Alaska Youth Choir

About The Alaska Youth Choir

The Alaska Youth Choir (AYC) currently consists of 50 singers ranging from 6 to 18 years of age. Founded in 1994 by Bob Norman as a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax exempt corporation governed by a board of directors, the choir provides advanced choral opportunities for Juneau youth to promote excellence in choral singing and encourage a lifelong learning and enjoyment of music.

Under the artistic direction of Missouri Smyth since 1998, choristers study and perform a varied repertoire of choral music from different historical periods, different cultures, and in different languages which serve to broaden choristers views and acceptance of the world's diversity.

The AYC performs several annual concerts, including holiday, spring, and benefit performances. The AYC also performs with school and community choirs and community instrumental groups which include the Juneau Youth Symphony, Perseverance Theater, Bach Society, and the Juneau Lyric Opera. Benefit performances for local groups include the Pioneers Home, Lion’s Club, Pillars of America, Retired Teachers Association, and Rotary Clubs. Each year, the choir is invited to open the Legislature by singing the Alaska Flag Song and the National Anthem.

The AYC participates in national and international choral festivals, promoting the cultural image of Alaska by performing music arranged and composed by Alaskans. Tours provide choristers with cross-cultural learning experiences, exposure to a variety of choral techniques, and opportunities for the children to be good-will ambassadors representing Juneau and Alaska. AYC has traveled to White Horse, Canada; Vancouver, Canada; Seattle, Washington; Brooklyn, NY; New Orleans, Hawaii, San Francisco, Florida, and Italy.

The AYC supports and supplements the music program offered in the Juneau School District through education, rehearsal, and performances. AYC choristers are expected to participate in school choirs.

The AYC's choir year runs concurrent with the Juneau-Douglas School District calendar (Sept. through May), with opportunities to tour in the summer months. Annual costs to AYC members includes tuition for all choristers, and tour costs and expenses for touring choristers. Parents and choristers both are expected to participate in fundraising activities and volunteer duties. Tuition scholarships are available thorugh the Grace Akiyama AYC Scholarship Fund and the Akiyama Family Endowment based on financial need.

In addition to a "love of singing", AYC choristers are expected to have a positive attitude; be dedicated, committed, dependable, focused, team oriented, and have a desire to achieve a high level of vocal excellence and beauty.

"Music is the thread that connects, binds, strengthens, and brings meaning to society. As we share our deep love of music with young people we are building performers, teachers, patrons, and great leaders who will continue the thread of music into the future."