The Young People’s Chorus Of NY
by Stu Dunn

Education has many facets. One of the most interesting and satisfying is the Young People’s Chorus of New York (YPC). The YPC is a performance-based choral group of some 300 young people, ages 8-26, in five choral divisions. In residence at the 92nd Street Y, it performs public and private concerts.

Under the co-direction of Francisco Nunez and Cara Suzanne Tasher, performances have taken place throughout the city, nationwide and internationally. They have appeared before such dignitaries as the President of the United States, Kofi Annan at the UN, Prime Minister Yizhak Rabin, President Nelson Mandela, and numerous royalty. They has been featured on ABC, NBC, FOX, and WQXR. The YPC received First Prize in the Children’s Chorus category at the prestigious 2002 International Chorus Competition held in British Columbia, 3 First Prizes and a Gold Medal at the 1999 Des Moines International Choir Competition, and a Silver Medal at the 1997 Prague International Choral Competition. While these performances and awards talk to the commitment to excellence of the YPC, even more important is its commitment to providing an atmosphere where young people of diverse ethnic, racial, and religious backgrounds can further their personal and artistic growth through the study and performance of music. The YPC has been recognized for its commitment to urban and at-risk children by the NYS Assembly, the Mayor, and the Manhattan Borough President’s office.

Participation in this program is very demanding, and the young people who make up these choral groups not only learn music they learn self-discipline. Recently, the Concert Chorus, consisting of forty singers, ranging in age from 11 to 17, gave a performance entitled “Transient Glory” in which they performed eight works, six of which were world premieres. The evening was hosted by John Schaefer of WNYC. The works were performed both a cappella and accompanied by piano and instrumentalists. The outstanding performances brought the audience to its feet to applaud these young people and their director, Francisco Nunez. One can only imagine the work that went into preparing for this concert. Those who despair of educating inner city children should attend one of the YPC performances. They will not only have a wonderful evening, but will see what skillful leadership, talent and hard work can accomplish.#