New York City children's choirs

Members of the Brooklyn Youth Chorus make a joyful noise.

Who Brooklyn Youth Chorus Academy
What The program’s concert chorus (ages 11 to 18) has recorded with Elton John and the New York Philharmonic, among other acts, and toured Canada, the U.K., Germany and Russia. The academy, founded in 1992, offers classes in voice training, music theory, sight singing, ear training, harmony, performance and more.
How Auditions are open to girls and boys in grades 2 through 11. Prospective students perform pitch-matching exercises and sing scales and “Happy Birthday.” Tuition is $785 per year; about 40 percent of students receive financial aid.
Contact 718-243-9447, ext 223; brooklynyouthchorus.org

Who Metropolitan Opera Children’s Chorus
What This is the big time: The professional troupe performs with the grown-ups at the Met.
How Typically, kids are selected at six to eight years old and attend classes until they are ready to appear onstage. For the audition, applicants sing a simple song (“Happy Birthday,” again!) and are tested on their ability to match pitch and to distinguish musical tonality. There is no fee for the program.
Contact Elena Doria, director, 212-870-7663; metoperafamily.org

Who Young People’s Chorus of New York City
What Since 1988, the ensemble has performed on three continents at venues ranging from London’s renowned St. Martin-in-the-Fields to Yankee Stadium. The group is in residence at the 92nd Street Y, WNYC and Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center.
How To audition, children ages seven to 18 croon a song of their choice (on the list: you guessed it, “Happy Birthday”); candidates should be able to sing basic music patterns. Tuition is $775 per year; more than 70 percent of students receive financial aid.
Contact 212-289-7779, ext 10; ypc.org

Upcoming concerts

Brooklyn Youth Chorus
February 17, 8pm at Carnegie Hall
The chorus performs Ravel's L'Enfant et les sortileges with the New York Philharmonic.
For additional concerts, see the Brooklyn Youth Chorus Academy’s calendar.

Metropolitan Opera Children's Chorus
Feb 2, 5, 9, 14, 18 and 21, 8pm at the Metropolitan Opera House
The chorus will perform in the opera Eugene Onegin.

The Young People's Chorus of New York City
March 11, 6:30pm at Frederick P. Rose Hall
Five YPC divisions perform with the New York Pops and other special guests.
For additional concerts, see the Young People's Chorus of New York City’s calendar.

—Michelle Edgar

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