What is Our Mission?

Our mission is to provide quality music education that encourages young people’s love and appreciation of choral music and nurtures their individual growth and development. 

To achieve its mission, the New Jersey Youth Chorus:

·        Maintains high expectations and standards of excellence for music training and performance

·        Provides a unique opportunity for musical and personal development in an atmosphere of camaraderie and friendship

·        Encourages good citizenship by making a positive contribution to society through the transformational power of music

.        Reaches out to share its work to benefit the diverse communities it serves.

How many different choral groups are there?

There are four choral groups:

Advanced is for Grades 7 and above. There is no upper age limit for girls. Boys can sing until their voices change. Mrs. Patricia Joyce is the Director of the Advanced Chorus.

Young Men's Ensemble is for Grades 7 - 12, changing and changed voices.  Mr. JD Burnett is the Young Men's Director.

The Intermediate Chorus is for Grades 4, 5, and 6. Mrs. Tara Postigo is the Intermediate Chorus Director.

The Musicianship Class is for Grades 2 and 3 and Ms. Catherine Flynn is the Director.

Why is there an overlap in grade levels?

This is an age when many changes are occurring, both vocally and developmentally. Following the audition, the Directors will determine which choir will be most beneficial for each chorister.

Where are the rehearsals held?

St. Elizabeth's College, Convent Station, NJ - Xavier Center  - For directions, please visit their website http://www.xaviercenter.org

When are the rehearsals?

• Advanced Chorus - Mondays (Sept.-June), 6:00 - 8:00 PM
• Young Men's Ensemble - Mondays (Sept. - June), 6:30 - 8:00 PM
• Intermediate Chorus - Mondays (Sept. - June), 4:15 - 6:15 PM
• Musicianship Class - Mondays (Sept. - June), 4:30 - 5:45 PM

Is there a Music Camp?

There is a mandatory Music Camp for all choristers in the Advanced, Young Men's Ensemble and Intermediate Choirs. The Summer Camp fee is included in the tuition. Included will be sight-singing/theory, repertoire rehearsals, and social activities.

When are the concerts?

All choirs perform at the holiday concert in December and the Spring concert in June - the two main concerts for the public. In addition, the choruses perform during the year for various community and corporate functions. They also participate in musically educational activities such as children's choral festivals, music conventions, and collaborations with other professional music ensembles.

The Advanced Chorus also takes part in domestic and international tours. In previous seasons they have performed with the NJ Philharmonic and the NJ Symphony Orchestra at NJPAC, the Westfield Symphony, and the Princeton Symphony Orchestra. They have also sung at The American Choral Director's Convention (Hartford, CT), The American Choral Director's Convention (Baltimore, MD) and the National Convention of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association (Rochester, NY). They have performed on the "Today Show" and, in 2002, the Advanced Chorus performed with Ronan Tynan, the renowned Irish tenor.

The Intermediate Chorus performs at local venues, at mini-festivals, with other children's choirs, and takes at least one one-day trip.

The concert and rehearsal schedule will be available at the beginning of the season in September.

How much does it cost?                                             

The tuition is:

• $630.00 per year for the Musicianship Class
• $875.00 per year for the Young Men's Ensemble
• $855.00 per year for the Intermediate Chorus
• $950.00 per year for the Advanced Chorus

                      Group travel expenses are not covered by tuition.

Scholarship assistance is available for special circumstances. A written letter must be submitted to the Board of Trustees stating the reasons for scholarship need. All information is kept in strictest confidence.

At least one third of the tuition is due BEFORE MUSIC CAMP BEGINS.

What about tours and traveling?

Each year the Advanced Chorus travels to a music festival. In recent years, these trips have been to Philadelphia, Boston, Niagara Falls, and New Orleans. Some of these are 2-day trips and some are longer. In 1998 the chorus went to England for a week, in 2002 the NJYC attended the Pacific Rim Festival in Hawaii, and, in 2003, the NJYC attended a choral festival (Piccfest) in Eugene, Oregon.

The Advanced Chorus travelled to Italy in 2007.

Depending on the distance traveled, the choristers go by bus or by air. All trips are chaperoned by parents. The cost for these trips is in addition to tuition. Costs may be defrayed by fundraising activities.

What is expected of the parents?

The Artistic Director and the Board of Trustees have high expectations for both choristers and parents. The New Jersey Youth Chorus requires a commitment from not only the singers, but also from the parents. It is imperative that parents support the musical endeavors at all times. Parents are expected to:

  - Ensure that each chorister has reliable transportation to and from weekly rehearsals.

  - Read all weekly memos from the Director (these are sent home with choristers and posted on

    the website) 

  - Assist choristers with rehearsal homework in whatever way is possible (this may just be a        

    reminder to the chorister to do it, or it may be actual musical practice)

  - Return forms and checks on time

  - Participate actively in fundraising and social interaction opportunities.

  - Perform at least one volunteer service during the year for the chorus

What happens after the audition?

The Directors decide which students will be in each choir. Those who are not accepted will receive written notification. Successful applicants to the NJYC will be sent an Enrollment Application to complete.  The Enrollment Application must be completed within two weeks and a tuition check either for full or 1/3 payment is due at that time.

When do the Parents Meet?

There is a General Meeting for the parents at the Music Camp. At this meeting the directors, board, and executive director will discuss the year's program, activities, goals, and expectations for the year, as well as field questions from parents. At least one parent is required to attend.

Students will be auditioned in groups of 2 - 4. The Director will consider the quality of the voice and intonation (singing in tune) along with the quality of musicianship. If accepted, we use the musical information from the audition to determine placement within the choral program. You do not have to know everything to pass the audition!

QUALIFICATIONS

 - Entering grades 2-12 in September

 - A love of music and singing

 - Sing clearly, on pitch, tone to blend with others

 - Musical ear and tonal memory skills

 - Good sense of rhythm

 - Cooperative attitude

 - Commit to a one-year membership

Advanced Chorus, Young Men's Ensemble and Intermediate Chorus

 - Range

 - Staying in key/on pitch while singing a canon

 - Echo-singing 4-beat phrases; easy to challenging

 - Major, minor, augmented and diminished chords will be played on the piano: students will be asked

   to sing the pitches of the chords

 - Students must sing a song of their choice: the piece must be memorized, at least 15 measures long,

   and may be sung a cappella or accompanied (bring a copy of your music)

 - Sight-reading: 8 measures

 - Identify written music symbols such as time signatures and key signatures

AUDITION INFORMATION

Please bring: