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BYC to honor Jeannette LoVetri at the annual Voices of Harmony Gala
Choristers lend their voices to "Hostile Gospel, Pt. 1" on Talib Kweli's new album, Ear Drum
Born and raised in Brooklyn, Talib Kweli began his career in the '90s as a member of the duo Black Star with Mos Def, whom he met while a theater student at NYU. Highly regarded for his socio-political lyrics, Kweli has collaborated with some of the greatest artists in the entertainment industry today, including Mos Def, Hi-Tek, Kanye West, Mary J. Blige and Anthony Hamilton. BYC backs Elton John at his 60th Birthday Concert at MSG
Click on these links from the Birthday concert: BYC Featured in Video on EltonJohn.com (scroll down to BYC video) Live broadcast streamed on MSN A night to remember for the birthday boy - full story on EltonJohn.com Photos from rehearsal and concert BYC performs at United Nations, New York Ethical Culture Society The night following their performance at Madison Square Garden with Elton John, the Chorus shifted gears to 20th century classical music, performing Benjamin Britten’s Voices for Today with the New York Virtuoso Singers in a program entitled Voices for Peace at the New York Ethical Culture Society. The program also included the world premiere of Voices of Power and Protest, Thea Musgrave’s new work for adult choir in which three BYCA choristers performed as “orphans.” The Chorus reprised the program in a private event at the United Nations on March 28. BYC sings in first-ever live performance of Lou Reed's Berlin
Read the online Rolling Stone review back to topBYC Live and "On Screen" at George Washington's Mt. Vernon Estate
Read more about Mt. Vernon and its new Education Center View Photos from the Theater and Opening . back to top“Wonderful” Beginning to Our 15th Season with More to ComeOur Fifth Consecutive Season with the New York Philharmonic
The critics praised BYC’s performance:
This live performance will be broadcast on The New York Philharmonic This Week on WQXR and other stations in November. Click here for broadcast details. BYC with Broadway, Cabaret and Concert Legend Barbara CookOn November 18th the Chorus appeared with Broadway legend Barbara Cook in Carnegie Hall Presents -- Barbara Cook—No One is Alone. This was Ms. Cook’s sixth solo concert at Carnegie Hall. She is noted for her definitive interpretations of works by Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim, Richard Rodgers and Harold Arlen, among others. Barbara Cook's Music Director, Eric Stern, thanked BYC with "gratitute and amazement," saying their participation in the finale number, "Make Our Garden Grow" from Bernstein's Candide, "had such an emotional impact on the audience, and on us." This concert was part of Carnegie Hall’s “One Night Only” series. Teachers Rate BYCA/NYU Summer Course “Top-Notch”
For the choral directors, voice teachers and music educators who gathered for the week-long course (held July 10-14), the Workshop’s specialized training in children’s vocal development and musicianship skills in a group setting was both welcome and unusual. Students described their experience as “invaluable,” “concise, relevant and immediately applicable,” “top-notch,” “exciting and unusual,” and “electric” and “comprehensive in design.” The course was an intensive introduction to the Cross-Choral Training(SM) method (or C-CT), as developed by Dianne Berkun and BYCA voice specialist Jeannette LoVetri for training BYCA students. Says Berkun, “C-CT helps singers learn to sing in the healthiest sounds possible in a wide variety of styles.” C-CT stands unique as a holistic approach to training vocal musicians to respond to the musical and expressive demands of diverse repertoire. It is both functional voice training, based upon voice science and health, and a comprehensive approach to teaching sight-reading and other musicianship skills. With members of the Brooklyn Youth Chorus in attendance for demonstrations and performances, participants were able to see first-hand how to apply the techniques learned in class, as well as take turns conducting the choristers themselves. “It would have been impossible to offer this kind of course without the hands-on component. In the end, I think the master classes were as instructive and useful for the chorus as they were for the NYU teacher-students,” reflects Berkun. The week included guest lectures on such topics as “Educational Philosophy” and “Vocal Health and Speech” and training in such specific areas as Voice Pedagogy, Score Analysis, Conducting and Musicianship. Also involved with the course were BYCA Voice Specialist Jeannette LoVetri, BYCA Associate Conductor and Principal Pianist Matthew Brady, esteemed Baroque opera conductor Rudolph Palmer and special guest educators: Dr. David Elliott (NYU Program in Music Education); Judith Clurman (Juilliard, Director of Choral Activities); and Dianna Heldman (NYU Program in Vocal Performance). View information about C-CT Program for Summer 2007 Graduating Voice Fellows Pursue Music Studies
Having spent many days each week in BYCA rehearsals and elective classes from age 11, Jasmine regards BYCA as a “second home.” As a member of the Concert Chorus and Chamber Chorus, Jasmine performed extensively and traveled internationally with BYCA. “From the time I was a young child, I wanted to be a singer. BYCA has helped me to pursue my dreams by providing wonderful opportunities,” says Jasmine. “I have performed in concerts, special events and at venues where even accomplished musicians can only dream about performing.” Khadeja, also a seven-year chorister, was a regular participant in BYCA’s musical theater elective classes. “Musically, I had no experience whatsoever before I became a chorister. I most certainly was not planning on pursuing a music career…. Now, after seven years of musicianship training, I intend to pursue a career in which these skills are put to use.” In recognition of their musical and artistic potential, BYCA named Jasmine a Voice Fellow for five years and Khadeja for two years. Artistic Director Dianne Berkun established the Pre-Professional Training Program to give promising and highly motivated choristers the skills and guidance needed to prepare them for higher education and careers in music. “The Voice Fellows program represents what BYCA is all about at its highest level—a serious commitment to both musical and personal development,” explains Ms. Berkun. Participants are granted full merit scholarships for private voice lessons and coaching, including college advice, audition preparation and career exploration. In addition, Voice Fellows are invited to participate in special education workshops and collaborations with established professionals and arts organizations such as the New York City Opera. The advantages of the Pre-Professional Training Program are available at no charge to all qualifying applicants. In this way, BYCA bolsters the prestige of the Program while ensuring that it is available to students who cannot otherwise afford training and guidance at this level. Says Khadeja, “Receiving the Voice Fellowship was not only flattering but a great opportunity, as well. I knew I would not be able to afford voice lessons otherwise and I greatly appreciated BYCA’s generous offer. The fellowship gave me an opportunity to receive individual attention and make my voice the best that it can be.” Adds Jasmine, “The Voice Fellowship really broadened my perception as a singer. Before, I was constricted to a certain register, now I am more versatile. Financially, it was a blessing because I received voice lessons, which I could not otherwise afford, for free.” Both Jasmine and Khadeja reflect fondly on their time at BYCA, remembering their travels (London and Germany were favorite destinations) and their many performance opportunities. In Jasmine’s words, “A highlight of the [London] tour was when we visited a Performing Arts School. It opened my mind to see that the students who attended the school were so free, talented and expressive with their music. It inspired me to take ownership of my talent, and really work hard, so I can be proud and confident as an artist.” Jasmine is attending Purchase College Conservatory of Music and Khadeja is attending Temple University. Looking to the future, Jasmine says, “Although I am embarking on a new journey in my life, I will never forget the wonderful opportunities that BYCA has provided for me.” Her advice to younger students is, “If you feel that you have an extraordinary passion and love for music and singing, BYCA is the place to manifest it. The environment is safe, and the setting is nurturing.” As Khadeja thinks about her next steps in life, she encourages younger students to “participate in as many electives at BYC as possible. They’re so much fun and so helpful . . . Just sing your little hearts out and have a good time doing it.” back to top2005-2006 Concerts In Review
BYC’s annual repertoire is a combination of collaborative and individual works, traditional favorites and independent commissions. Of the many collaborative events in which BYC is invited to participate annually, each is an opportunity not only for performance but also for education. Students learn from the experience of rehearsing and performing with some of today's most acclaimed artists and conductors, and they gain awareness of their role as musicians who are specially suited—by virtue of their ages and vocal talents—to offer something unique back to the music. This spring, BYC participated in several collaborations with renowned ensemble partners, old and new. Our spring season began with Orff's Carmina Burana, with the Chorus accompanying the Brooklyn Philharmonic and Nicholasleichterdance at the inaugural performance of the orchestra's new music director, Michael Christie (February 25 at BAM.) The Chorus reprised the role in an April 6 appearance with the Juilliard Choral Union at Alice Tully Hall. In advance of the concert, Judith Clurman, director and conductor of the Choral Union, observed “BYCA encompasses such a variety of students of different ages. We’ve done several collaborations with BYCA, and this spring I’m looking forward to working with some of the younger students in Carmina Burana, and experiencing the different sounds they will bring to the music.” Marking our fourth consecutive season with the New York Philharmonic, BYC performed Bartok's dynamic re-setting of Hungarian folksongs, Six Children’s Choruses, as featured performers in the Orchestra's Young People's Concert™ on May 6 at Avery Fisher Hall. BYCA first collaborated with the New York Philharmonic in 2002 on the premiere of John Adams’ On the Transmigration of Souls, for which both groups later won a GRAMMY Award for Best Classical Album. Theodore Wiprud, Director of Education for the New York Philharmonic, recently praised BYCA's work with the Orchestra: “We can’t do Mahler’s Symphony No. 3 or No. 8, or Britten’s War Requiem, or Bernstein’s Symphony No. 3, or John Adams’ On the Transmigration of Souls, or many other works without being able to count on a top-quality children’s chorus. Our ongoing relationship with Brooklyn Youth Chorus is important to our musical as well as our educational work.” Philharmonic Guest conductor Ludovic Morlot spoke fondly of his work with BYC writing, " The Chorus did a wonderful job on a very challenging set of songs... and what a beautiful energy and passion already! Making music with BYC is, unsurprisingly a great source of energy but also a very emotional experience. Every young chorister is sharing his/her passion for singing with such intensity. It truly is an inspiring opportunity to communicate with a hundred shining eyes." BYC took the spotlight in a second performance of Bartók's choruses -- sung a cappella -- in a featured performance at Carnegie Hall on May 12 to open The Collegiate Chorale's energetic program Berlioz and Bernstein: A Joyous Celebration. Later in the concert, the Chorus joined The Collegiate Chorale, The Canticum Novum Singers and The Orchestra of St. Lukes in Hector Berlioz’s revolutionary Te Deum.
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Talib Kweli's new album, Eardrum, recently debuted in the #2 spot on the Billboard 200, with 600,000 copies sold in the first week of release. The Brooklyn Youth Chorus sings backup vocals on the track Hostile Gospel, Pt. 1, of which
XXL Magazine writes, "On the choir-backed “Hostile Gospel”... he [Kweli] successfully laments society’s ills."
The Brooklyn Youth Chorus joined Sir Elton John and his band on March 25 for the pop legend’s 60th birthday concert at Madison Square Garden. Performing before a sold-out crowd of 20,000, the Chorus rocked with the Rocket Man on 16 songs, including hits such as Philadelphia Freedom, Saturday Night’s All Right, Don’t Let the Sun Go Down and Take Me to the Pilot, as well as the first live performance of Ballad of a Well-Known Gun in 30 years. To a three-hour concert filled with well-loved songs that have become classics, The New York Times said the Chorus “managed to bring a sense of uplift, along with some raw power.” President Bill Clinton, Elton John’s collaborator Bernie Taupin, Whoopi Goldberg and Robin Williams also appeared on stage to wish the singer a happy birthday. For this special event, BYCA launched a young men’s Tenor/Bass Division, bringing an exciting new “mixed voice sound” to the Chorus. This was BYC’s second appearance with Elton John, following a five-show stand at Radio City Music Hall in 2004.
