About LBYC
Our History
In 2016, Stan DeWitt, Minister of Music at Grace First Presbyterian Church told the leadership that ‘the same old approach’ to children’s music wasn’t working. He suggested thinking outside the box. “What if we do something, not just for the church, but for the whole community?” Out of that discussion, and the realization that Long Beach was one of the largest cities in the United States without a civic children/youth choir, came the idea to create the Long Beach Youth Chorus. In 2017, the LBYC began rehearsals under the Artistic Directorship of Steven Clausen.
The first few years saw some remarkable outpouring from the Long Beach arts community partners: a debut performance with the Long Beach Chorale, a performance of “Carmina Burana” with the Camerata Singers of Long Beach under the baton of Dr. James Bass (pictured to the right), and a performance with the Long Beach Symphony for their POPS! concert in 2018 (pictured above.) Other notable performances included singing the National Anthem at CSULB men’s basketball game, two performances with the band Jelly of the Month Club, tracks on an album by Triggerman, and multiple civic performances in the city, including the Mayor’s tree-lighting ceremony in 2019.
The challenging 2020-21 season was online and virtual, but under the leadership of new Artistic Director, Stevie Hirner, the Chorus continued to grow and thrive musically, creating stirring virtual videos. So, as the LBYC looks ahead, with a return to in-person singing and performances, we see the future as bright, indeed.
Mission and Vision
Mission
Our mission is to develop the appreciation of choral music and musical talent among young people from diverse backgrounds in a mutually supportive environment.
Vision
Our vision is to be a diverse multi-chorus organization that provides every child in the region the opportunity to perform in a choir and gives them the life-changing skills that choral singing can develop.
Racial Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
The Long Beach Youth Chorus (LBYC) is committed to promoting and creating a harmonious and safe space for our singers and our community, allowing everyone to maintain respect for and gain a better understanding of one another. Normalizing the practice of sharing pronouns and encouraging earnest dialog and active listening are all key parts of that commitment. With self-awareness and authentic engagement, our organization will explore and program artistic contributions from historically marginalized, disenfranchised, and oppressed communities, including, but not limited to, works by:
– Indigenous Peoples
– Black People and other Individuals/Communities of Color
– Immigrants and/or Refugee Communities
– Non-Native English Speaking Cultures
– Women, or those Assigned Female at Birth (AFAB)
– LGBTQIA+ Individuals/Communities
The LBYC will strive to acknowledge and honor the fundamental values and dignities of these communities, embracing our cultural and personal differences while remaining open to new experiences. We aim to build awareness, offer solutions, and demonstrate leadership through community engagement and advocacy for equitable opportunities by incorporating transformative ideas, information, and experiences into our repertoire, rehearsals, and performances. We stand firm in our vision in which the inherent worth of all individuals is recognized and valued, civility and social justice are honored and practiced, and the full potential of all people is realized and celebrated.