Causes: Arts & Culture, Arts Education, Children & Youth, Singing & Choral Groups, Youth Development Programs
Mission: WHO WE AREAt the Oakland Youth Chorus, we celebrate diverse communities through song. Working in partnership with Bay Area schools and community centers, OYC transforms young people’s lives through excellence in music education and community performance. WHAT WE DOWe provide in-school music and after school choral programs accessible to every child regardless of family income. Music programs are located in select schools and community centers throughout Oakland, Alameda, Richmond and El Cerrito for children and youth aged 4-19.OYC currently provides low-and-no cost, yearlong, weekly choral and general music education classes aligned with the California State Board of Education Standards for Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) to 3000 students at 28 school and community sites, serving 70% low income, 84% students of color, and 52% English language learners. Our approach combines repertoire from cultures around the world, performance opportunities, and a concrete foundation in music literacy. Singers support their communities with multiple opportunities to perform for local schools, organizations and cultural events each season. WHY IT MATTERSThe Oakland Youth Chorus provides Bay Area students of diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds a comprehensive music education. We ensure ALL students have every opportunity and advantage to use their voices to advocate for themselves and empower others. Music plays a vital role in a young person’s life. We amplify the voices of our future culture keepers, change-makers, and global citizens.
Results: All singers who stay with OYC through senior year graduate; 90% go on to college. OYC has provided the musical foundation for Grammy winner brad Wells, Grammy nominee Victoria Theodore, recording artists Goapele, Ledisi, Jennifer Johns, and LaToya London, and Broadway actor and Tony winning cast member Roosevelt Credit, in addition to generations of artists, conductors, educators, and changemakers. In the wake of Covid 19 shelter in place closures, we took rapid, innovative and decisive action to get more than 90% of our classes and rehearsals running online within two weeks. Our primary concern was supporting our students by making sure they would continue to have not only a top quality music education, but also a space of refuge, peer connection, and joy. During a time when we must all remain physically separated, we exemplify that no matter what happens, music helps manifest the connections and community that heal. What's ahead - making music in uncertain times:In the coming months, we expect to transform our program model to ensure the health and safety of our singers and audiences, and accommodate structural changes in our partner schools. To rise to these new challenges, OYC must continue to demonstrate the innovation and resilience that has been part of its defining spirit for the last 45 years. But to successfully meet this new moment, we need your support.
Target demographics: OYC serves children and youth ages 5-19 in Oakland, Alameda, Richmond, and reaching throughout the East Bay.
Direct beneficiaries per year: 3000 students in the 2019-20 season
Geographic areas served: Alameda and Contra Costa Counties
Programs: OYC produces three professional choral concerts per year for all of our singers, performs at Bay Area community events, and tours locally, regionally, and nationally. OYC’s current in-school and after-school vocal and general music training programs reach children in more than 30 Oakland, Alameda, and Richmond schools and community based sites.
Mission: WHO WE AREAt the Oakland Youth Chorus, we celebrate diverse communities through song. Working in partnership with Bay Area schools and community centers, OYC transforms young people’s lives through excellence in music education and community performance. WHAT WE DOWe provide in-school music and after school choral programs accessible to every child regardless of family income. Music programs are located in select schools and community centers throughout Oakland, Alameda, Richmond and El Cerrito for children and youth aged 4-19.OYC currently provides low-and-no cost, yearlong, weekly choral and general music education classes aligned with the California State Board of Education Standards for Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) to 3000 students at 28 school and community sites, serving 70% low income, 84% students of color, and 52% English language learners. Our approach combines repertoire from cultures around the world, performance opportunities, and a concrete foundation in music literacy. Singers support their communities with multiple opportunities to perform for local schools, organizations and cultural events each season. WHY IT MATTERSThe Oakland Youth Chorus provides Bay Area students of diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds a comprehensive music education. We ensure ALL students have every opportunity and advantage to use their voices to advocate for themselves and empower others. Music plays a vital role in a young person’s life. We amplify the voices of our future culture keepers, change-makers, and global citizens.
Results: All singers who stay with OYC through senior year graduate; 90% go on to college. OYC has provided the musical foundation for Grammy winner brad Wells, Grammy nominee Victoria Theodore, recording artists Goapele, Ledisi, Jennifer Johns, and LaToya London, and Broadway actor and Tony winning cast member Roosevelt Credit, in addition to generations of artists, conductors, educators, and changemakers. In the wake of Covid 19 shelter in place closures, we took rapid, innovative and decisive action to get more than 90% of our classes and rehearsals running online within two weeks. Our primary concern was supporting our students by making sure they would continue to have not only a top quality music education, but also a space of refuge, peer connection, and joy. During a time when we must all remain physically separated, we exemplify that no matter what happens, music helps manifest the connections and community that heal. What's ahead - making music in uncertain times:In the coming months, we expect to transform our program model to ensure the health and safety of our singers and audiences, and accommodate structural changes in our partner schools. To rise to these new challenges, OYC must continue to demonstrate the innovation and resilience that has been part of its defining spirit for the last 45 years. But to successfully meet this new moment, we need your support.
Target demographics: OYC serves children and youth ages 5-19 in Oakland, Alameda, Richmond, and reaching throughout the East Bay.
Direct beneficiaries per year: 3000 students in the 2019-20 season
Geographic areas served: Alameda and Contra Costa Counties
Programs: OYC produces three professional choral concerts per year for all of our singers, performs at Bay Area community events, and tours locally, regionally, and nationally. OYC’s current in-school and after-school vocal and general music training programs reach children in more than 30 Oakland, Alameda, and Richmond schools and community based sites.
685 14th Street, Oakland, CA 94612
510-287-9700
Arts & Culture
Oakland
