Young People's Chorus: Spotlight



WNYC 93.9 Radio Chorus

WNYC
"New York Public Radio is delighted to work together with this tremendous chorus and the New York City public school system to showcase music as an active, relevant part of young people's lives, and to provide this listening experience for children. We hope to inspire children by showcasing living composers writing music specifically for them." - Laura Walker, President and CEO of WNYC

On October 29th 2003, The Young People's Chorus of New York City debuted as The WNYC (93.9 FM) Radio Choir. It is the first-ever resident chorus, young or otherwise, at any New York radio station. They are one of only a few children's radio choirs in the country, and the only children's chorus to perform new compositions exclusively.

WNYC, New York Public Radio, is New York's premier public radio station, comprising WNYC 93.9 FM and WNYC AM 820. As America's most listened-to public radio stations, reaching more than one million listeners every week, WNYC FM and AM extend New York City's cultural riches to the entire country and air the best national offerings from affiliate networks National Public Radio and Public Radio International.

The idea for the Radio Choir was born out of the success of the YPC's Transient Glory® series, and the chorus has commissioned and premiered over 50 new pieces of music for children’s chorus by a “who’s who” of contemporary music composers. Through a series of concerts, symposiums and subsequent publishing, these pieces are paving the way for a new generation of young people to experience high-quality choral repertoire in rehearsals and concert halls. The Transient Glory® concert series has been hosted by WNYC's John Schaefer since its inception. It has also been recorded and aired on WNYC's “Soundcheck.”

Most recently YPC has partnered with WNYC and American Public Media with support from the National Endowment for the Arts in Radio Radiance™, YPC’s new radio and internet program. Radio Radiance™ expands the influence of the Transient Glory® commissioning series by combining live performance, recording and digital media to attract new listeners to new and innovative choral music. YPC recorded new music by Eve Beglarian, Gabriela Lena Frank, Robert Kapilow with sound artist Fred Newman, and Meredith Monk at WNYC’s new Jerome L. Greene Performance Center.

All appearances take place on WNYC's Soundcheck, hosted by John Schaefer every weekday at 2pm. New York City residents can tune it at 93.9FM, and non-residents can stream WNYC from their webpage.

For a sampling of previous Radio Chorus appearances, please visit the archives page.