Brooklyn Museum with Met Opera, 2019
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Brooklyn Youth Chorus offers world-class voice training for young people, ages 7-18, with an emphasis on healthy vocal development, music literacy, and group performance. The Chorus also features multiple performing ensembles, known for delivering professional-level performances in a wide variety of settings, from concert halls to professional recording studios.
About the Program
Running from September to June each year, the Chorus offers vocal instruction and private lessons for students, separated by age and experience level, in our Training Divisions and Performing Ensembles.
As students progress through Brooklyn Youth Chorus, they also have the opportunity to participate in performing ensembles. Our performing ensembles work on special projects throughout the year, including live appearances, professional recordings, and original choral productions.
Singers in our Training Divisions and Performing Ensembles gather together twice a year for two special concerts: Holiday Harmonies (December) and Spring Sings (May).
2021/22 Rehearsal Schedules
Brooklyn Youth Chorus divisions are organized by age first, to support healthy vocal development at different stages of growth and maturity.
We are offering in-person classes for all levels during the 2021/22 season. Classes begin in September, running through mid-May, with two enrollment periods. Students may join in the Fall for full season enrollment or in January for the Spring term only.
We will continue to offer virtual classes for students and families that would prefer this option. Students attending virtually will receive the same level of instruction and work on the same or similar material as those meeting in-person. Performances will also be virtual.
In-Person
Preparatory (ages 7-8)
Meets one day a week for 1 hour.
Mondays, 3:30-4:30pm
Cobble HillWednesdays, 3:30-4:30pm
Cobble HillFridays, 3:30-4:30pm
Cobble Hill
Preparatory (ages 8-10)
Meets one day a week for 1 hour.
Wednesdays, 4:30-5:30pm
Bedford Stuyvesant
Pre-Teen I (ages 9-11)
Meets one day a week for 1.5 hours. Most singers in this age division start at this level.
Tuesdays, 3:30-5:00pm
Brooklyn HeightsFridays, 4:45-6:15pm
Carroll Gardens
Pre-Teen II (ages 9-11)
Meets one day a week for 2 hours. More experienced singers in this age group may be placed in this level.
Mondays, 4:45-6:45pm
Carroll GardensThursdays, 5:00-7:00pm
Carroll Gardens
Teen (ages 12 and up)
Meets one day a week for 2 hours.
Mondays, 5:00-7:00pm
Cobble HillWednesdays, 5:00-7:00pm
Cobble Hill
Performing Ensembles (12 and up)
Performing ensembles rehearse multiple days a week, are for advanced singers ages 12 and up, and are open by invitation.
Junior Ensemble - Mondays and Wednesdays, 5:00-7:00pm.
Men’s Ensemble - Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:00-7:00pm.
Concert Ensemble - Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, 5:00-7:15pm.
Virtual (via Zoom)
Preparatory/Pre-Teen (ages 7-11)
Meets one day a week for 1 hour.
Thursdays, 3:30-4:30pm
Teen (ages 12 and up)
Meets one day a week for 2 hours. 90 minutes synchronous, the remaining time asynchronous activities.
Thursdays, 5:00-6:30pm
COVID-19 Health and Safety
We recognize that COVID-19 rates and variants, government safety guidelines, vaccine eligibility, and individual personal comfort level with different types of activities are changing daily. Brooklyn Youth Chorus will continue to closely follow the trajectory of the pandemic as well as shifting safety guidance and vaccine eligibility and we will dynamically update and communicate our plans and protocols throughout the season as new information emerges. We hope everything continues to improve, but we have contingency plans and virtual teaching options should they be necessary. We encourage two-way communication and will poll our families as needed through the season.
We have continually updated COVID-19 safety procedures for in-person classes and performances. This includes reduced class sizes, spacious rehearsal venues, masks requirements, vaccinated teachers, HEPA air purifiers, high-touch surface cleaning, and more.
