Performances and rehearsals!

It has been a busy few days! On Saturday, April 10, Cantare traveled to Princeton, NJ to perform with the Trenton Children's Chorus. Francisco was the guest composer, and a brand new commissioned piece of his was premiered by Trenton Children's Chorus and YPC! It was a long day full of travel, rehearsals, and the concert, and the choristers came back tired but happy.



On Sunday the 11th, Prelude and Intermezzo performed at the Lenox Hill Neighborhood House in Manhattan. They have invited YPC for many years now, and it is always a fun day! Prelude and Intermezzo loved being able to spend time with each other and rehearse their pieces in a new setting. They even added an aspect of community involvement, teaching some of the pieces to the audience and having the audience sing along! It was a fun afternoon of making music, and a beautiful day that the choristers and families could go out and enjoy after the performance.

After a busy weekend, the excitement continued with Paquito D'Rivera at Concert Chorus rehearsal on Monday! Francisco and YPC worked with him on his brand new piece, "Tembandumba," commissioned by YPC. Paquito told the choristers a lot about the meaning of the piece...in addition to a lot about himself and his musical background. The choristers really started to make strong changes in the music after working with him. Working with him was truly amazing...hopefully we'll see him again soon!

The thrill of performing in a beautiful NYC concert hall...

"The Gala was really my best and favorite YPC experience so far. From the exciting rehearsals to meeting the prestigious musicians that would perform with us on that Monday night, my friends and I enjoyed every aspect of the performance. I myself loved venturing through the halls of the grandiose Jazz at Lincoln Center, and the live-in-the-moment, nostalgic experience while performing in front of a wave of spectators let me know that I can carry on with my life knowing that I have performed (quite nicely, on behalf of our divisions) at Jazz at Lincoln Center." - Tommaso, Intermezzo Chorus

Art in many forms

"The Gala was my first performance with Concert Chorus. The concert was so inspiring that I have been doing paintings and drawings for my university art portfolio to convey the wonderful feelings I had during the Gala while singing. These feelings I cannot express to the full extent in words. It was magical to be on the stage; knowing that hundreds of people were sitting, watching and listening to us sing. The whole day was full of an intense mood anticipating the Gala. Everyone worked hard to bring this magnificent concert together. I’d like to thank everyone for making the night amazing." - Rosa, Concert Chorus

Choristers' experiences with YPC

"There are no simple words to express the utter rapture that I feel from being in this chorus and being able to participate in something so earth-shattering as this organization. The endless opportunities and unfathomable experiences are too much for the mind to grasp. This chorus gives me hope that there is light at the end of the tunnel. To know that there are people out there that will fight for the goodness of the world and will turn potentiality into actuality is very comforting. To know that just by being a part of this is not just for today but will ultimately affect tomorrow is encouraging and inspiring. Join us, everyone, and contribute yourself to the harmonious chord in the resounding song of victory." - Jamal, Young Men's Chorus

"Singing with Concert Chorus and Young Men really helps us so much...it is so good for us musically to be integrated with them!" - Maggie, Cantare Chorus

"I think the gala brings us closer together. We have so many rehearsals in preparation and get to spend a lot of time together to create an amazing show." - Katie, Cantare Chorus

"I've never done a gala with YPC before...I wasn't sure if all those hours of extra rehearsal and hard work would really pay off because it wasn't always perfect in rehearsal. But while we were performing at the gala, I knew it was all worth it for an incredible performance and that amazing feeling on stage." - Louise, Cantare Chorus

"I really enjoyed this recent gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center. Not only was it a great venue, a great program, and great choreography, but there it was a great sense of accomplishment for us all. For weeks leading up to the Gala we have had so many hours of hard work in rehearsals. Even though it was a lot of work, I felt it was well worth it for everybody in the end. More than anything, I enjoyed the Gala because I got to see and experience all of the faces and personalities of YPC. I was able to see YPC. We sometimes forget that outside of each of our private endeavors in YPC lies a greater cause, more germane to the true meaning of YPC. That night I got to see that." - Chris, Young Men's Chorus

Gala reflections from two YPC seniors

"I stepped onto the stage with the bright lights in my eyes, and I knew this would be a great concert! Weeks of preparation for this one moment. The harmonic voices of the YPC mixed with Jacquie's intricate choreography and ideas brought every piece to life. Imagine and Bridge Over Troubled Water were especially moving as the YPC hit the stage with our natural, inner movement. Three eyears ago, the gala was my first concert, and now as a senior, I am back to the place where it all began." - Alphea, Concert Chorus

"The gala was really amazing and inspirational. This was my last gala, so it was really special to me. Performing with all the divisions was my favorite part, because I know the children from the Prelude Chorus will one day be in Concert Chorus. To know that the younger choristers will be walking in the same footsteps that I am now, is really inspiring." - Andrea, Concert Chorus

To YPC, from Gala Guest Composer Rob Kapilow

Dear Francisco,

Congratulations on your amazing gala! I have to tell you how happy I am that you commissioned Crosstown M42! I loved writing it with Fred--your instinct about writing it and pairing me with Fred could not have been more perfect. I was thrilled that we somehow got it together and did it last year--even with my mess of a score--and did it on the Radio. Your instinct was dead on--it was perfect for the occasion. I also think your instinct to put it on the gala was incredibly perfect. It was the right piece to show contemporary music for that occasion--not too serious, not incongruous with all the pop music, but fun and accessible. I also think your instinct to orchestrate the piece was excellent. At the rehearsals, you could hear how good the whole thing could sound.

I was delighted to have the chance to speak before the piece and say what I truly felt about you and the organization. What you have achieved with these kids is amazing. I never really saw them all together nor heard the stories of the group's beginning. Hearing those 2 girls at the dinner speak at what YPC meant to them brought tears to my eyes (being a teacher at heart myself). I hope you can take in what an amazing thing you are doing for these kids--as well as the composers like me who are lucky enough to work with them. Sometimes it can be hard, when you're in the middle of things, to really take in what you're accomplishing--but it is extraordinary. It has been a privilege and a joy to work with you and the group. Please tell them how much I adore them. I hope some day children will speak about me the way those girls spoke about you. That was the real thing--the thing that really matters and it's you who make it all possible. Congratulations on who you are and what you do.

All best,
Rob

Reflections on the March 15 gala from YPC's younger choristers...

"When I first set eyes on Rose Hall my mouth hung open. I was stunned. A whole orchestra was going to play for us, lights as bright as stars were on the stage, and long rows of seats seemed to surround the whole theatre. Right before the show a whole valley of butterflies seemed to be flying inside of me. When I was climbing the stairs to the balcony to perform, I felt like an artist. It was amazing to perform with a Broadway star and other amazing artists. Hundreds of peoples' eyes were glued on us. Each song had a different message. Singing with all the other choristers and artists made me feel so lucky to be part of the YPC chorus. It made me feel like I could accomplish anything in life." - Noah, Intermezzo Chorus

"My favorite moment was when we sang "Feelin' Groovy" - the whole audience loved it!" - Jackson, Prelude Chorus

"It was so much fun being with all of my friends and singing my heart out! I loved the colorful lights. It meant so much to me to look at the big audience and think they all came to hear us." - Julia, Prelude Chorus