“Brooklyn Youth Chorus has adopted an innovative approach to training young singers, one that preserves classic repertory and absorbs new sounds.”
At Brooklyn Youth Chorus, we offer more than just vocal training; we cultivate the ambitions of our students, exposing them to the vast possibilities within music, future careers, and their community, ultimately helping them realize their voices truly matter. We treat young voices as a precious resource, embracing a modern, healthy approach to vocal development through a diverse repertoire spanning various genres and composers, ensuring our students thrive. Beyond singing, our collaborative learning environment, led by facilitators, instills valuable team-working skills and accountability, demonstrating how their dedication extends to all areas of life, making their hard work visibly empowering.
Learn more about our divisions below, including the curriculum, training schedule, tuition, and more.
PRE-PREPARATORY DIVISION (meets once a week)
The Pre-Preparatory Division is a play-based program for 5-6 year olds, designed to build foundational music skills and foster a love for singing without an audition.
Pre-Preparatory - Ages 5-6 (No audition necessary)
TRAINING DIVISIONS (meets once a week)
Brooklyn Youth Chorus's Training Divisions are where students begin, learning and progressing at their own pace based on musical ability.
PERFORMING ENSEMBLES
(a parallel track for Ages 11-18, meets multiple times a week)
Performing Ensembles represent the highest level for advanced singers, offering more rigorous training and diverse performance opportunities.
Junior Ensemble - for choristers with treble voices (soprano alto)
Bass Ensemble - for choristers with changed voices (tenors, baritones, basses)
Concert Ensemble - for choristers with treble voices (soprano alto)
Joining Brooklyn Youth Chorus
Registration is now open. Classes are held in person 1-3 times weekly from 1-2 hours, depending on the age group and level.
No prior experience is required to sing with Brooklyn Youth Chorus. However, an audition is required in order to be placed within the Chorus. Audition dates are held on a rolling basis. Click here to view upcoming audition dates.
Our Approach
Brooklyn Youth Chorus students are trained using the Cross-Choral Training® method, a proven holistic and experiential approach to teaching voice and musicianship in a group setting, designed by Founder & Artistic Director Dianne Berkun Menaker. It is a functional voice training based on voice science and health and a comprehensive approach to building sight-reading and music literacy skills that builds a foundation for healthy singing across a wide variety of genres and styles.
We don’t separate doing from knowing. All students have an opportunity to perform and demonstrate their growing skills. From the little kids to the big ones, our students inspire each other across all divisions. We’re invested in each other’s success.
Our goal is to develop each individual singer’s full musical potential, so that when they perform within the group, they are able to co-create magic with each other.
Training Divisions
Upon joining Brooklyn Youth Chorus, we assess each student’s musical ability, experience and maturity before finding them a home among our divisions: Pre-Preparatory, Preparatory, Pre-Teen, Teen, and Advanced Performing Ensembles.
Students are able to progress each year in an age-appropriate setting based on their desired level of commitment and demonstrated ability. Offering multiple levels allows students to enter with any degree of skill and experience and progress at their own speed.
Performing Ensembles
Our advanced treble singers join the Junior or Concert Ensembles, while advanced tenors and basses (changed voice singers) join the Bass Ensemble.
Performing ensemble members study and perform a wide range of diverse choral music in three to six voice parts and in many languages, including choral masterworks with orchestra. With more rehearsal time and a vigorous training program, these choristers attain the highest reaches of vocal performance. Students in our performing ensembles have the opportunity to perform and record in a wide variety of settings and styles.