thank you for your interest in joining pittsburgh youth chorus!
Check out these FAQs below.
“PYC gave me so many learning opportunities which helped me to grow. I loved working with the top-notch teachers - Mr. Funk, Mrs. Evans, and Mr. Schmidt. They all helped me grow in many ways. I also got to make some great friends along the way and even traveled some of the world!”
frequently asked questions
Don’t see your question answered? Contact Us! We’d love to talk with you.
how much does it cost to sing with pyc?
PYC has an income-based, sliding-scale tuition model so that we can keep access to our programs as equitable as possible. We also offer families the option to pay in full or in installments, and we have discounts available for registering early or joining with a sibling. For more information, click here.
when do your programs run?
Our choir programs run from the middle of September through the end of April. We offer enrollment from April through September for singers who join us in the fall, as well as mid-season enrollment in December through January for singers who join us halfway through the school year.
do we have to audition?
Singers who will be in grades 3-12 in the 2023-2024 school year are required to do a free placement session with a PYC conductor. Our placement sessions are fun, low-pressure, and happen in a group setting. They provide the chance for our conductors to meet singers, listen to their voices, and find the perfect PYC choir for them. Upcoming placement sessions are listed and available to sign up for on our interest form.
who will be teaching my singer?
Our PYC choirs are led by an amazing team of music educators who are passionate about working with young singers. Meet Our Team and learn more about our conductors and instructors!
what is the commitment like?
It is imperative that PYC singers attend each weekly rehearsal. That is key. There is very limited (if any) practice time required outside of rehearsals. There are 2-4 concerts that are required per season, but all other performance opportunities are typically optional.
where and when are rehearsals?
Most of our choirs rehearse once per week. As of September 2023, the rehearsal schedule for the 2023-2024 school year will be:
Troubadours: Tuesdays | 6:15-7:45 PM | Duquesne University
Talisman: Tuesdays | 6:15-8:15 PM | Duquesne University
Bel Canto Singers: Tuesdays | 6:15-8:15 PM | Duquesne University
High School Choir: Sunday | 5:30-7:30 PM | Duquesne University | (January through May only)
NTC - North: Tuesdays | 5:30-6:30 PM | St. Paul's United Methodist Church (Allison Park)
NTC - South: Tuesdays | 6:00-7:00 PM | Westminster Presbyterian Church (Upper St. Clair)
NTC - West: Tuesdays | 6:00-7:00 PM | Coraopolis United Methodist Church (Coraopolis)
School Training Choir - Dilworth: Tuesdays | 4:15-5:15 PM | Dilworth PreK-5
School Training Choir - Aliquippa: Tuesdays | 15 minutes after dismissal | Aliquippa Elementary
when can my singer join?
We offer two enrollment periods:
You can register from March to September to begin attending classes in September.
You can register from December to January (Midseason Enrollment) to begin attending classes in January.
what ages are eligible to participate in pyc choirs?
We offer choir programs for singers in grades 1-12, so there’s something for everyone! We encourage you to explore our programs to learn more.
what does tuition include?
Tuition for our core performance choirs includes all instruction & performance opportunities, a music bag (one per lifetime), a PYC polo shirt (one per choir the child participates in throughout their time at PYC), and two complimentary tickets for guardians of the singer for most PYC-produced concerts.
Tuition for High School Choirs and Training Choirs includes all instruction & performance opportunities, a PYC t-shirt, and two complimentary tickets for guardians of the singer for most PYC-produced concerts.
Singers in our core performance choirs or high school choirs are required to purchase a formal uniform for concerts. There are two formal uniform options, and costs range from $22-$80 depending on the option the singer selects. Details about ordering these formal uniforms will be given to families after they register.
For more information on what is included in the PYC experience, click here.
my singer will be in 1st or 2nd grade in the 2023-2024 school year. do they need to do a placement session?
Nope! Singers in grades 1-2 don’t need a placement session to join one of our training choirs, so you can proceed straight to our registration form to officially join the Pittsburgh Youth Chorus family.
can my singer join a school training choir if they aren’t enrolled in that particular school?
Unfortunately, no. Our School Training Choirs are special partnerships with the Pittsburgh Public School (PPS) and Aliquippa districts, so only students in grades 1-2 at Dilworth or Aliquippa are eligible to join. You are welcome to join another Neighborhood Training Choir (NTC) location, and we hope to add more NTC locations in the future!
