Young People's Chorus of New York City Celebrates the Holidays, Now thru 12/19

The weather is getting crisper and the trees are almost bare, which means the holidays are upon us. The Young People's Chorus of New York City (YPC) and its Artistic Director/Founder Francisco J. Núñez are once again spreading the joy of the season with holiday concerts, as well as joint performances with violinist Joshua Bell at The Greene Space at WQXR/WNYC and on his new Sony CD "Musical Gifts from Joshua Bell and Friends."

YPC Holiday Performances:

Today, December 3, at 5:00 p.m.
Bryant Park Tree Lighting
The Rink at Winter Village
40th Street and Sixth Avenue

The Young People's Chorus of New York City joins Bryant Park's wondrous holiday tree lighting celebration with performances of Carol of the Bells and Sleigh Ride in a program of live music and ice-skating at The Rink in Bryant Park's Winter Village. The program culminates with the lighting of the giant Norway Spruce, sparkling with more than 30,000 lights, sparkling starbursts, snowflakes and icicle ornaments.
Free and open to the public.

Saturday, December 7, at 3:30 and 7:00 p.m.
Winter Concert - Featuring two holiday premieres
Kaufmann Concert Hall, 92nd Street Y at Lexington Avenue

The Young People's Chorus of New York City will give two performances of one of its most popular concerts of the year - "Songs of the Season" - featuring many holiday favorites and some exciting new music, including the world premieres of two YPC commissions. The first is a piece commissioned from composer Jim Papoulis for chorus and boomwhackers entitled Gnothi Safton (Know thyself), and the second is a new tutti piece commissioned from Matt Podd, Adam Podd, Jerry Colker, and Sarah Kervin to close the program, called Looking for the Light, which will be sung by all 360 choristers.
Tickets: 3:30 Matinee - $15, $25, and $50 Tickets: 7:00 Evening - $20, $30, and $60

All tickets are available at the 92nd Street Y box office or by calling 212-415-5500.

Tuesday, December 10, at 6:00 p.m.
WQXR Presents Musical Gifts: Joshua Bell and Friends
WQXR/WNYC's The Greene Space
160 Varick Street (entrance on Charlton St.)

Popular WQXR host Elliot Forrest welcomes the Young People's Chorus of New York City, Joshua Bell, singer/songwriter Frankie Moreno, and pianist Frederick Chiu for an evening of holiday music in a program featuring music from Joshua Bell's new holiday CD. It includes a joint performance by YPC and Joshua Bell from the CD of a new arrangement of Silent Night by Francisco J. Núñez.

Tickets are $40 (which includes a treat and a drink) and can be purchased on the WQXR Web site at www.wqxr.org.

Thursday, December 19, at 7:00 p.m.
"A City Singing at Christmas"
St. Patrick's Cathedral
Fifth Avenue and 51st Street

The Young People's Chorus of New York City conducted by its artistic director Francisco J. Núñez has once again been invited to sing at the annual "A City Singing at Christmas" program of St. Patrick's Cathedral. Also featured are the St. Patrick's Cathedral Choir conducted by Dr. Jennifer Pascual, the cathedral's director of music; the St. Agnes Cathedral Choirs of the Diocese of Rockville Centre led by its director Michael Bower; and the New York Symphonic Brass in the majesty of the Cathedral of St. Patrick.
Admission is FREE. Come early for best seats.
Special Community Concert in Washington Heights

Friday, December 13, at 6:00 p.m.
Winter Holiday Concert
Young People's Chorus of New York City at Washington Heights (YPCWH)
P.S. 366, Washington Heights Academy
202 Sherman Ave, New York, NY 10034

The young singers of YPCWH, the year-old community program of the Young People's Chorus of New York City at Washington Heights, will give a free winter holiday concert for the community on December 13. Led by YPC conductor Maria Peña, the program includes Dormi, Dormi and Donde esta Santa Claus. Admission is FREE.

The Young People's Chorus of New York City is internationally renowned not only for its artistic excellence and brilliant showmanship, but as a model for an inclusive society that is being replicated globally. Founded by Artistic Director Francisco J. Núñez in 1988, this groundbreaking program harnesses the power of music to fulfill the potential of every child. This year more than 1,300 children ages 7 to 18 are participating in YPC's after-school and in-school programs. YPC is in residence at Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center, and among its many awards is America's highest honor for youth programs, a National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award.