Michigan Youth Chamber Singers
Last updated 5/21/25
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 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 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
(5/21/25) MYE Make-Up Auditions – 7/19/25
Michigan Youth Chamber Singers will be hosting make-up auditions for their 2025-26 Season on Saturday, July 19th. Auditions are being accepted for the following voice parts:
Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass
Audition requirements can be found via the “Auditions | Eligibility” section below. If you have further questions about make-up auditions, please reach out to the SMTD Office of Engagement & Outreach at [email protected].
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 below for next season’s schedule. NOTE: A final schedule will be sent to students accepted for the 2025-2026 MYCS Season
Instructors
CONDUCTOR / FACULTY DIRECTOR – 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
Applications for MYE 2025-2026 Season Make-Up Auditions are now avialable! Make-Up Auditions for MYCS are being accepted on the following voice pars:
Alto, Baritone, Bass, Tenor
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 for each instrument are listed below:
- 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
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 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.
Application Fee Waiver
Please view this page to review the qualifications and the documentation you will need to provide. 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.
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