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Pittsburgh Youth
Chorus is Tuning Up
for Summer Camp
I
f you’re looking for a summer camp that’s not only going to
be fun for your child but foster their innate musical talents as
well, the Pittsburgh Youth Chorus’ August 6-10 camp is the
one for you.
With registration ongoing through July 30, the camp is
for children ages 7-10 interested in music and singing and is
presented by instructors of the Pittsburgh Youth Chorus, which has
a 35-year history of choral excellence in Western Pennsylvania.
“The camp introduces children to a lot of the concepts we use
in our choral education program such as rhythm and movement
activities, healthy singing and music reading skills that are
designed to improve a child’s overall musicianship,” said Edwina
French, executive director. “On the
final day of camp, we hold auditions
for placement into our performance
choir program, so the children who
attended have a real advantage.”
No prior musical knowledge is
necessary to attend the camp. All
that’s needed is a love of singing
and enthusiasm for music. Summer
Singers Day Camp is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and takes place at
the Pittsburgh Opera headquarters at 2425 Liberty Avenue
in the Strip District. Each day features games, musical exercises
and special guests who present workshops. There are also
performances from high school musicians and others who have
grown their talents in the cultural field.
The camp is just one of many ways the Pittsburgh Youth Chorus
has grown throughout its more than three decades. Started in
1983 specifically for a performance with the Pittsburgh Symphony
Orchestra, the Pittsburgh Youth Chorus has attracted students from
as far away as Ohio and West Virginia to its acclaimed program.
There are three choirs under its tutelage, the Troubadours, Talisman
and Bel Canto Singers, with 150 members in all. It also has several
neighborhood choir groups in the Pittsburgh suburbs and has
recently formed a satellite choir in Grove City, which has grown
to nearly 20 members. Having such a close relationship with
the Pittsburgh Symphony and Pittsburgh Opera certainly has
its advantages, as members of Pittsburgh Youth Chorus get to
perform in the region’s most prestigious concert venues.
“Whenever the Pittsburgh Symphony schedules a concert
that requires children’s voices, we are the ones they call,” French
said. “This June, we’ll be performing with the PSO and The
Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh in a performance of Hector
Berlioz’s ‘Te Deum,’ and later in the season, we have several
engagements with the Pittsburgh Opera.”
Because of its prominence, it’s no surprise that the Pittsburgh
Youth Chorus has many outstanding alumni such as operatic
sopranos Alexandra Loutsion and Jennifer O’Loughlin.
Additionally, numerous PYC alumni have distinguished
careers throughout the United States as music educators and
professional musicians.
Another exciting advantage to membership in PYC is the
opportunity for national and international travel. Last summer,
PYC performed at the International Children’s Choir Festival in
Canterbury, England, and next summer, a trip to Philadelphia is
planned.
For more information on the Pittsburgh Youth Chorus’
summer camp, or for auditions, visit the website at
pittsburghyouthchorus.org. You can also call at 412.281.4790
or email [email protected]. PYC offers Tuition
Assistance to those with demonstrated need. Simply submit the PYC
Tuition Assistance Form found on the website.
NORWIN ❘ SUMMER 2018
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