Michigan Youth Chamber Singers
Last updated 7/15/24
UPDATE! – FALL 2024 SEMESTER REPERTOIRE
We’re excited to announce MYCS’ repertoire for the Fall 2024 Semester! See below for selections:
- C. Tindley, The Storm is Passing Over
- S. Choukeir, Lao Rahal Soti
- A. Ramsey, And Joy is Everywhere
- J. Hagen, needle and thread (from “This is How We Love”)
- T. Will, Stabat mater
- M. Hogan, I’ll make the difference
The Michigan Youth Chamber Singers (MYCS) is a select SATB choir composed of outstanding vocalists from across the region. Students interact with U-M SMTD faculty and graduate students to perform challenging standard chamber choir repertoire. Michigan Youth Chamber Singers is open to advanced high-school aged singers.
Students will also have the opportunity to opt-in to MYCS youth vocal itensives. These intensives allow pre-college singers to immerse themselves in a variety of vocal subjects led by voice faculty and graduates students out of U-M’S School of Music, Theatre & Dance. Intensive examples include voice masterclasses, audition technique workshops, vocal diction and more!
Participation in the Bi-Weekly Voice Events hosted by SMTD Vocal Faculty is optional for MYCS Ensemble participants and not required to participate in the ensemble. Participation in the Bi-Weekly Voice Events hosted by SMTD Vocal Faculty is only open to students participating in the MYCS Full Ensemble. Participation in only the Bi-Weekly Voice Events is not allowed.
MYCS Announcements
(6/25/24) MYCS Make-Up Auditions Available – 7/20/24
There’s still time to submit a make-up audition for MYCS’ 2024-25 season! Make-up auditions are being accepted up through Saturday, July 20th, 2024. Information can be found in the “Auditions | Eligibility” section below. Contact the Office of Engagement & Outreach ([email protected]) if you have any questions.
Rehearsal Information
Time: Sundays, 1:00-3:30 PM
Location: McIntosh Theatre
E. V. Moore Music Building
(U-M North Campus, 1100 Baits Dr, Ann Arbor, MI 48109)
All rehearsals / events will take place at that above listed time and location unless otherwise noted
MYCS Season Schedule
Click the button below to access next season’s schedule
Instructors
CONDUCTOR/FACULTY DIRECTOR – REED CRIDDLE
Visiting Professor / Visiting Associate Director of Choirs
Dr. Reed Criddle is Director of Choral Activities at Utah Valley University, where he conducts the Chamber Choir and Men’s Choir and teaches conducting and voice. In recognition of his innovative pedagogy and professional work as a composer and conductor, Utah Valley University has presented him with the School of the Arts Dean’s Award, two Faculty Senate Excellence Awards, and the Presidential Fellowship Award.
As a conductor and U.S. Fulbright Senior Scholar, he has directed ensembles, conducted research, and led workshops throughout Europe, Asia, Cuba, and the United States. Dr. Criddle has served as president of the Utah chapter of the American Choral Directors Association. UVU choirs under his direction have performed many times at the national conference of NCCO, the western division conference of ACDA, and state conferences of the ACDA and NAfME.
Dr. Criddle’s compositions have been performed worldwide by a large variety of ensembles like Musikhochschüle Lübeck Kammerchor (Germany), Beijing Queer Chorus (China), Hollywood Master Chorale (California), National University of Singapore International Festival Chorus, and Auckland Welsh Choir (New Zealand). He has recently guest-lectured at institutions such as the Hochschüle für Musik Franz Liszt Weimar (Germany), California State University (Los Angeles), Taipei University of the Arts (Taiwan), Foguangshan Buddhist College (Taiwan), and the Technical University of Kenya. His compositions and arrangements are available through Earthsongs, Hal Leonard, Santa Barbara Music Publishing, and North Star Music.
He is a graduate of Stanford University, the Eastman School of Music, and the University of Michigan.
Auditions | Eligibility
Applications for make up auditions for the 2024-2025 MYCS Season are now available. See below for application / audition requirements
Make Up auditions are being accepted on all voice parts
2024-2025 MICHIGAN YOUTH CHAMBER SINGERS MAKE UP APPLICATION / AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
- Prepare specific audition materials listed below and upload them to your application before submitting (see below for requirements).
- Complete the 2024-2025 Michigan Youth Ensembles Application via the button below.
- Pay the non-refundable $30 application fee. Fee waivers are available for those who qualify based on financial need (contact Engagement & Outreach Staff for more information).
- Submit your completed application with recorded audition materials by 5:00 P.M. Saturday, July 20th, 2024
*NOTE*: All make up auditions for the Michigan Youth Chamber Singers 2024-2025 season will be submitted virtually. No live make up auditions will be held.
Audition materials for all MYCS applicants are as follows:
- A vocalization that showcases the singer’s highest and lowest ranges. This can be done either with five note scales or octave arpeggios (1-3-5-8-5-3-1) on a neutral syllable of their choosing.
- A classical solo that best demonstrates the singer’s voice with a piano accompaniment (a backing track or live pianist can be used in your recording).
ELIGIBILITY
Students interested in the Michigan Youth Chamber Singers must be enrolled in grades 9 (nine) through 12 (twelve) for the 2024-2025 academic year. Michigan Youth Chamber Singers accepts any singers of ALL voice parts (i.e. soprano, alto, tenor, bass/baritone).
For questions about applications, audition requirements, or the audition process, feel free to contact SMTD Engagement & Outreach Staff via email at [email protected].
Tuition | Fees | Scholarships
Updated for the 2024-2025 MYE Season
Full Ensemble + SMTD Bi-Weekly Voice Events Tuition – $500.00
Full Ensemble (NO Bi-Weekly Voice Events) Tuition – $375.00
Non-refundable application fee – $30
A discounted tuition rate of $330.00 per additional ensemble is available for musicians who participate in multiple ensembles. This discount is applied to the ensemble of equal or lesser value.
Need-based Scholarship
A limited number of need-based scholarships are available to families with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $100,000 or under in the previous calendar year, or with special circumstances due to the pandemic. To be considered you must upload your financial aid materials by the application deadline as part of your application. This includes:
- Monthly Expenses
- Previous Year’s Tax Return
- Statement of Need
Refund Policy
Full refunds of MYE tuition are only available before the first regularly scheduled rehearsal of the current concert season. Those wishing to learn more about the MYE Refund Policy can do so by clicking here: SMTD Engagement and Outreach refund policy
Contact Us
Email at [email protected]
Phone at (734) 936-2660
The Engagement & Outreach Staff monitors emails / phone lines at the following times:
- Monday – Friday, 9:30 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. EST