Michigan Youth Chamber Singers
Last updated 12/13/24
WINTER 2025 SEMESTER REPERTOIRE
We’re excited to announce MYCS’ repertoire for the Winter 2025 Semester! See below for selections:
- J.L. Cook, Time
- M. DeMore, Lead with Love
- C. Dent, My Lord! What a Morning
- G.F. Handel, Sing Unto God (from “Judas Maccabaeus”)
- arr. M. Hogan, Wade in the Water
- A. Ramsey, I See the Heaven’s Glories Shine
- B. Withers, Lovely Day
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
(12/13/24) Applications for 2025-26 MYE Season OPEN!
Applications for the 2025-2026 Michigan Youth Chamber Singers Season are now available. Be sure to check the “Auditions | Eligibility” section below for audition / application requirements. Live auditions will occur at the Earl V. Moore Music Building in April 2025.
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
See below for this season’s / next season’s ensemble schedule
Instructors (updated for Winter 2025)
CO CONDUCTOR – KENNETH SIELOFF
Doctoral Candidate in Choral Conducting
Kenneth Sieloff is a conductor and music educator devoted to building community and fostering meaningful connections among musicians and audiences through the transformative power of music. Recognized for his artistry and talent for encouraging camaraderie in rehearsals and performances, he brings an inspiring leadership style to every ensemble he conducts.
Currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting at the University of Michigan, Ken studies with Eugene Rogers and serves as Assistant Conductor of the Women’s Glee Club, Associate Conductor of the Orpheus Singers, and Winter-Semester Conductor of the Michigan Youth Chamber Singers. He earned his Master of Music in Choral Conducting from the University of North Texas in 2022, where he studied with esteemed mentors Allen Hightower, Marques L. A. Garrett, and Kristina MacMullen. During his time at UNT, Ken served as Conductor of the UNT Chorale and Associate Conductor of the A Cappella Choir, Vox Aquilae, and University Singers.
Ken began his conducting journey at the University of Michigan, where he earned his Bachelor of Music Education and was mentored by renowned educators Paul Rardin, Julie Skadsem, Eugene Rogers, and Jerry Blackstone. As an undergraduate, he earned first place in the ACDA National Student Conducting Competition in 2011.
From 2013 to 2022, Ken taught choral music in Texas, spending seven years at Permian High School in Odessa. Under his leadership, Permian choirs achieved state and regional acclaim and won national honors, including the Foundation for Music Education Mark of Excellence Award and the American Prize in Choral Performance. In 2017, the Texas Choral Directors Association named him a “Young Director of Distinction.” In 2023, he conducted the Arkansas All-State Tenor-Bass Choir and continues to serve as a clinician and adjudicator for regional and district honor choirs annually.
Auditions | Eligibility
Applications for the 2025-2026 Michigan Youth Ensembles Season will be available Friday, December 13, 2024. See below for application / audition requirements for our next season.
2025-2026 MICHIGAN YOUTH CHAMBER SINGERS APPLICATION / AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
- Prepare specific audition materials listed below and upload them to your application before submitting (see below for requirements).
- Complete the 2025-2026 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).
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 2025-2026 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 2025-2026 MYE Season
Full Ensemble + SMTD Bi-Weekly Voice Events Tuition – $525.00
Full Ensemble (NO Bi-Weekly Voice Events) Tuition – $400.00
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.
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