Maurice Hines Headlines Young People's Chorus Benefit, 3/15

The Young People's Chorus of New York City will be hosting a Gala Benefit on March 15th featuring Tony nominee, Maurice Hines, along with other special guests. The evening will feature  Hines performing several numbers from the musical revue Sophisticated Ladies, based on the music of Duke Ellington, and he will be joined by cast members from the Arena Stage production of the show. Funds raised will support YPC's work to better the lives of thousands of New York City children of all economic, religious and ethnic backgrounds from ages 7 to 18.

For tickets and more information, contact Mary Jane Happy at 212-289-7779, ext. 20 or http://ypc.org/.

 For more than two decades, the Young People's Chorus of New York City has provided children of diverse abilities and ethnic backgrounds with a unique program of music education and choral performance, while maintaining a model of artistic excellence and harmony that enriches the community.

 

 Founded in 1988, YPC welcomes over 1,100 children who participate annually through its core after-school program, its Satellite Schools Program in seven New York City schools, and its first national affiliate, the Young People's Chorus of Erie (Pennsylvania). YPC is the resident chorus of three of New York City's major cultural institutions-the 92nd Street Y, Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center; and WNYC, New York Public Radio.

 The chorus has been featured in major publications around the world and is frequently seen on national television, including appearances on "Good Morning America," "The Today Show," and PBS-TV's "From the Top at Carnegie Hall." The "From the Top at Carnegie Hall" segment can be viewed at the top of the page. YPC season highlights include: return engagements at St. Patrick Cathedral, collaborations with the Kronos Quartet, the Swiss debut with the Geneva Chamber Orchestra, and a third trip to Japan for a 15-city, 2010 tour. YPC is especially delighted to further strengthen its longtime and cherished relationship with the New York Pops with their Christmas performances together at Carnegie Hall.

 YPC has received international recognition by winning five gold medals at the World Choir Games in Germany and Austria and top prizes at other international choral competitions in the U.S., Canada, Spain, and the Czech Republic. Among YPC's many other awards and honors are Chorus America's Education Outreach Award and the Chorus America/ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming. YPC was among the first inductees in the WNET/Thirteen Community Hall of Fame and has been recognized for its work with urban at-risk youth by the New York State Assembly, the Mayor of the City of New York, the Manhattan Borough President and as a "national model of artistic excellence and diversity" by the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities.

 

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.