  and it keeps the performance visually engaging. Staging also helps a lot here. The lighting  is dynamic and the large screen behind the   stage adds another layer that makes everything  feel bigger and more polished. Isaac is a great   choice for the opening solo. He brings  confidence and presence straight away,   which is exactly what you want from an opener. The green sparkly vests look  great. This is a really solid,   well-rounded opener that does  exactly what it needs to do. This is a really polished and well  executed opener. The choreography is   one of the standout elements here. It's  incredibly tight and the entire choir   moves in perfect unison. You can really  see the level of rehearsal that's gone   into this performance. What makes it even  more interesting is the mashup concept.   Combining M'leim and Sh'moy Shel Melech adds  variety and increases the overall choreography   difficulty as they perform the iconic dance  routines from both within the same performance. Bringing back past soloist  Tani Martin to reprise his   original solo is a great touch and  adds a strong sense of nostalgia. Visually, the stage looks  great. The lighting, live band,   and overall atmosphere all contribute to a  performance that feels big and energetic.   All the kids on stage look thrilled to be up  there and are performing enthusiastically.   The one thing that holds it back slightly is  that it leans heavily on previously performed   material. For an opener, it might have been  even stronger to showcase something newer,   considering the rest of the show was mashups,  too. That said, this is still a very complete   performance. Strong choreography, strong  staging, and great overall execution. This is a really fun and engaging  opener. One of the first things   that stands out is how it mixes live  performance with pre-recorded clips.   That combination keeps the visuals constantly  changing and makes it really enjoyable to watch. It's also the only opener on this list that uses  props with each of the boys holding tambourines,   and that adds an extra layer of originality  and movement to the choreography. Speaking   of choreography, it's very strong here. The  timing is tight, the movements are clean,   and the whole choir looks completely in sync.  The song itself works really well as an opener,   too. It has that fast, energetic feel,  but also includes softer sections,   which gives the performance some nice contrast  and keeps it from feeling one-dimensional. The stage setup adds to the atmosphere as  well. The darker lighting gives it a more   dramatic feel and the live band behind them  helps build that full concert energy. You also   get a lot of crowd reaction shots throughout  which really adds to the sense that this is   a big exciting moment. Overall, this is a  dynamic and well-rounded opener that does   exactly what you want. It grabs attention and  keeps things interesting from start to finish. This is one of the most original openings on the  entire list. It starts with the boys singing from   within the audience, which is a really creative  way to open the show before transitioning to a   single soloist on stage under a spotlight.  That moment is simple but really effective.   Songs have originality, little bounce, special  energy. That's what it takes for it to last. See   the magic spreading fast. The stage production  also stands out. The use of lighting and the   tiered steps at the back of the stage give  the performance a lot more depth visually   and make it feel more like a full production.  Choreography is strong and clearly well rehearsed,   although it can look slightly messy in places.  Even so, there's a lot going on and it keeps the   performance engaging throughout. This is also the  Miami Experience era where the kids really knew   how to perform and that confidence comes across  clearly on stage. We're here tonight to share the   gift of song. will fill this hall with music. For  me, Shiru Lo as a song choice is a great opener,   but I personally don't stream the song often. For  me, the one drawback is that the performance loses   a bit of momentum towards the end. The opening  section is excellent, but it can feel slightly   repetitive as it goes on. That said, this is  undeniably one of the most well thought out and   creative openers we've seen yet, and definitely  one of the more memorable ones on the list. This performance is all about energy and that  factor is ultimately what gives Leibedik the   edge over Shiru Lo. From the moment it starts,  it's at 100% and it stays there the entire time. It's fast, it's upbeat, and it never really  lets up, which makes it consistently engaging   to watch. The choreography is a huge strength  here. It's not just ambitious, it's executed   almost perfectly. This is easily some of the  cleanest choreography we see in the entire list,   and it really shows how well rehearsed this  era of the choir was. Where this performance   loses points is on the visual side. The  stage production feels quite minimal,   especially compared to some of the  earlier Miami eras, and the costumes,   the green waist coats under suits are fine,  but not particularly memorable. Coming right   after the Mi Lashem Ailai era, which also  leaned into simpler styling, it does make   this feel a bit underwhelming visually. But in  terms of performance quality, this is top tier. The soloists are excellent. The  energy never drops and it gives   you a really strong sense of what the  rest of the show is going to be like. This is where Miami really steps things up in  terms of production. The stage looks fantastic.   