Core Values

Vision

To create a better community by giving young people opportunities to grow and express themselves through the performing arts.

Mission

We foster the development of human potential and a lifelong interest in the performing arts through music: singing, dancing and acting.

Core values

• To provide learning and leadership opportunities for young people.
• To provide an innovative and creative experience for young people to be the best that they can be.
• To recognize that our most valuable resource is all of us, working together with integrity and respect.
• To manage our resources in a prudent and enterprising manner.
• To ensure our program is accessible.

Our Story

The dream

Youth Singers of Calgary is a Calgary success story which began in 1985 when founder Shirley Penner had a dream of giving young people the chance to express themselves on stage through music, dance and acting - recognizing all three major touchstones of the performing arts.

An exceptional music education and performance opportunity

Twenty years later, Youth Singers has become Calgary's most comprehensive performing arts training program; an exceptional music education and performance opportunity that has shaped the lives of thousands of young people providing them with passion, purpose and direction.

Over 550 strong, aged 3 1/2 to adult

The organization has grown from twenty-eight junior high school students to over five hundred and fifty strong aged 3 1/2 to adult in eight divisions. An incredible 35,000 hours annually of volunteer commitment supports an impressive assembly of contract artistic educators, a focused board and a small but dedicated administrative staff. Renowned for instilling a love of music in a non-competitive way, Youth Singers has a lasting positive impact on our community by developing our youth through music appreciation and performance.

A diverse repertoire

Youth Singers' diverse repertoire spans all centuries and styles of music such as a cappella, choral classics from the Renaissance through to modern classical works, the musical theatre of Broadway show tunes, contemporary, gospel, spirituals and pop and vocal jazz stylings as well as show choir standards. Incorporating elements of choreography and theatre into its presentation, this exemplary musical education and performance program is unique in Canada.

Accredited curriculum

Alberta's Ministry of Learning formally acknowledged the Youth Singers' curriculum by awarding it accreditation through the Calgary and area school boards. This means that junior and high school students enrolled in our program can earn credit towards their high school diploma. It also recognizes the high standard of programming and creates important partnerships for us as music educators.

World tours

Youth Singers gives young people once in a lifetime opportunities to showcase their talents across Canada and around the world through touring. In the summer of 2004, they toured eight cities in China on an invitation from the Chinese Government, a privilege formally reserved for professional performers. They toured to New York in 2005 winning seven top awards and recently returned from a four country tour of Europe in August 2007 where they performed for thrilled audiences and received rave reviews. They have toured the west and east coasts of the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Japan as well as the Caribbean.

Currently tours are planned for California in 2008, and either a Bahamas cruise or New York City in 2009.

Fast Facts

What does YS do?

• provides the most comprehensive Performing Arts education program in Calgary and is one of a kind in Canada
• produces and performs 2 showcase mainstage shows annually to sold-out audiences at the Jubilee Auditorium
• produces and performs a Christmas concert series and a spring concert series at various city venues
• over 100 shows/performances per year
• creates and produces many of our own arrangements, choreography, also write original music (all Canadian content!)
• other roles include being a national resource for other arts organizations on choreography, music tracks and charts, production guidance.
• prepares and develops youth for life by providing the framework for them to develop leadership skills, teamwork and a sense of self-confidence
• prepares and develops young people for any career by giving them the vital skills of leadership, teamwork, discipline, time-management and self responsibility

Whom does YS serve?

• 550 plus performers and families annually ; 2,000 kids have passed through our program since our inception
  • KIDS & MUSIC (age 3 1/2 through to grade 3)
  • KIDZXPRESS (grades 4 - 6)
  • JUNIOR HI (grades 7 - 9)
  • SENIOR HI (grades 10 - 12)
  • ACT 3 (ages 18 - 25 experienced with a focus on singing, dancing and acting)
  • SHINE (semi-professional song and dance ensemble)
  • ON CUE (semi-professional ensemble 20s - 40s with a focus on a cappella and vocal jazz)
  • SECOND CHANTS (any one any vintage who has a love of singing and performing)
  • TADA! summer musical theatre program
• the community by keeping kids learning and involved after school
• 2,000 financially-disadvantaged kids annually enjoy our performances thanks to Petro-Canada and Kids Up Front Foundation

How?

• supported by a small but dedicated full-time administrative staff of 7 and 35 part-time fee-for-service artistic educators essential to the program, including Malcolm Edwards - former Head of the Department of Music, University of Calgary
• 35,000 volunteer hours per year spent in production, fundraising, set-building, wardrobe, props, library, and a myriad of other functions required for operations, primarily by parents or former parents
• with financial assistance from AFA, Calgary Foundation for the Arts, Kahanoff and numerous foundations, corporations and individuals who make it all possible

When?

• each group rehearses once a week depending on the division for a combined average of nearly 70 hrs/week during our season
• our rented rehearsal space is busy 335 days per year

Where?

• at our regular rented facility the Beltline Community Centre, revitalizing a little used community centre and maximizing our resources
• make up to 100 appearances locally throughout the year at numerous community and corporate functions in addition to schools, nursing homes and special needs centers
• internationall through travel to fesitvals and competitions
• we have performed at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics, World Police and Fire Games, World Petroleum Congress as well as international festivals acting as ambassadors for Calgary and Canada
• continue to win top awards at respected choral competitions locally and internationally competing in concert choir, vocal jazz and show choir categories
• have performed in over 30 mainstage productions and 3 made for TV documentaries each winners of national awards