ps 268 on stage

John Hatfield opens Irving Berlin's Blue Skies with some rocking drums -- boy, these kids can swing. And they're only in grades 3-5!

ps 268 goes on stage

PS 268 is our Satellite in Brooklyn. It's their third year in the program. Sophia Miller is conducting. (Dev Director Christina says she loves their shirts.) (Colorful.) They are singing Little Firefly by Larry Schultz, in 2 parts.

OYE!!! YPC's Satellite Schools rock the 92nd Street Y

Oye! Hear our children sing! We are here at the 9nd Street Y, and Satellite Program director Elizabeth is on stage introducing all our conductors, pianists, production staff, and Artistic Director -- all to rousing cheers from our wonderful kids.

It's a rocking event -- and we'll be live blogging this for the next hour. Stay tuned!

Now E. is asking the kids to practice how to applaud. Really good. Things are off to a great start.

Live on the Web: YPC's Radio Radiance!

YPC goes live on the web on Tuesday, June 2, when we introduce Radio Radiance!

An innovative radio/internet program created by the Young People’s Chorus of New York City (YPC) under the artistic direction of Francisco J. Núñez, Radio Radiance will be launched during a live performance and webstream from WNYC New York Public Radio’s Jerome Greene Performance Space. The four-episode program is presented in collaboration with WNYC and American Public Media (APM).

Don't miss this historic moment! To watch the live webstream on June 2, log on to www.wnyc.org beginning at 5:30 p.m. To read a moment-by-moment account of the entire process--from closed-door recordings to conversations with composers to the live performance itself, catch this blog starting at 3:00 p.m. -- and send in your comments.

Radio Radiance will introduce four new commissioned works by YPC from award-winning composers Eve Beglarian, Robert Kapilow with foley (sound effects) artist Fred Newman, Meredith Monk, and Gabriela Lena Frank, all known for taking music in new and surprising directions. Two of them, world premieres by Beglarian and Kapilow, were written especially for radio and digital technology. All four works will be performed by YPC and presented as self-contained episodes. The works represent Radio Radiance’s mission “to present innovative choral music and explore vocal extremes."

Radio Radiance is hosted by WNYC’s John Schaefer and APM’s Fred Child and is being recorded at WNYC’s Jerome L. Greene Performance Space before a live audience of special guests and children from YPC’s Satellite Program in NYC public schools.

The Young People's Chorus of New York City and the NYU Usingers joined forces to perform the NY Premiere of Robert Kapilow's Jabberwocky at the new Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center, over two performances on Saturday, April 24, 2009.  It was a delight and special treat to work with Robert again.  He is definitely a perfectionist, but it is worth all the effort, because his music, his energy, his musical insight are all inspiring and thoughtful.

YPC has had a long relationship with Robert and the NYU 

Usingers starting joining us in the last few years as we premiere new works and sing some old ones too.  Each time we are able to sing a work written especially for the occation by Robert and we get to work with him which is the best part of the event.  From Toronto to Boston and of course NYC, here is what I remember:

2000 Polar Express in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

2003 In Just Spring

2004 Translate

2005 In Just Spring

2006 Casey at the Bat

2007 ????

2008 Casey at the Bat

2009 Jabberwocky

I'm sure there are other years and several other works.  Do you remember any?

Here is a letter that Robert wrote to me just after our Jabberwocky performance this weekend:

Dear Francisco,

Somehow, though every project I have done with you turns out to be fantastic, I am always amazed each time at performance by how great, alive, responsive, and joyful your chorus is. I keep forgetting! I thought (as did everyone else at the concert) that they did a spectacular job on, what I finally admit, is very difficult music. They are such a delight to work with and, though I know I have said this many times, it is all because of you. If you could bottle up your enthusiasm, energy, and comittment to those kids and sell it, not only would you be able to afford a triplex apartment, but the music world would be in far better shape. I know that you prepared this in the middle of one of the most crazed times you have ever had--which is saying something given your normally crazed schedule--and I know what it took to get it done in the middle of all that. Watching you drill "gyre and gimble" 10 minutes before performance made me realize why I love collaborating with you. Your comittment to excellence is truly admirable, but it is the joyous spirit with which you acheive it that is what is amazing. Thank you for everything and please tell the chorus how spectacular they were. Get some rest. (Ha!) I look forward to Boston. 

 

All best,
Rob

Here are some thoughts from the YPC and Usingers during our rehearsal back stage.

Working with Robert Kapilow was a fantastic experience. He is incredibly animated and really puts life into the chorus, the orchestra, and the Jabberwocky story.

-Sarah, USingers

 

The Jabberwocky was one of my favorite childhood poems, and working with Robert Kapilow has truly brought it to life! Not only is the piece moving, but catchy as I find myself strolling down the street thinking, “Oh, what a frabjous day!” J

-       The other Sarah, Usingers

 

 This concert gives young children an opportunity to understand and appreciate a form of music generally reserved for adults. With the guidance of Robert Kapilow, the music of the YPC and NYU Usingers, and the orchestra, and the visual 

aid of the dancers, the Jabberwocky became something that even the youngest of children could become involved in.

-Susie, Usingers

 

It is my life’s ambition to spend a day alone with Robert Kapilow. He is the closest living equivalent to a teddy graham; he is small, adorable, and possibly cinammon flavored.

 

-James Nash, Young People’s Chorus

 

Things I have learned from participating in the Jabberwocky concert:

1)    The Popocateptl is definitely not in Canada.