The set design, lighting, and especially the  raised steps all add a lot of depth and make   the performance feel big and dynamic. The choir  makes great use of the space, constantly changing   levels and formations. The choreography is one of  the biggest strengths here. It's very ambitious   with lots of movement and multiple sections, and  it keeps the performance engaging the whole way   through. It's not quite as perfectly clean  as some of the others on this list, but the   slight messiness or the movements makes it quite  endearing to watch and makes it feel more alive. The costumes are also a highlight. The alternating  metallic red and silver shirts from the Yavo   era are really eye-catching and help give  the performance a strong visual identity. There are strong solos throughout as  well from the opening all the way to   the final section which keeps things varied  and interesting. If there's one drawback is   that the song can feel slightly repetitive in  places as an opener. But overall, this is a   really impressive high energy performance  with excellent staging and choreography. For a performance from 1992, this  is genuinely incredible. This is   a perfect example of what made Miami  so special at its peak. Strong solos,   memorable choreography, and a performance  that just feels iconic from start to finish. The opening behind the curtain is brilliant.  It immediately creates anticipation and when   the choir comes in, it really feels like the  start of something big. The choreography is   both ambitious and extremely well executed.  Even while moving around the stage, the choir   maintains formation the entire time, which is  seriously impressive. Stark is a standout here,   a natural performer who brings a lot of  confidence and presence to the stage. Goldwe   is more reserved, but vocally excellent, and  the contrast between the two works really well. The staging might be simpler compared  to more modern performances, but it's   used very effectively and everything  comes together in a way that still   holds up today. This is one of the most  iconic openings Miami has ever done. This is peak Yeshiva boy choir.  Everything about this performance   just works. The choreography is  incredibly tight. The entire choir   moves in perfect unison and the level of  precision here is honestly hard to beat. The soloist lineup is stacked and  every one of them brings something   to the performance. The song choice is perfect  for an opener. It has that strong rock energy   that immediately grabs your attention  and even includes a full guitar solo,   which is something you almost  never see in openings like this. What makes this such a great intro is that it  showcases exactly what the choir is capable   of. Strong vocals, sharp choreography,  and high energy from start to finish.   This is a complete performance and one of  the strongest openers on the entire list. This is one of the most complete openers on  the entire list. It starts off in a really   dramatic way with the low lighting in the choir  already in motion and then as the lights come up,   the whole stage just comes to life. It  immediately feels like a big production.   The decision to open with a full dance break is  a great one. It builds anticipation before the   singing even starts and sets the standard for  the level of performance you're about to see. The choreography is strong and well executed.  And what's impressive is how the choir moves   around the stage and still manages to  stay perfectly in formation. The staging   also works really well. Having the band and  adult choir directly behind them adds depth.   And the multiple camera angles keep the  performance visually engaging throughout. There's also a really strong lineup of soloists   here. Yitzy Jacobowitz's solo really  stands out with how powerful it is. The only real drawback is the costume. The  white shirts and striped ties are quite plain,   but the performance more than makes up for that. This is a high energy, well structured  opener that delivers on every level. This might genuinely be the greatest  boys choir opening performance of all   time. Everything about this feels on a  different scale. You've got a massive   soldout venue and from the very start,  the choreography is unbelievably tight. This is a long song with multiple sections and  each one has its own choreography and somehow   every single part is executed perfectly. The  level of precision here is just incredible. Oded is outstanding. Performing  live, he sounds amazing and he has   the stage presence to match. He's not just  singing, he's commanding the performance. What really makes this stand out is how well the  staging allows you to appreciate the choreography.   The simpler costumes with the silver cummerbunds  actually work in its favor against the dark   background. You can clearly see every formation  even in such a huge venue. And those formations   are flawless. Every movement is sharp. Every  transition is clean. It's just on another level.   Yerachmiel's entrance is iconic. The entire choir  turning and pointing upwards in perfect unison   is such a powerful visual and he fully holds  his own even joining in with the choreography. Then the ending - sparklers and a huge crowd  reaction. It just feels like a true spectacle.   This is everything you want from an opening  performance. Scale, precision, energy, and impact. For me, this is a perfect 50 out of  50. Do you agree with this ranking?   Let me know in the comments. If  you enjoy this kind of content,   be sure to like this video and subscribe  to the channel. See you next time.