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.