VYOA Choruses

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“My high school choir was my first formal singing experience, and I enjoyed it enough that I chose choral music as my career. I hope that VYOA choral students discover not only choral masterworks, but the many other things that choral singing offers young people: a supportive community of peers, respect and regard for artistic endeavors, highly inspiring creative impulse and pride of accomplishment in the arts. Whether through vocal coaching, social activities, singing Spirituals or “Carmina Burana,” or learning to read music better than before, the VYOA choral experience strengthens students as musicians and as individuals.”

– Jeffrey Buettner, VYOA Choral Conductor

General Information

The VYO Chorus performs masterpieces of choral repertoire and provides students an extracurricular community choral opportunity complementary to their school choral programs. VYO Chorus concerts annually include choral/instrumental works and the Chorus also collaborates with the Vermont Youth Orchestra. The VYO Chorus presents two major concerts each year, and performs community outreach events in many schools and other locations in northern Vermont.

VYOC Rehearsal: Tuesday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

The Vermont Youth Concert Chorale provides a strong foundation for vocal development and choral musicianship for the next generation of choral singers. Students develop music reading and musicianship skills through a variety of literature that includes contemporary compositions, folk song, jazz and choral masterworks by major composers throughout music history. Concert Chorale presents two major concerts each year and often tours to area schools in northern Vermont.

VYCC Rehearsal: Tuesday evenings from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Auditions & Registration

Auditions are held annually in May at the Elley-Long Music Center at Saint Michael’s College. Auditions are open to singers currently (spring 2012) in grades 4- 11. Eligible singers will be in grades 5-12 at the beginning of next season. New students interested in joining the VYCC and VYOC are welcome to audition during this period. Current members must audition in order to participate in the organization each season.

Click here for more information on auditions
Download the 2011-2012 VYOC registration packet
Download the 2011-2012 VYOC information packet
Download the 2011-2012 VYCC registration packet
Download the 2011-2012 VYCC information packet

Attendance Policy

The VYOA attendance policy recognizes that events such as school, sports, and family activities may conflict with VYOA rehearsals and that illnesses occur. Compliance with the VYOA school music participation policy may also cause students to miss rehearsals.

VYOC and VYCC students are allowed no more than 3 absences per semester. VYOC and VYCC members are advised to make use of their allowed absences sparingly and strategically. Making competing commitments means making tough choices, a process that is itself an important learning process! Students who have absences in excess of the allowance will be required to re-audition for Dr. Buettner to demonstrate that they are keeping pace with the rest of the ensemble. If performance in that audition is not satisfactory, remediation will need to be made for choral participation to continue. Students are advised after missing a rehearsal to contact colleagues or the conductor and find out what was covered in that rehearsal The success of the VYO Chorus and the VYCC is dependent upon the full participation of all members. Students / parents must contact Art DeQuasie regarding any rehearsals that must be missed.

Tuition & Financial Aid

Annual tuition fees for participation in the VYOA instrumental and choral programs vary. For the 2011-12 season, tuition rates ranged from $350 or Vermont Youth Chamber Winds to $1475 for the Vermont Youth Orchestra (including participation in the week-long residential Reveille! Music Festival). Please note that tuition is non-refundable. The tuition fees for each ensemble program are announced in June and published in the VYOA Handbook given to each student at the beginning of each concert season.

Financial Aid: The VYOA believes strongly that no child should be discouraged from participating due to financial need. Need-based financial aid is available to all families who wish to apply. Please contact our office for additional information on Financial Aid options.

Download the financial aid application

VYOC/CC Winter Concert Sponsor: