Special Campaigns
At Brooklyn Youth Chorus, we strive to offer music education with no barriers. That’s what makes the astonishing, inspired performances our singers share possible. Want to help? Check out these special campaigns that provide scholarship support, private lesson opportunities, and new music commissions that enhance and define the Brooklyn Youth Chorus experience.
The Charles J. and Irene F. Hamm Scholarship Endowment
A student in class at P.S. 1 in Brooklyn.
Some of Brooklyn Youth Chorus’ earliest and most dedicated supporters, Charles and Irene Hamm know that the Chorus’ success relies on its offerings remaining open and accessible to all students.
In that spirit, the Hamms endowed Brooklyn Youth Chorus’ first dedicated scholarship fund in 2016. The scholarship Endowment has provided:
A $50,000/year increase in amount of scholarship given
Twice as many students receiving scholarships
Almost $1,000,000 in scholarship funds raised
By contributing to the Scholarship Endowment, you ensure that the choristers of today, and the choristers of tomorrow are nurtured, supported, and welcomed at Brooklyn Youth Chorus.
“The future of this organization relies on our ability to underwrite scholarships and productions to ensure that the Chorus continues to create greatness for our children -- not only by training then, but by allowing them to perform and present to you their humanism, their talent, and their love of giving and making music.” - Charles J. Hamm
The Mary Anne & Dick Yancey Memorial Fund
The Mary Anne & Dick Yancey Memorial Fund honors the memory of Mary Anne and Dick Yancey by helping children from low-income families move towards the highest-levels of musicianship through one-on-one vocal instruction.
A dedicated philanthropic couple who believed in the power of public service, their years at Plymouth Church, BRIC, Brooklyn Chamber Music Society, and - of course - Brooklyn Youth Chorus, helped build a functional framework for our founding values, so that every child is welcome at the Chorus, regardless of their family’s ability to pay.
That’s why the Yancey Fund provides each and every Brooklyn Youth Chorus singer with the opportunity to advance in accordance with their potential. Private voice lessons, often out-of-reach for families on financial aid, prepare choristers for artistic advancement. It is our goal that this powerful instructional tool be available to all interested members of Brooklyn Youth Chorus. The Yancey Fund makes that dream possible. Since its inception in 2013, the Yancey Fund has:
Given almost $90,000 in scholarships & financial aid
Served more than 35 exceptional young singers
Provided over 1,500 hours of instruction
Sent nearly 100% of graduates on to a 4-year college
Mary Anne and Dick Yancey’s spirit of service still resonates throughout the Brooklyn community. With your help, their legacy at Brooklyn Youth Chorus can impact hundreds of young singers for years to come.
A private lesson student at the Brooklyn Youth Chorus talent show.
The Barclay Collins New Music Fund
Creation is at the heart of all we do at Brooklyn Youth Chorus. That’s why emeritus board member J. Barclay Collins, II created the Barclay Collins New Music Fund. This fund ensures that commissioning, producing, touring and recording with preeminent artists and composers remains at the center of the Chorus’ work. Since its inception, the New Music Fund has:
Commissioned 40+ pieces of new music
Allowed for the recording of 3 studio albums
Underwritten 3 choral theater productions
Sponsored 4 out-of-state tours
Brought 35+ living composers to Chorus headquarters for student collaborations
Want to learn more about Brooklyn Youth Chorus and New Music? Click here.
Black Mountain Songs composer Bryce Dessner, opening night at BAM.