Choral Program
Midwest Young Artists offers a Choral Program for talented young voices who want the best vocal preparation possible for future college vocal training and who wish to be exposed to the finest choral literature. The MYA Choral Program includes Little Maestro Singers, Mighty Maestro Singers, Voices Rising, and VX Studio Vocal Ensemble. Each ensemble sings a wide variety of choral literature from classical to jazz and newly composed or arranged works by MYA composer-in-residence, Gary Fry. Students experience professional vocal training, spirited direction, and intensive choral instruction. Students may also participate in sight-singing and vocal musicianship classes. Voices Rising students perform alongside the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for their Welcome Yule! concerts in December.
Little Maestro Singers
Directed by Fred Koch, the Little Maestro Singers is a great way to introduce your young musician to performing in a choral ensemble. For 1st and 2nd graders.
Little Maestro Website
Little Maestro Rehearsal Schedule
Register for Little Maestro Singers
Little Maestro Rehearsals: Thursday, 4-4:45pm
Mighty Maestro Singers
For 3rd and 4th graders, the Mighty Maestro Singers is designed to provide younger individuals with the opportunity to experience the pleasure and camaraderie of participating in a choral ensemble. The Mighty Maestro Singers is directed by Fred Koch.
Mighty Maestro Website
Mighty Maestro Rehearsal Schedule
Register for Mighty Maestro Singers
Mighty Maestro Rehearsals: Thursday, 5- 6pm
Voices Rising
Ben Gray directs Voices Rising and they aim to develop healthy vocal habits, nurture the love of singing and the joy of performance, and build musicianship and vocal skills by continually seeking excellence in music of diverse styles. Vocal educators believe that the best guidance for children who love to sing, and may want to consider future study in music, is to join a quality chorus and to take piano lessons. Voices Rising accepts unchanged voices beginning in the 5th grade.
Voices Rising students perform alongside the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for their Welcome Yule! concerts in December. Only those members who pass proficiency and attendance requirements will be able to participate.
Voices Rising Website
Learn about auditioning for Voices Rising
Voices Rising Rehearsals: Sunday, 4:30- 6:30pm
VX Studio Vocal Ensemble
Director Gary Fry created this mixed-voice ensemble so students can focus on intense development of musical and vocal skills through recording (rather than live performance). Students will learn about the skills expected from professional recording vocalists as they sight-read and record short pieces in a multitude of vocal styles, drawn primarily from actual commercials, from classical singing to contemporary pop and jazz. They will also learn about current recording technology and techniques that are used in producing professional vocal tracks.
The size of the group will be limited to 16, and may be fewer based on properly balancing the group with male and female voices. Audition requirements: prepare 32-bar excerpts (or the equivalent) of in contrasting styles selected from any two of the following four genres: classical art song, Broadway show tune, jazz standard, or contemporary pop. Just as important, be prepared to sight-read several short exercises and answer interview questions about musical background and future goals in music.
To encourage consistent attendance, any member of the ensemble who has perfect attendance for the semester will receive a solo professional recording session of three hours at no additional cost. This session may be used to record a college application tape or similar (2-3 selections with piano accompaniment), and will be scheduled at mutual convenience outside of scheduled rehearsal time.
Listen to what VX is doing!
Audition for VX Studio Vocal Ensemble
VX Rehearsals: Tuesday, 7:00-9:00pm at High Touch Recording Studio, 13 Rolling Ridge Rd, Northfield, IL