New Choirs Provide Music Opportunities for Youngsters in Westchester

From Westchester Youth Choirs

Westchester Youth Choirs is a new organization offering exciting opportunities and the highest level of musical training for youth in the Hudson Valley.

The mission of Westchester Youth Choirs (WYC) is to foster musical excellence and to nurture young people toward becoming well-balanced, caring human beings through the learning and performance of choral music.

WYC is led by Artistic Director and Conductor Elisabeth Southorn, a veteran choral conductor, professional singer, and voice teacher originally from the West Coast. She moved to Mt. Kisco two years ago and teaches voice lessons to youth and adults.

“Youth choir programs are popular models in other states, including neighboring Connecticut,” Southorn explains. “I decided to create WYC because many of my students were looking for afterschool choral programs, but weren’t able to find many choices here in Westchester.”

WYC offers three opportunities for young singers to improve their skills and gain valuable performance and teamwork experience---Westchester Girls Chorus (grades 5-8), Westchester Young Women’s Chorus (grades 9-12), and Westchester Boys Chorus (ages 8-18).

Musical repertoire will include classical, world, folk, pop, Broadway, and selections in many languages. Part of the training will involve raising social conscience and raising funds for charities. Mentoring will be an important part of the curriculum for older, more experienced students. Choruses will have opportunities to perform locally, in festivals, and abroad.

Rehearsals for each choral group begin in September and will take place once a week at the Presbyterian Church in Mount Kisco. WYC also has a generous scholarship program and encourages any young person who loves to sing to join. For more information and to register, please visitwww.westchesteryouthchoirs.com.