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The Cleveland Orchestra Youth Chorus

Cleveland Orchestra Youth Chorus (COYC)


The Cleveland Orchestra Youth Chorus was founded in 1991 to raise interest in choral music within the schools of northeastern Ohio, and to encourage more students to continue their choral activities through college and into adulthood. The Youth Chorus comprises of approximately 90 members in grades 9 through 12 and represents almost 40 schools and communities. Like their colleagues in the Youth Orchestra, they are selected by audition.

On average, the Youth Chorus presents five concerts each season and collaborates with other musical ensembles such as The Cleveland Orchestra, the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra, and the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus. In addition to performances at Severance Music Center, their activities include concerts and community engagement programs throughout the greater Cleveland area, as well as workshops and masterclass opportunities with highly regarded choral directors and clinicians.

The Cleveland Orchestra Youth Chorus has been led by Gareth Morell (1991-98), Betsy Burleigh (1998-2006), Frank Bianchi (2006-12), Lisa Wong (2012-17), and Daniel Singer (2017-present). The ensemble has been widely praised as one of the top high-school-aged choral performing ensembles in the state of Ohio.

Work by The Cleveland Orchestra Youth Chorus