Midwest Young Artists’ Choral program is for talented young voices who want the best vocal preparation possible for future college vocal training and who wish to be exposed to the finest choral literature. Each ensemble sings a wide variety of choral literature from classical to jazz and newly composed or arranged works by MYA composer-in-residence, Gary Fry. Students experience professional vocal training, spirited direction, and intensive choral instruction. Students may also participate in sight-singing and vocal musicianship classes. Voices Rising students perform alongside the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for their Welcome Yule! concerts in December and Chorale students join the MYA Symphony to perform major choral and symphonic literature. The MYA Choral Program includes Choristers (grades 2-4), Voices Rising (unchanged voices beginning in 5th grade) and Chorale (changed voices beginning in 9th grade).
Choral Program Offerings
Choristers, Liz Moore, Director
Choristers is MYA’s entry-level choral ensemble. This new addition to MYA’s choral groups is designed to provide younger individuals with the opportunity to experience the pleasure and camaraderie of participating in a choral ensemble.
An audition is not required.
Chorister Rehearsals: Sunday, 4:30 to 5:30 PM
Register for Choristers
Voices Rising, Gary Fry, Director
The goals of Voices Rising are to develop healthy vocal habits, to nurture the love of singing and the joy of performance, and to build musicianship and vocal skills by continually seeking excellence in music of diverse styles. Vocal educators believe that the best guidance for children who love to sing, and may want to consider future study in music, is to join a quality chorus and to take piano lessons. We accept unchanged voices beginning in 5th grade.
Voices Rising Rehearsals: Sunday, 3:00 to 8:00 PM
NEW this Fall: Voices Rising will divide into two groups by age or experience: Voices Rising BLUE (younger/less experienced) and Voices Rising PURPLE (older/more experienced).
Voices Rising BLUE Rehearsal: Sunday, 4:00 to 5:30 PM
Voices Rising PURPLE Rehearsal: Sunday, 5:00 to 6:30 PM
We expect, for the first time, our performances with the Chicago Symphony will be only those members who pass proficiency and attendance requirements.
NEW Vocal Musicianship Classes: Offered on Sunday before and after Voices Rising rehearsals. (Pizza will be available for purchase from 6:30 - 7:00 PM)
Voices Rising BLUE Musicianship Class: Sunday, 3:00 to 3:45 PM
Voices Rising PURPLE Musicianship Class: Sunday, 7:00 to 8:00 PM
VOICES RISING Kicks off the 2008-2009 Season with a Mini-Workshop, August 12-15, 2008, at the MYA Center at Fort Sheridan.
Audition for Voices Rising
We now have a website that makes it easy to download mp3 files of our music so that you can practice (and memorize) on your own.
Chorale, Gordon Krauspe, Director
The focus of Chorale, MYA’s most advanced choral ensemble for students in grades 9 through 12, is on teaching young singers how to develop musicianship skills while building healthy habits and attitudes. Students will have the opportunity to sing works by the most highly regarded composers today in all styles and genres.
MYA is pleased to welcome back Gordon Krauspe as director of MYA’s Chorale! Formerly, Gordon was MYA’s Chorale director from 2004-2006. Gordon Krauspe is Director of Choir at Wheaton Warrenville South High School in Wheaton, Illinois where he directs the Chamber Singers, Concert Chorale, Varsity Women’s Chorale, and the Men’s Chorale, as well as teaching Rock and Roll History. He holds a Bachelor of Music Ed. and Master of Music degree from Northern Illinois University. His teaching experience is at all levels kindergarten through university.
Chorale Rehearsals: Sunday, 7:00 to 9:00 PM
Audition for Chorale
NEW: Choral Chamber Music Elective - A new offering for MYA’s Chamber Music Program! Chamber Music is an opportunity for students to investigate other types of vocal music performance other than traditional large group choral music. The kinds of repertoire that will be rehearsed and performed by students will be a myriad of styles from Bach to bop including: musical theater, opera literature appropriate for the adolescent singer, period music, and acappella/vocal jazz. During each semester students will work in one (or possibly more) small groups in which they will choose repertoire, learn their music, and eventually perform. In addition, students will be taught how to do their own rehearsing, learn how to identify and solve technical problems as well as learn how to create more expressive performances. The size of the chamber groups and genre of music selected will be determined based on enrollment.
*Current MYA Choral members do not need to audition for the Chamber Music, simply click on the "Chamber Music Elective" link above for more information and fill out the Chamber Music Questionnaire.
