Michigan Youth Chamber Singers
Updated May 18, 2026
Make-Up Application Deadline: July 6, 2026
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 Vocal Intensives. 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 master classes, audition technique workshops, vocal diction and more! New for 2026-2027, those who opt into the MYCS Vocal Intensives will receive Bi-Weekly private voice lessons from current SMTD Graduate Students!
Participation in MYCS Vocal Intensives is optional for MYCS participants and not required to participate in the full ensemble. Participation in MYCS Vocal Intensives is only open to students participating in the MYCS Full Ensemble. Participation in only the MYCS Vocal Intensives is not permitted.
MYCS Announcements
(5/18/26) Make-Up Auditions Available
Information on Make-Up Auditions is now available! See the Auditions & Eligibility section below for more information. Eligible voice parts for make-up auditions: Baritone, Bass and Tenor.
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 this regular time and location unless otherwise noted.
MYCS Season Schedule
Select the link below for next season’s schedule. NOTE: A final 2026-2027 season schedule will be sent to students upon acceptance into the MYE program following auditions.
Instructors
Matthew Abernathy
Assistant Professor / Associate Director of Choirs
Joining the School of Music, Theatre & Dance Fall 2025, Dr. Matthew Abernathy brings a wealth of experience to his role as Assistant Professor / Associate Director of Choirs.
Dr. Abernathy previously served as artistic director of the Master Chorale of Tampa Bay, the principal chorus for the Florida Orchestra, where he led a 140-voice symphonic chorus that performed major choral-orchestral works. He continued the Master Chorale’s long-standing legacy of supporting the work of living composers and has commissioned music by Nico Gutierrez, Natalie Draper, Joan Szymko, and many others. He further developed a comprehensive community engagement program reaching all ages throughout Tampa Bay.
Dr. Abernathy also served as the music director of Minnesota Opera’s youth opera program Project Opera, their Children’s Chorus director, and guest chorus master. Prior engagements include work as the chorus master for the Lakes Area Music Festival and regular work as an assistant conductor/section leader with the Minnesota Chorale, including for their recording of Mahler Symphony No. 8 (BIS Records) with Minnesota Orchestra.
Auditions & Eligibility
*Make-Up Application Deadline: July 6, 2026
Make-Up Live Auditions: July 11, 2026
Michigan Youth Chamber Singers Audition Requirements
Students must submit a Michigan Youth Ensembles application and pay a non-refundable $30 application fee before their audition date. Fee waivers are available for those who qualify based on financial need (please view financial aid information below). Be sure to select your audition time after you submit your MYE application. Auditions are held IN-PERSON in the Earl V. Moore Music Building. Specific audition requirements include:
- 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
*Eligible voice parts for make-up auditions: Baritone, Bass and Tenor
Early Decision for Make-Up Auditions
Students have the option of auditioning in-person, or submitting an application with a video recording of all required materials in lieu of an in-person audition. Those who submit a video audition with all required audition materials will receive a decision on their admission within one week of submitting their application.
Eligibility
Students interested in the Michigan Youth Chamber Singers must be enrolled in grades 9 (nine) through 12 (twelve) for the 2026-2027 academic year. Michigan Youth Chamber Singers accepts 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 2026-27 MYE Season
- Full Ensemble + MYCS Vocal Intensives Tuition – $545
- Full Ensemble (NO MYCS Vocal Intesnives) Tuition – $420
- Non-refundable application fee – $30
A discounted tuition rate of $375.00 per additional ensemble is available for musicians who participate in multiple ensembles. This discount is applied to the ensemble of equal or lesser value.
Refund Policy
Full refunds of MYE tuition are only available before the first regularly scheduled rehearsal of the current concert season. Find full details: SMTD Engagement and Outreach Refund Policy
Application Fee Waiver
Review the qualifications and the documentation you will need to provide here: How can I apply for a fee waiver for my application? Qualified students/families will reach out to the Acceptd Support team to request a waiver code to waive the $30 application fee. Fill out this fee waiver form to request a code.
Need-based Scholarship
A limited number of need-informed scholarships are available to families with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $125,000 or under in the previous calendar year, or with special circumstances. 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
The William E. Root Engagement & Outreach Fund supports SMTD’s Engagement & Outreach Programs, with a preference for scholarships for participants in the Michigan Youth Ensembles. This fund allows us to fully support multiple students each MYE season.
Contact Us
Office of Engagement & Outreach-Youth & Adult Programs
University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance
Stearns Building │ 2005 Baits Drive │ Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Phone: 734-936-2660
Email: [email protected]
Emails and phone lines are monitored at the following times
Monday – Friday, 9:30 am – 4:00 pm EST