REGISTRATION FOR THE 2024 YPC NATIONAL STUDIO AND LAB OPENS DECEMBER 1ST

Over the last 30 years, the Young People’s Chorus of New York City (YPC), founded by Francisco J. Núñez, has become a source of inspiration for many other choruses across the United States and around the world, and has received numerous requests for guidance, training, and assistance to develop choruses similar to YPC. In 2019, YPC National was born in response to those requests in the form of a residency program consisting of two arms: the Studio for choral professionals and the Lab for choristers. Now in partnership with the Music Academy (of the West), the Studio and Lab run concurrently and are designed to build a strong choral community based on the core values of YPC: artistic excellence, diversity, and education. The 2024 YPC National Residency will be July 22-29 in Santa Barbara, CA.

The Studio is a professional development intensive for choral conductors, directors, and teachers to participate in workshops, clinics, masterclasses, symposia led by the YPC artistic staff, as well as guest faculty-in-residence, including master teacher and pedagogue Doreen Rao and composer Yuka Honda. Over the course of the week, Studio members will attend sessions including, but not limited to, score study, conducting and rehearsal technique, movement, vocal pedagogy, repertoire selection, observation, discussion surrounding 21st century trends in choral music and education, learn about the mission, vision, and values of YPC, as well as participate in other various activities and outings. By working closely with the YPC team, artists- and composers-in-residence, Studio members will gain valuable insights and perspectives to improve upon their own work in choral music. In addition to a new network of colleagues from all over the country, Studio members will go home with an inspired vision and/or reinvigorated passion for their school or community choral music program.

The Lab is for students and choristers from various backgrounds around the country to sing in a national ensemble called Concinamus (from the Latin verb concino: to celebrate in song, to agree, to sing together). By participating in daily rehearsals and team building activities, as well as serving as the choir for the Studio members for conducting masterclasses, choristers will gain understanding, appreciation and mutual respect for cultures and identities that enrich the communities where they live. Moreover, children learn to recognize the value of everyone’s voice.

The week will culminate in a performance where Concinamus and the Studio members perform together in concert, and will feature a world premiere of a piece co-commissioned by YPC and the Music Academy by the 2024 composer-in-residence. Afterwhich, all YPC National Studio staff and participants will enjoy a sunset dinner cruise to celebrate a successful residency!

Including the core values on which it was built, YPC National fosters a community of support and collaboration regardless of one’s level of experience or skill, and, at present, does not require participants to audition.

Build, connect, and shine with us this summer! For more information, visit the YPCNational.org, then register to participate on December 1st!