About
MYC was founded in the summer of 2023 to create an inclusive space where Greater Lehigh Valley youth aged 11-18 perform with musical artistry, build community, and raise their voices for the greater good. MYC’s singer-informed programming addresses relevant social concerns, integrating musical instruction with meaningful discussions on social issues and historical context. The chorus extends learning beyond traditional concerts through thematically focused performance tours and in-depth collaborations such as partnering with the Nurture Nature Center in Easton, Pennsylvania on a Youth Climate Summit this past April. The evaluations that MYC conducts with both singers and parents reveal that in less than two years, this organization is already creating transformative experiences for participating youth.
Our Mission
The Mosaic Youth Chorus empowers diverse youth of the Lehigh Valley to create community, build empathy, and effect positive social change through artistic and expressive choral singing.
Our Vision
Our Vision for the Mosaic Youth Chorus is to develop a community of diverse, open, and caring individuals through a shared love of choral singing. By providing a supportive space for youth to be their most authentic selves, we foster their artistic development and humanity.
We are Artist/Musicians
Mosaic Youth Chorus finds artistry in music of all types and genres from classical Western European composers to contemporary artists to gospel music to folk music from across the globe. Their repertoire often includes music in multiple languages and is carefully researched and coached by native speakers whenever possible.
The ensemble is led by Dr. Joy Hirokawa. With 30 years of experience leading youth choirs, Dr. Hirokawa has acquired a deep knowledge of the musical, artistic, and emotional needs of youth. She is a passionate advocate for giving youth voice through the choral medium.
“Singing in a choir provides a unique opportunity for young people to have a shared experience of community and unity. We sing music that is both artistically beautiful and also meaningful.” Dr. Hirokawa
FAQ’s
Where do you rehearse?
- Star of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 514 3rd Ave., Bethlehem.
- Holy Trinity Memorial Lutheran Church, 604 4th St., Catasauqua
How long and when are rehearsals?
- Every Thursday evening from 6:45 – 8:45 PM
- One Saturday a month 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM
- Rehearsals generally start the first week of September and go until the first week of December. We take the month of December off and restart the first week of January and go until the first week of May.
- There is a summer one week day camp in August, typically the middle week.
Where do you perform and how often?
- We perform our annual Winter and Spring concerts at Holy Trinity Memorial Lutheran Church, 604 4th St., Catasauqua
- We perform run-out concerts around the Lehigh Valley at various locations and for different events. The schedule is different every year, but we generally do one or two concerts in addition to our Winter and Spring concert.
What age singer can join?
- Singers should be in grades 6 – 12, but if a 5th grader is ready for the challenge, they may interview.
- Singers may have changed or unchanged voices, any gender.
Where do your singers come from?
- Across the Greater Lehigh Valley including Bethlehem, Allentown, Center Valley, Saylorsburg, Breinigsville, Catasauqua, Quakertown, Stroudsburg, Macungie.
Do I have to audition?
- Singers interview with our Artistic Director, discussing the singer’s interest level in Mosaic Youth Chorus, assessing their musicianship, and hearing them sing. We seek singers of all abilities, and then teach them what they need to know to perform artistically. This includes instruction in vocal technique and musicianship in the context of the rehearsal.
How do we sign up?
- Email info@mosaicyouthchorus.org to set up an interview.
I heard you travel. What does that involve?
- We usually travel in the summer, alternating larger and smaller trips. These are concert tours, meaning, we sing a LOT on tour. Tours take us to locations that are related to the repertoire we are singing for the season.
- For example, we sang a program of spirituals and music by African American composers, then went on a tour that followed the path of the Underground Railroad from our area to Harriet Tubman’s home in New York.
- We travel because we believe that we learn more about our world by singing the music of other cultures, being present in other cultures, and visiting places of historical relevance.
What kind of music do you perform?
- We sing literally everything – classical composers, contemporary composers, gospel, jazz, folk, popular music, culturally based music, you name it.
- We sing in many languages. On our winter program we sang in Ukrainian, Hebrew, French, English, Latin.
- Programs are often thematic in nature, tying many kinds of music together to create a whole.
What other opportunities come with being in Mosaic Youth Chorus?
- Options to audition for American Choral Director’s Association Honor Choirs
- Participation in special events such as the Bent But Not Broken Honor Choir (focusing on music by African American composers and in the African American tradition)
- Exchanges with other youth choirs
- Work with guest clinicians.
What else can you tell me about Mosaic Youth Chorus?
- We are a community based not-for-profit organization. Think of us as “travel soccer” but for choir.
- We are a welcoming group of young people who want to make a difference in the world through song.
- We foster a sense of community and acceptance through our singing, discussing, rehearsing, and performing together.
- Our rehearsals are comprehensive – we dive deep into the music, looking at the text, historical context, composition, and vocal technique required to perform.
How much does it cost to be a member?
- We are tuition based.
- Annual tuition is $1000 for the year, payable in full, by semester (2 payments), or monthly.
- This includes all rehearsals, the summer camp, music, and access to additional opportunities. It does not include travel or uniforms.
- The cost averages out to about $25 per rehearsal session, considerably less than the cost of a private lesson!