Silent Voices: Lovestate, New Victory, 2019
“The truth is that Brooklyn Youth Chorus displays tremendous musicianship, stylistic sensitivity, and vocal flexibility while powerfully demanding that listeners confront hard truths about racism, gender roles and discrimination, ageism, the social responsibilities of politics, and displaced populations. Period.”
In addition to providing unparalleled voice training and performance opportunities, Brooklyn Youth Chorus also gives singers the training and opportunity to develop and create original work. This work transcends notes on a page; encouraging singers to be authentic and vulnerable as they co-create magic for the stage.
Over the past decade, members of our Performing Ensembles have participated in the co-creation of several works for the stage. These hybrid choral/theater productions push the limits of perception for what young artists can achieve. By working with a diverse range of professional artists, singers in the Chorus are able to collaborate on original work that reflects their lives and gives them a voice.
Additionally, the Chorus has commissioned over 100 new compositions for young voices. With a heavy emphasis on BIPOC and female-identifying composers, these new works serve both to inspire and challenge our singers.
Original Productions
Brooklyn Youth Chorus has garnered a strong reputation as an arts producer. In 2019, Silent Voices: Lovestate premiered Off-Broadway at The New Victory Theater. Previous productions include the first two installments of the inclusive, social justice-oriented Silent Voices series (BAM 2017; National Sawdust 2018); Black Mountain Songs (BAM Next Wave Festival 2014); and Tell the Way (St. Ann’s Warehouse 2011). Members of the Junior Ensemble have also collaborated on the opera/theater production, Aging Magician.
Learn more about our productions and collaborations:
She is Called: Dear Stranger | Silent Voices: Lovestate | Silent Voices: If You Listen | Silent Voices | Black Mountain Songs | Aging Magician
Commissions
As a bold commissioner and producer of new music, the Chorus has introduced into the repertoire more than 120 original works and world premieres by contemporary composers, including collaborations with Pulitzer Prize-winner Caroline Shaw, Blues and R&B powerhouse Toshi Reagon, iconic British DJ Bishi, The National’s Bryce Dessner, and ubiquitous indie-classical superstar Nico Muhly.
Recordings
Recording is part of a valuable process of creation for singers at Brooklyn Youth Chorus. Not only do they participate in the creation of new work, but they are also able to follow the development of the work through to production and final recording.
The Chorus has released two original albums through New Amsterdam Records—Silent Voices (2018) and Black Mountain Songs (2017). Additionally, the Chorus has collaborated with a wide variety of professional musicians and is featured on numerous recordings.
See the full list of recordings featuring Brooklyn Youth Chorus →