Young People's Chorus of New York City to Debut Four New Commissions at 92Y, 4/19

On Friday, April 19, at 8 p.m. the Young People's Chorus of New York City, conducted by its Artistic Director/Founder Francisco J. Núñez, will premiere the four newest commissions in its Radio Radiance series in a recording before a live audience in Kaufmann Concert Hall at the 92nd Street Y. This new Radio Radiance music, in which technology and the human voice overlap to make new sounds and great music, will be recorded for later broadcast this spring by WWFM The Classical Network and hosted by YPC's longtime friend and collaborator John Schaefer from WNYC.

The four new Radio Radiance compositions created specifically for radio are Celestial Fire by Thomas Cabaniss, which includes live looping technology; The City by TED Fellow Susie Ibarra with lyrics by Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Yusef Komunyakaa and glockenspiel, electronics, and vibraphone accompaniment; Colors by Kevin James, in which a palette of digital audio tools enables YPC to accompany itself; and WICBM by Toby Twining, recalling an historical event in radio's Emergency Broadcast System in which the voices themselves recreate the technology. The broadcast will include the music and composer interviews, as well as audience reactions, applause, and questions to the composers and to Mr. Núñez.

Tickets, at $15 for adults and $5 for students, are available now at the 92nd Street Y box office or by calling the 92nd Street Y at 212-415-5500.

Radio Radiance, which has been funded since its inception by the National Endowment for the Arts, was created by Francisco Núñez in 2009 to expand the influence of YPC's acclaimed Transient Glory commissioning program to attract new listeners to innovative choral music. To date, YPC has commissioned more than 70 pieces of music through the two combined series.

Previous Radio Radiance commissions are Eve Beglarian's Machaut in the Machine Age VI: Liement me deport, Picaflor Esmeralda from Two Mountain Songs by Gabriela Lena Frank, Things Heaven and Hell from Three Heavens and Hells by Meredith Monk, Crosstown M42 by Rob Kapilow and FrEd Newman, Tembandumba by Paquito D'Rivera, Exalted by Michael Gordon, Hijaz by Michael Harrison, and Another Secret eQuation by Terry Riley.

The Young People's Chorus of New York City was founded 25 years ago with a mission of diversity and artistic excellence by its artistic director Francisco J. Núñez. Today, YPC is in residence at Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center and has become one of the most celebrated and influential youth choruses in the world. YPC receives invitations to perform from presenters on four continents and has received the nation's highest honor for youth programs, a National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award, from First Lady Michelle Obama.

Francisco J. Núñez, a MacArthur Fellow, is a conductor, composer, visionary, leading figure in music education, and the founder of the award-winning Young People's Chorus of New York City, currently celebrating its 25th anniversary. Mr. Núñez also leads the University Glee Club of New York City, its fifth conductor since the all-men's choir was established in 1894. He is sought after nationwide as a guest conductor by professional orchestras and choirs and as a master teacher and advisor for choral workshops, demonstrations, and festivals. His music and arrangements are published by Boosey & Hawkes.

WWFM The Classical Network is a full time, 24-hour classical station, now celebrating 30 years of innovative programming of great music. The Classical Network serves Central New Jersey and the Jersey Shore; eastern Pennsylvania, including the Lehigh Valley and parts of Colorado. In addition, The Classical Network can be heard in New York City and surrounding area via an HD Radio partnership with Columbia University-WKCR at 89.9HD2 and in Center City Philadelphia via HD Radio at 89.5HD2. The Classical Network can be heard worldwide streaming 24/7 at www.wwfm.org. The Classical Network's own HD2 channel is home to the eclectic JazzOn2.

The concert is set for Friday, April 19, 2013, 8 p.m. as part of the Radio Radiance series at 92nd Street Y (at Lexington Avenue). Recorded by WWFM The Classical Network. Tickets, at $15 for adults and $5 for students, available at the 92nd Street Y box office or by calling the 92nd Street Y at 212-415-5500.