Above: guest conductor Dr. Bryson Mortensen leading the 2016 Young Singers Project in performance at Norfolk's Ohef Sholom Temple.
EDUCATION
YOUNG SINGERS PROJECT
Now entering its twenty-third year, the Young Singers Project is the Virginia Chorale's flagship educational outreach program. The YSP is a unique opportunity for select high school students from across the region to be mentored by the professional singers of the Chorale in an intensive rehearsal and performance process. YSP alumni have gone on to study at the finest conservatories in the United States and are active musicians (both professional and amateur) across Virginia and beyond.
The Young Singers Project showcases some of the best high school singers in southeastern Virginia. Students are selected in a highly competitive audition process each fall; once selected they sing alongside and are mentored by professional singers from the Chorale. Our 2023 YSP ensemble will be conducted by Artistic Director Charles Woodward and will take on a new and exciting opportunity for the students. The YSP ensemble will join with the full Virginia Chorale ensemble in a joint concert- Lift Every Voice: Music of Black Women Composers.
In 2017, The Virginia Chorale was proud to join WHRO Community TV in a special partnership: the 2017 Young Singers Project was filmed by WHRO - from auditions to performance - and produced as a documentary, Young Singers Project: A Life in 140 Characters, which has been broadcast locally, streamed online, and made available to National Public Television for national broadcast.
Registration for YSP 2023 auditions are now closed.
The Young Singers Project showcases some of the best high school singers in southeastern Virginia. Students are selected in a highly competitive audition process each fall; once selected they sing alongside and are mentored by professional singers from the Chorale. Our 2023 YSP ensemble will be conducted by Artistic Director Charles Woodward and will take on a new and exciting opportunity for the students. The YSP ensemble will join with the full Virginia Chorale ensemble in a joint concert- Lift Every Voice: Music of Black Women Composers.
In 2017, The Virginia Chorale was proud to join WHRO Community TV in a special partnership: the 2017 Young Singers Project was filmed by WHRO - from auditions to performance - and produced as a documentary, Young Singers Project: A Life in 140 Characters, which has been broadcast locally, streamed online, and made available to National Public Television for national broadcast.
Registration for YSP 2023 auditions are now closed.
2023 Performances
Young Singers Project in Concert with the Virginia Chorale
Lift Every Voice: Music of Black Women Composers
Feb. 4, 2023 | 7:30 PM
Virginia Wesleyan University
Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center
Feb. 5, 2023 | 4:00 PM
Royster Memorial Presbyterian Church
6901 Newport Ave.
Norfolk, VA 23505
Lift Every Voice: Music of Black Women Composers
Feb. 4, 2023 | 7:30 PM
Virginia Wesleyan University
Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center
Feb. 5, 2023 | 4:00 PM
Royster Memorial Presbyterian Church
6901 Newport Ave.
Norfolk, VA 23505
As a homeschool student, YSP was the perfect program for me to be challenged and learn beautiful music side by side other very talented musicians. Everyone involved was incredibly supportive, helpful, and extremely easy and fun to work with. I would recommend YSP to any high schooler wanting to grow in their musicianship as a singer and performer."
Ava Stevenson, YSP 2020
Ava is currently pursuing her Bachelors in vocal performance at Old Dominion University.
Ava Stevenson, YSP 2020
Ava is currently pursuing her Bachelors in vocal performance at Old Dominion University.
YSP was my first experience in a professional choir. Being able to work alongside the members of the Virginia Chorale and be mentored by them was an invaluable experience. This experience ultimately helped me get into college. I started taking private voice lessons with a Chorale member to prep for auditions, and ended up going to the college the YSP guest conductor was from. The professional relationships that I built during YSP have continued to contribute to my musical career, as I am now a member of the Virginia Chorale myself (which has been an aspiration of mine since participating in YSP).
Serena Stump YSP 2017
Serena received her BMA in Applied Music with a concentration in Choral/Vocal Music from Virginia Wesleyan University, summa cum laude (2021) and MAEd from VWU (2022)
Serena Stump YSP 2017
Serena received her BMA in Applied Music with a concentration in Choral/Vocal Music from Virginia Wesleyan University, summa cum laude (2021) and MAEd from VWU (2022)
I absolutely loved YSP. It was an amazing experience that I will always remember fondly. The difficulty of the music was very motivating and really made the choir something special. We weren't just another high school choir, we really accomplished a lot of things. Using the Chorale members and the professionalism of the director had a huge impact on the way I sing and the way I approach choral music.
Jon Paul, YSP 2012-14
Currently pursuing a degree in Nuclear Engineering at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY.
Jon Paul, YSP 2012-14
Currently pursuing a degree in Nuclear Engineering at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY.
The Young Singers Project was the best music program I have ever been a part of. Having a mentor to help us learn these challenging pieces and grow as musicians is such a great experience and one I will never forget.
Rylee Worstell, YSP 2015-16
Currently a senior at Jamestown High School in Williamsburg, VA.
Rylee Worstell, YSP 2015-16
Currently a senior at Jamestown High School in Williamsburg, VA.
I loved YSP! The entire experience was a challenge and it pushed me in my music-reading ability.
Cailin Gwaltney, YSP 2014
Currently pursuing a degree in Vocal Performance at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA.
Cailin Gwaltney, YSP 2014
Currently pursuing a degree in Vocal Performance at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA.