2)    It is a fact: children officially love basses the most.

3)    It doesn’t matter if the kids dance well. All that matters is that the real dancers look good.

4)    Sometimes you don’t have to worry about hitting the right note, just make a bunch of “s” noises and Robert Kapilow, the world-renowned composer, will be more than satisfied. 

5)    Nonsense can be perfectly sensible.

            --Kayla Santosuosso, New York University Singers

 

 

今天星期五，我们唱歌唱得非常好啊！在 Alice Tully Hall, 我们跟舞者还有音乐家还有Robert Kapilow 娱乐很多的小孩子！我们很高兴！

            ～中国

人 YPC

 

雖然Jabberwocky似乎把觀眾設定為兒童，但是這場表演，與Geographical Fuge與Scherzo結合，成功地讓成人也能享受這場聽覺與視覺饗宴。此表演之目的，因為這樣的組合與羅柏卡皮洛之執導，演變成一個全新的詮釋手法：透過，節奏與旋律讓人們覺得陌生的事物變得親切熟悉。

            ---焦家鴻 Justin Chiao, New York University Singers

 

It’s been exhausting.  I had an essay draft due yesterday night at midnight, which got extended to 3:00PM today because of my choir obligations, which in the end didn’t really help because I didn’t actually have any time betw

een midnight yesterday night and 3:00PM today.  Yet, I have developed a profound respect for Rob Kapilow.  To Rob: Great job with 

the composition and direction of Jabberwocky.  Best of luck in the future.

            -Richard Zhang, NYU University Singers

* * *

Well, what is your memory of working with Robert Kapilow and the YPC?

Francisco J. Nunez

 

 

COUNTDOWN TO THE CONCERT: YPC AND SFGC AT LINCOLN CENTER

Monday, April 13 (Two hours until the concert!)

YPC and SFGC choristers spent the day rehearsing for their collaborative concert tonight at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center. When asked, “What is the best thing about this concert?”, choristers were excited to share their thoughts and feelings.


(The two choruses rehearse together.)

“We are all together and singing and I think it’s great. We sound amazing and I’m really proud and grateful to be part of this wonderful event.”
-Andrea, 16 (YPC)

(Composer Meredith Monk practices her piece "Three Heavens and Hells" with YPC.)

“The acoustics and singing in this great hall with another choir.”
-Den, 13 (SFGC)


(San Francisco Girls Chorus members take a break after rehearsal.)

“The difficulty of the music and beauty. The joy of knowing we sing well.”
-Alphea, 16 (YPC)


(YPC choristers take a break after rehearsal.)

“Being able to meet and hear another wonderful chorus from a different place and making beautifully music with them”
-Lily, 15 (SFGC)

“I enjoyed meeting all these new kids from the other chorus and uniting to perform a great concert.”
-Perry, 15 (YPC)

“The variation of music… It’s not just one kind. You won’t get bored because of the different genres.”
-Jeffri, 17 YPC)

Concert photos will be available soon on ypc.org.

REHEARSING FOR LINCOLN CENTER: YPC AND THE SAN FRANCISCO GIRLS CHORUS

Two of America's top children's choruses, the Young People's Chorus of New York City and the San Francisco Girls Chorus, will come together for a blending of East and West Coast voices on Monday, April 13 at 7:30 p.m. at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center.  

On Saturday, April 11, the two choruses met for the first time for a day of rehearsals.  Francisco Nunez (Artistic Director, YPC) and Susan McMane (Artistic Director, SFGC) led the combined choruses in a morning rehearsal with composer Gabriela Le

na Frank in preparation for the world premiere of her piece, Two Mountain Songs.  Both choruses also had the opportunity to rehearse their individual repertoire for the Alice Tully

 performance.

Choristers from both coasts had wonderful experiences:

"We are so excited to be in New York City!  We've on

ly been here for one day and we can't wait to see more of the city." 

- Mattie, 17; Catherine, 16; Emma, 16 (SFGC)

"I enjoyed getting a chance to meet Gabriela...hearing what she had to say really helped me feel the music."

- Lenice, 18 (YPC)

"It has been wonderful to experience the sound a

nd power of two different beautiful groups of musicians coming together. To be surround

ed by amazing musical composers and artists in order to create an exquisite collaboration is such a blessing. I am thankful that we can sing together, and I cannot wait until our performance on one of the world's best stages." 

- Clara, 15 (SFGC) 

"I loved working with Gabriela.  Her work is beautiful and she is a fun person to be around.  I am having so much fun with SFGC.  I can

't wait for the concert!"

- Michael, 15 (YPC)

"I liked how Gabriela Frank incorporated folk patterns and tunes into her pieces. Audiences will really appreciate her connections between classical music and relatable, cultural music."

- Marisa, 15 (SFGC) 

"It's been a great day of rehearsals! After eati

ng lunch we taught SFGC one of our favorite games, 'Run, Run, Run, My Baby.' It was a great way to relax and get to know each other." 

- Mali, 17 (YPC)

"The sounds are the sounds of heaven!" 

- Hoc Noble, YPC Board of Trustees

"Today meeting the girls from San Francisco was really fun and I found that our choirs have a lot in common.  The joint rehearsal went well and I was very inspired by Gabriella Lena Frank." 

- Meena, 14 (YPC)

"Everybody was alive today. Our voices blended beautifully and everybody singing was in high spirits. Overall today was a success!" 

- Emily Keating, 17 (YPC)