Young People's Chorus Of New York City Named “Choir Of The World” At International Kathaumixw Competition

The Young People's Chorus of New York City (YPC), led by Associate Artistic Director Elizabeth Núñez, was named "Choir of the World" following two first-place wins in the 'Children's Choir' and 'Contemporary Choral Music' categories at the 18th biennial International Choral Kathaumixw competition and festival in Powell River, British Columbia, Canada, from July 3-7, 2018. Festival Artistic Director Walter Martella announced YPC as the "Choir of the World" during closing ceremonies on Saturday, July 7. YPC is the first North American choir to win the title in the competition's more than 30-year history.

YPC competed in three out of seven preliminary categories against 21 adult and children's choirs from around the world and placed first in the 'Children's Choir' and 'Contemporary Choral Music' categories. This advanced them to the final round against five other first-place winning children's and adult choirs, including Echology (Australia), Prairie Voices (Canada), Choir of Maritime University of Szcecin (Poland), Ad Una Corda (Slovak Republic), and Cantabella Children's Chorus (United States), from which YPC was chosen "Choir of the World."

On Thursday, July 12, at 7:00 p.m. New Yorkers will have the opportunity to hear selections from YPC's award-winning Canadian program in a free pre-curtain concert prior to the Classical Theatre of Harlem's Antigone, held at the Richard Rodgers Amphitheater in Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem.

The Young People's Chorus of New York City is a world-renowned youth chorus founded in 1988 on a mission of diversity, artistic excellence, and education by Artistic Director Francisco J. Núñez, a MacArthur Fellow and Musical America's 2018 Educator of the Year. Under the leadership of Mr. Núñez and Associate Artistic Director Elizabeth Núñez, the program has harnessed the power of music to fulfill the potential of children, heightening an awareness of the ability of children to rise to unforeseen levels of artistry. Over 1,700 children from ages 8 to 18 participate annually in YPC through its after-school, in-school, and community programs. YPC is a recipient of the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award, America's highest honor for youth programs. For more information, visit ypc.org.

The International Choral Kathaumixw is a 5-day choral festival featuring concerts, common song singing, choral and vocal solo competitions, conductor's seminars and social events. Founded in 1984, the festival takes place every two years with more than 1,200 singers from around the world gathering to share their music, culture and friendship. Kathaumixw has been a breeding ground for musical talent and innovation, and the festival has commissioned several works including staged choral works by Canadian and foreign composers. Each year the festival features Artists in Residence, internationally renowned soloists, orchestras, and has a distinguished international jury.