Tuition & Financial Aid
Tuition
Brooklyn Youth Chorus charges an annual tuition for its program. Payment may be made annually or monthly. The Chorus provides financial aid and scholarships to any family in need. Please do not hesitate to join Brooklyn Youth Chorus due to financial concerns; we work with each family to make the program accessible for everyone. Email us for more information.
Financial Aid
The Chorus maintains an extensive need-based financial aid policy. We encourage all interested singers, regardless of economic circumstances, to join. Brooklyn Youth Chorus provides financial aid for tuition, with consideration given to a child’s attendance and performance record. A financial aid application is required with the possible request for supporting documentation. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Financial aid is available for private lessons and elective classes as well as for chorus tuition.
Frequently Asked Questions
+ How old does my child need to be to join?
Brooklyn Youth Chorus accepts students from grades 2-12 (ages 7-18). If your child is beginning second grade in the Fall, they are eligible to sing with the Chorus.
+ Does my child need any prior singing experience?
No prior experience is required to sing with Brooklyn Youth Chorus. Singers are asked to take part in a simple in-person vocal audition that requires no preparation so that we may place your child in the level that is most likely to offer them the best possible experience. Our only requirement to join Brooklyn Youth Chorus is a love of music and singing.
+ How frequently do students rehearse?
Our youngest students (ages 7-8) rehearse once a week for 60 minutes. Students aged 9-11 rehearse once a week for either 90 minutes or two hours, depending on their placement. Students in our teen division rehearse once a week for two hours. Students in the performing ensembles rehearse two or three times a week for 2+ hours a rehearsal, with additional time as needed.
+ Do students have a chance to perform?
Singers in our Training Divisions and Performing Ensembles gather together twice a year for two special concerts: Holiday Harmonies (December) and Spring Sings (May). At these concerts, students perform several songs per division to showcase what they’ve learned and gain valuable performance experience. At these concerts singers from across the levels often collaborate to perform an all-school song. The dates, locations, and formats for our Spring 2022 concerts will be determined based on our ability to provide a safe and comfortable concert experience for our students and families. Performing Ensembles have many additional opportunities to perform throughout the year.
+ Do you offer financial aid?
The Chorus maintains an extensive need-based financial aid policy. We encourage all interested singers, regardless of economic circumstances, to join. A financial aid application is required with the possible request for supporting documentation. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Financial aid is also available for private lessons and elective classes as well as for chorus tuition.
+ How are you addressing concerns regarding Covid-19?
Brooklyn Youth Chorus will be offering in-person classes for all levels and virtual classes for all ages during the 2021/22 season.
For singers 12 and above, vaccines will be required for in-person classes and we will be following state and local guidance for vaccinated groups including universal masking for all rehearsals. Our 7-11 year old singers are now eligible for vaccines and we are highly encouraging our choristers to get vaccinated. However we are not currently requiring vaccines for these age levels. Our in-person classes for singers under the age of 12 include enhanced COVID safety protocols following state and local guidance for unvaccinated groups. In addition to masking, safety measures include, 6’ of spacing between singers, and smaller classes. Additionally, all in-person rehearsal venues utilize HEPA air purifiers, hand sanitization stations, and enhanced cleaning protocols.
We are also continuing to offer virtual classes for students at each age level. All rehearsals and performances will be conducted online for these sections.
Brooklyn Youth Chorus will continue to dynamically update and communicate its COVID safety protocols throughout the season as new information emerges.
Click here for more information on our COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
+ How do I register?
The first step is to sign up for an audition. You will need to create a username, password, and profile on our parent portal and there you can choose an audition date and time. Schedule An Audition. After the audition you will receive an email from Brooklyn Youth Chorus with the results of the audition, and the placement level and instructions for the registration process, if applicable. Then, you will receive an email from Brooklyn Youth Chorus. If applicable the email will include your child’s division and level placement, tuition (tuition rates vary by division and level), and financial aid process, as well as rehearsal times and locations.