Young Voices of Colorado is a comprehensive vocal music program for children ages 5-18.
Young Voices of Colorado offers six performing choirs, where children can fulfill their needs to express music with peers in an inspirational and meaningful way. Each of these groups provides skill development in vocal technique, music theory, music history, sight-reading, choral artistry and performance style, as it prepares some of the finest music available for concert performances, community outreach, festivals and eventually foreign travel.
Admission into YVC is based on interest, enthusiasm and commitment rather than exceptional music ability. Children from all economic, racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds are encouraged to join. Singers come from a wide geographic area and many participate through scholarships provided by supporters of Young Voices.
Choral music is not one of life’s frills, It is something that goes to the very heart of humanity, our sense of community and our souls. – John Rutter
Young Voices of Colorado is made up of three divisions:
The Pre-Choir Division
Young Voices introduced a new Pre-Choir Division for children in Kindergarten and 1st Grade in the fall of 2015. In First Voices, children explore various facets of music through singing. Our goal is to instill a love of music in young children and their families.
Since the beginning of time, children have not liked to study. They would much rather play, and if you have their interests at heart, you will let them learn while they play. ~ Carl Orff
Tell me, I forget. Show me, I remember. Involve me, I understand. ~ Carl Orff
Any child can be developed. It depends on how you do it. ~ Shinichi Suzuki
As the early years of a child’s life are the most impressionable, we aim to use that window of opportunity to teach the basic skills of musicianship, music literacy and expression in a sequential approach, based upon studies of child development. Through musical play children joyfully explore music in singing, games, and movement, often leading them to further music study or simply to a more enjoyable and enriched life.
Kodály once stated, Only the best music is good enough for our children. And that’s what we believe!
The Training Choir Division
Children of similar skill level participate in choirs appropriate for their age and development. Each of these choirs performs several times per year.
In the olden days, everybody sang. You were expected to sing as well as talk. It was a mark of the cultured man to sing. ~ Leonard Bernstein
Talent is only the starting point. ~ Irving Berlin
Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy. ~ Ludwig von Beethoven
Advanced Performing Ensembles Division
Build on the skills they have acquired during their training choir years, further develop their musicianship, and grow as artists through more sophisticated music and performance opportunities, including our Sing A Mile High International Children’s Choral Festival, and the optional opportunity to travel abroad.
The future of our nation depends on providing our children with a complete education that includes music. ~ President Gerald Ford
When young children are consistently engaged by music in an age-appropriate, socially accepting environment, they benefit at many levels including social-emotional, physical, creative, quantitative and early literacy. And, of course, they develop a lifelong love of music. ~ author unknown
Auditions
Auditions for the Training Choir Division and Advanced Performing Ensembles Division are held each spring and summer to determine placement of prospective singers in one of our six ensembles. We hold additional auditions for admission to our training choirs (TrebleMakers, Choristers and Brio) in January of each year.
Our Program
Now in our 28th season, we have grown into a 200 member organization that offers outstanding music education in vocal technique, music theory, music history, sight reading, choral artistry and performance style. United through the study and performance of great choral music, the children discover that music is a bridge to understanding. Training instills the importance of hard work, dedication, commitment, responsibility and integrity. Weekly rehearsals are enhanced by workshops, fall and winter retreats, performances and touring.
Musical concepts are taught through great masterpieces of the choral tradition from the Renaissance to the most challenging contemporary pieces. These sacred and secular works, sung in many languages, serve as the basis for our curriculum.
Lifelong friendship are nurtured in Young Voices.
Our Mission is to achieve excellence in children’s choral music through education and performance.
Our Vision is to create an energetic atmosphere as a family of musicians dedicated to choral artistry, expressive singing, music literacy, and extraordinary performance opportunities. We seek to serve our community with culture and entertainment and to develop leadership, commitment and discipline within our singers.
Our Goal is to train young singers and provide for the development of comprehensive musicianship skills and literacy which lead to breathtaking magical performances at the highest artistic level.
Young Voices of Colorado is a non-profit corporation recognized by the Colorado Secretary of State and sanctioned by the Internal Revenue Service under section 501(c) 3. We are governed by a Board of Directors of community volunteers, who take responsibility for the fiscal, legal and ethical affairs of the organization.