The Youth Chorus of Kansas City was founded in the summer of 2017 to provide ambitious young student singers throughout the Kansas City area an opportunity to grow their musical skills and abilities, pursue excellence and develop leadership skills through outstanding performance. Still in its first season, the chorus has had several public performances and concerts and is rapidly growing in popularity with enthusiastic young singers and audiences.
“I believe students should have a fun, uplifting, and rewarding musical experience in every rehearsal and performance,” explains founder and artistic director Ryan Main, a veteran educator, director, clinician and composer. “Our mission is to teach, inspire and empower young singers to be lifelong music makers who seek excellence in everything they do.”
The Youth Chorus of Kansas City is proudly inclusive, embracing and representing the diversity of Kansas City. Additionally, YCKC makes scholarships available to families in need, with almost 40% of students currently on scholarship.
Students in the Youth Chorus of Kansas City are expected to participate in their school music programs. “The Youth Chorus of Kansas City is not a replacement for a school choir,” Main explains. “In fact, YCKC works in harmony with schools to help students develop skills and contribute to their programs as leaders.”
This season, the Youth Chorus Theme was “The Poet Sings,” a celebration of the settings of famous poets, and the theme for the upcoming concert will be “A Million Dreams,” the music of hope, perseverance, and promise.
In addition to holding themed concerts throughout its inaugural season, the youth chorus has also performed for large audiences, caroling during the holidays in Kansas City and performing the national anthem for the Harlem Globetrotters.
Beyond its 2017-2018 season, the second annual YCKC Summer Sing! program will kick off this June. “It’s an excellent opportunity for students and families to see what YCKC is all about,” says Ryan. “They will spend a week singing, learning, and building friendships that will last a lifetime.” The Summer Sing! fills up quickly – interested singers can register at www.youthchoruskc.org.
Songs from the Theme “The Poet Sings”
The Poet Sings – Z Randall Stroope; Adventures of Isabelle – Andrea Ramsey; The Arrow and the Song – Christopher Matthews; What Do the Stars Do? – Sherri Porterfield; I Believe – Mark Miller; Hope Is the Thing With Feathers – arr. Susan LaBarr; I Dream a World – Rollo Dilworth
Songs from the theme “A Million Dreams”
A Million Dreams – Benj Pasek & Justin Paul, arr. Mac Huff; Will There Really Be A “Morning”? – Craig Hella Johnson; When I Close My Eyes – Jim Papoulis; The Dream Keeper – Rollo Dilworth; I Am – Melanie Horne; Dream Big – Ryan Shupe
Other repertoire from the Youth Chorus of Kansas City
Autumn Gives Her Hand to Winter – Keith Loftis; This Is Winter – Amy Bernon; Jing-a-ling, Jing-a-ling – arr. Mac Huff; I Ask For One Day – Jim Papoulis; A la Media Noche – arr. Greg Gilpin; Salangadou – Susan Brumfield; How Can I Keep From Singing? – arr. Stephen Rew; Beneath the African Sky – Paul Caldwell & Sean Ivory; Everlasting Melody – Rollo Dilworth; Cantate Domino – Ken Berg; Inanay – Lou Bennett
