Miami Valley Youth Choir
Our Mission
The mission of the Miami Valley Youth Choir is to provide an artistic community for youth in area as they develop as people and as musicians. Participation in the choir affords students the opportunity to develop in artistic performance and music appreciation. Via the medium of choral rehearsal and performance, youth will experience a sense of belonging, the joy of hard work, and the pride of accomplishment.
Miami Valley Youth Choir weekly rehearsals will provide artistic training that includes:
Vocal Skills - breathing, tone production, flexibility, range, posture
Musicianship - music reading, dynamics, tempo, expression
Ear training - pitch matching, part singing
Musical Repertoire - various musical styles and genres
Our History
The Miami Valley Youth Choir was born out of the interest of parents looking for a creative outlet for their children. Barbara Cooper had dreamed of starting a community children’s choir in the northern Miami Valley since her daughter was young. The timing was never quite right until the spring of 2021 when several parents expressed interest and she connected with Julie Collins online. Julie’s willingness and skills were the impetus to make the dream a reality! After planning together through the spring and summer the first season was launched in the fall of 2021.
Our Staff
Barbara Cooper serves as the director of the Miami Valley Youth Choir. She holds a Bachelor‘s of Music Education and has taught in the public school system in Ohio. She also holds a Master of Divinity degree and is an ordained clergy person in the UMC. Barbara has been a church musician for about as long as she can remember! She currently teaches piano and voice at her private studio, Babsongs Studio, in Tipp City, OH.
Julie Collins serves as the accompanist for MVYC. Julie holds a Bachelor’s of Music Education and a Masters in Education. She has over 24 years of teaching experience in private and public settings.
Caitlyn Hood is our student intern. Caitlyn is currently enrolled at the University of Dayton and is working on a degree in music composition. She writes a song for the choir each year and adds so much to our program!
https://www.aceohio.org/
ACE Ohio Service Provider
Ohio Afterschool Child Enrichment (ACE) Educational Savings Account program allows families to submit receipts from qualified providers for reimbursement. Miami Valley Youth Choir is now a qualified educational service provider, so you can receive reimbursement for all of the registration costs!
Chorus & Ensemble
Two Groups
We currently have two singing groups, divided by age and experience. The CHORUS is for younger kids, aged 6-12. The ENSEMBLE is for the older students, ages 13-18. Depending on experience, maturity, and ability we sometimes move 12-year olds into the older group.
MVYC SCHEDULE
Schedule
Rehearsals are held on Tuesday evenings:
6:30-7:30 p.m. for CHORUS members
7:30-8:30 p.m. for ENSEMBLE members
2023-2024 Dates
September 5 - December 5
Concert - Sunday, December 10
January 9 - April 16
Concert - Sunday, April 21
Additional Opportunities
Saturday, September 23 - Mum Festival Parade
Sunday, December 3 - Spina Bifida Fundraiser
Cost
Registration fee is $150 per semester.
$300 covers the entire year.
Cost includes all activities and choir shirt.
Music and all educational materials will be provided.