Radio Radiance Programs Air!

This season's Radio Radiance programs aired in September. If you missed the original broadcasts, you can listen directly on the YPC website. Each program features a performance by YPC, an interview with a featured composer, and accompanying pre-broadcast and broadcast Listening Guides. Check it all out on the Radio Radiance page!

Radio Radiance Airs Again!

Episode Two of YPC's new radio and internet program, Radio Radiance™ , aired on Wednesday, September 16 on Performance Today.

The next broadcast will be Tuesday, September 22!

The September 16 show is now available for download on the YPC Radio Radiance™ website! You can read all about the newly commissioned work, "Two Mountain Songs," by Gabriela Lena Frank by downloading the Listening Guides that are available on the website.

Let us know what you think of Radio Radiance™ by leaving comments on our blog!

Read All About our Japan Tour

After keeping up with the tour via the chorister blog updates all summer, now you have the chance to learn about the full Japan Tour experience!

See lots of pictures from the tour, hear more stories directly from the chorister, read the YPC staff perspective of the tour, and learn about all of the exciting performances, Japanese culture, and places the YPC experienced while on tour!

YPC Radio Radiance Recording Session

Check out the pictures of YPC recording "Crosstown M42" for Radio Radiance. This performance and accompanying interview aired on "Performance Today" on Friday, September 11. Listen to the program here!


Above, YPC with composers Robert Kapilow and Fred Newman.

If You See Something, Sing Something!

YPC's new radio and internet program, Radio Radiance, an NEA-funded project in collaboration with WNYC New York Public Radio and American Public Media (APM), begins airing today, Friday, September 11, on APM's "Performance Today."

Each program will feature a performance by YPC and interview with the featured composer.

Today's show will feature "Crosstown M42" by Robert Kapilow and Fred Newman. Listen on the "Performance Today" website NOW!

Read all about the piece here:

Have you ever traveled across New York City by bus? Composers Robert Kapilow and Fred Newman had the idea of recreating this experience in their new choral work "Crosstown M42," written for the Young People's Chorus of New York City's Radio Radiance program. Beginning with sounds of the wind and seagulls on the Hudson River, the listener is taken on a journey past Port Authority, through Times Square and Bryant Park all the way to the East River. Each stop contains a snapshot, or rather an earshot, of the amazing city sounds that are all around us. Complete with beat boxing, steel drums, sitar playing and even every child's favorite, "the Wheels on the Bus," it is an exciting piece that will captivate every listener.

Check back soon for more announcements about Radio Radiance!

Dancing, Singing, and Losing a Shoe!

Konnichiwa! It is day 20 of the Japan trip and boy oh boy is it a humid one! Two hours ago I had such a wonderful experience with the Children of the Sun chorus from the town of Kochi. These kids are ages 9 to 11 and are quite the bunch. They sang two songs, one in Japanese, one in English and both were super cute! We ended up singing "Furusato," "Tegami" and "New York, New York" and the kids enjoyed them.

Afterward we joined them in their traditional dance and we were given instruments to use. It was quite the experience watching YPC’ers concentrate fully on the lovely lady who danced in the middle, trying to copy her every move. The experience then turned humorous when after our attempt at their traditional dance, we taught them "Run, Run, Run my Baby." It is nothing like a traditional dance, but all of us really love it.

At first, the Children of the Sun choristers were a bit shy, but after a while most of them got into it and it was indeed a success. Singing, dancing, laughing and playing with the kids was truly beautiful and it was unfortunate that we only spent an hour with them. Being in Japan, I have learned that the people here are passionate about one another and the environment around them. The generosity and care of the Japanese people is astonishing and these shining qualities will absolutely be missed.

As far as concerts go, last night was one I will most definitely remember. As I was about to dance across to the other side of the stage during "Take Me to the Water," my shoe decided to slip off. So, the only option was to keep on dancing with one shoe and try to complete the song without losing myself to laughter (it was extremely difficult). Anywho, the next song starts and my shoe is in the middle of the stage, longing for my foot. Luckily, we move around during this song so my friend and fellow alto Alphea, slides my shoe over to me (with the utmost grace) and I quickly slip my shoe back on and went on singing!

- Emma Kate Hirschhorn/Chorister

Meeting Japanese Children

Sydney Fishman, Jamal Marcelin, Lenice Wells

"We’ve been in Japan for 3 weeks now and it’s been great. I’m writing this blog from a bus on my way to Matsuyama from Kochi. We’re almost there and we can’t wait to get there. Life is great here in Japan. The people are so nice and the land is beautiful. We just came from a “day care center” that had Japanese children ranging in ages from 9 to 11. The children were very nice and fun, but very shy. They taught us a dance that was from their town. They also sang us 2 songs: 1 in Japanese and 1 in English. We also sang them 2 songs. They sang both songs with us. They were very kind, but when we tried to play a dancing game with them they became extremely shy and some of them didn’t want to dance with us. This experience was extremely fun."

- Jamal Marcelin/Chorister