Poster Young People's Chorus of New York City
Young People's Chorus of New York City at the Let the Peoples Sing 2015 amateur choir competition in Munich, Germany.
courtesy Bavarian Radio
Choral Stream

Better late than never: New York choir to share choral laurels with Denmark singers

Police vans, buses, and ambulances are lined up for a whole block outside Munich's main train station these days. Bavaria braces itself each week as about 10,000 new refugees arrive from Syria and elsewhere. This southern state in Germany tries to welcome them — sorting and sending in a very orderly German way, and extending a caring hand.

Bavaria also extended that hand to eight choirs this weekend from around the Continent, and one from the States. They were all here to do their best in the Let the Peoples Sing choral competition on Sunday, Oct. 11. Bavarian Radio broadcast and streamed it live, and millions tuned in across Europe.

This is one of the best parts of my job as Managing Director of Classical Programming at MPR/APM. We're members of a European organization that sponsors this bi-annual contest for amateur choirs from around the globe. The performances are always at a high level, and I get to be on the jury. Deciding who's the best among the nine final choirs is the ultimate geek-fest for any choir nerd.

While most of the choirs come from Europe, this year the fantastic Young People's Chorus of New York City represented the USA. (Full disclosure, I nominated them to compete.)

The New Yorkers sang a powerful short program by American composers, and the audience of 400 clapped long and loud afterward. Then a superb choir of young women from Denmark's second-largest city, Aarhus, came to sing — and the Aarhus Girls' Choir was awarded the first prize in the Children and Youth category. Its performance held up as seven other choirs — from Latvia, England, Bulgaria, Austria, Sweden, Germany and Romania — came and sang. The Danish girls were also given the overall top prize of the beautiful Silver Rose Bowl. There was much rejoicing in Denmark.

But this morning in the jury room, we rethought and rehashed last night's results and realized that the American choir should share that first prize with the Danish girls in the Children and Youth category, making it the first American choir in the Competition's 54-year history to win (or co-win) its category.

So I dropped a quick email to the Young People's Chorus director, Francisco Núñez, who at that moment was 35,000 feet over the Atlantic. Núñez immediately wrote back, saying that his singers — who'd left Munich, despite its warm welcome, a little crestfallen — were suddenly belting out midflight the opening line from "New York, New York." You know how it goes: "Start spreadin' the news…"

View video of the program and performances

Love the music?

Donate by phone
1-800-562-8440

Show your support by making a gift to YourClassical.

Each day, we’re here for you with thoughtful streams that set the tone for your day – not to mention the stories and programs that inspire you to new discovery and help you explore the music you love.

YourClassical is available for free, because we are listener-supported public media. Take a moment to make your gift today.

More Ways to Give

Your Donation

$5/month
$10/month
$15/month
$20/month
$

Latest Choral Stream Episodes

VIEW ALL EPISODES

Latest Choral Stream Episodes

Listen: St. Olaf Christmas Festival presents 'Promise of Peace' for 2022
59:00
Known MPLS choir director leads a musical quest for community healing

Known MPLS choir director leads a musical quest for community healing

The Minneapolis youth choir Known MPLS is making an impact in song and in community. ‘Known MPLS first and foremost exists to consistently provide a safe space for youth to thrive,’ director Courtland Pickens says. Find out more about these remarkable singers, and watch their performance of ‘Up Above My Head.’

Watch: Voces8 Scholars sing Christmas classics 'Coventry Carol' and 'Sussex Carol'
Listen to 'A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols' on Christmas Eve
Christmas With Cantus

Christmas With Cantus

‘Christmas With Cantus’ is a beloved holiday tradition for YourClassical MPR listeners featuring the eight voices of the male vocal ensemble live in concert.

1:30:26
'All Is Bright': Contemplative choral music for Christmas

'All Is Bright': Contemplative choral music for Christmas

'All Is Bright', with host Lynne Warfel, offers an hour of gorgeous, contemplative choral music that tells the traditional Christmas story with songs about angels, the star and the manger scene. Featured artists include Cantus, Chanticleer, Cambridge Singers, Bryn Terfel, Emma Kirkby, Jessye Norman, and a variety of choirs.

59:00
Christmas at Luther: 'Love, the Rose, Is on the Way'

Christmas at Luther: 'Love, the Rose, Is on the Way'

Each December, the Center for Faith and Life at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, rings out with the sacred and the exuberant: the sounds of the Christmas season. Enjoy the 2023 program, ‘Love, the Rose, Is on the Way.’

59:00
Christmas With Cantus

Christmas With Cantus

Christmas With Cantus weaves together holiday stories with time-honored carols and new classics. Blending narration and song, the program offers an opportunity to reflect on the meaning and joy of the holiday season. Listen now!

59:00
'Songs of Thanks' with Cantus

'Songs of Thanks' with Cantus

Join us for ‘Songs of Thanks,’ an innovative new production by Cantus presenting stories and songs celebrating gratitude and community. Listen now — and then tell us why you’re thankful so we can include your feedback in next year’s program.

59:00
VIEW ALL EPISODES