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 eighteenth 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 work side-by-side with professional singers from the Chorale under the direction of a prominent guest conductor - Dr. Bryson Mortensen, Director of Choirs at Virginia Wesleyan College.
The Virginia Chorale is proud to join WHRO Community TV in a special partnership: the 2017 Young Singers Project will be filmed by WHRO - from auditions to performance - and produced as a documentary to be broadcast locally, streamed online, and made available to National Public Television for national broadcast.
Click here for information on the 2017 Young Singers Project In Concert.
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 work side-by-side with professional singers from the Chorale under the direction of a prominent guest conductor - Dr. Bryson Mortensen, Director of Choirs at Virginia Wesleyan College.
The Virginia Chorale is proud to join WHRO Community TV in a special partnership: the 2017 Young Singers Project will be filmed by WHRO - from auditions to performance - and produced as a documentary to be broadcast locally, streamed online, and made available to National Public Television for national broadcast.
Click here for information on the 2017 Young Singers Project In Concert.
GUEST CONDUCTOR
The Virginia Chorale is pleased to welcome Dr. Bryson Mortensen as guest conductor for the 2017 Young Singers Project. Dr. Mortensen holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting & Voice from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, as well as a Master of Music in Choral Conducting and Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Brigham Young University (Provo, UT). He has conducted the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra Chorus and the Festival Choir of Madison, WI, and has sung with the Bach Chamber Choir, the Baroque Artists of Urbana-Champaign, and the Deseret Chamber Singers. Dr. Mortensen currently serves as Director of Choirs at Virginia Wesleyan College, where he conducts the Virginia Wesleyan Chorale and Virginia Wesleyan Singers and teaches courses in choral music education and music history.
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.
2017 SCHEDULE
Rehearsal and performance venues are TBA.
AUDITIONS (by appointment only)
Sunday, November 20 - Christopher Newport University's Ferguson Center for the Arts, Newport News
Monday, November 21 - Ohef Sholom Temple, Norfolk
REHEARSALS
Saturday, January 7
Saturday, January 14
Sunday, January 15
Saturday, January 21
Sunday, January 22
Saturday, January 28
PERFORMANCE
Sunday, January 29, 4pm - Robin Hixon Theater, Virginia Arts Festival Clay & Jay Barr Education Center, Norfolk
AUDITIONS (by appointment only)
Sunday, November 20 - Christopher Newport University's Ferguson Center for the Arts, Newport News
Monday, November 21 - Ohef Sholom Temple, Norfolk
REHEARSALS
Saturday, January 7
Saturday, January 14
Sunday, January 15
Saturday, January 21
Sunday, January 22
Saturday, January 28
PERFORMANCE
Sunday, January 29, 4pm - Robin Hixon Theater, Virginia Arts Festival Clay & Jay Barr Education Center, Norfolk
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.
2017 AUDITIONS
Auditions for the 2017 Young Singers Project are now closed.
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.
