Ensembles

Alegría & Meraki

Singers in YCNS ensembles learn diverse and challenging repertoire in a warm, joy-filled environment. They receive instruction in note reading, musical vocabulary, and techniques to enhance the expressive capacity of their singing. They also focus on vocal training to help develop breath and pitch control, proper vowel placement, and healthy singing habits.

YCNS ensembles perform throughout the community, plan community singing events, and enjoy social outings and activities.

See pictures and videos on our Facebook page.

Alegría

[ah-leh-GREE-ah] Spanish for "joy"

Our select ensemble for 2nd - 4th graders is for children who love to sing, can match pitch, and want to be part of a weekly choral group. Alegría rehearses on Wednesdays from 4:15pm - 5:15pm.

Meraki

[may-RAH-kee] Modern Greek for "the soul, creativity, or love you put into doing something"

Our advanced ensemble for 5th - 8th graders is for young artists who have a passion for singing and who are ready for more challenging repertoire. Singers in Meraki are invited to participate in Meraki Plus and our Student Advisory Board. Meraki rehearses on Wednesdays from 5:30pm - 6:45pm.

Meraki Plus

Singers in Meraki who are eager to be role models can elect to sing with both Alegría and Meraki. They function as student leaders for Alegría, and perform with both ensembles. Meraki Plus rehearses on Wednesdays from 4:15pm - 6:45pm.

Student Advisory Board

Singers in Meraki are eligible to participate in the YCNS Student Advisory Board. This group of Meraki leaders advise and help the YCNS director with matters such as: uniform/logo design, party/social planning, fundraising, and the music library. Meetings are after regular rehearsals on select Wednesdays.

Set up a "musical meeting" and join us!

Elevate your voice through engaging music alongside joyful interactions and experiences. We are looking for new members who (1) love to sing, (2) can match pitch, and (3) are committed to our weekly Wednesday rehearsals.

Before registering for YCNS, you will have a musical meeting with Ms. Sklar. At the (in-person or online) get-together, singers will:

be greeted warmly in a relaxed, encouraging environment.
sing a song of their choice. (It can even be "Happy Birthday.")
sing back musical phrases that are sung to them.
demonstrate what they know about reading music. (The ability to read music is not a prerequisite for joining.)

Please fill out this short form, or write info@youthchorusnorthshore.com, to schedule an musical meeting.

Registration

NO CHILD IS TURNED AWAY DUE TO FINANCIAL NEED. We provide robust, need-based scholarships so that tuition and fees are never a barrier to any singer’s participation.
2024-2025 Season Fees: $585 Tuition (plus a Uniform fee).
Sibling discounts and payment plans are available.

Rehearsals

2024-2025 Season: September 11, 2024 - May 14, 2025.

Covid Mitigation

YCNS follows up-to-date COVID-19 mitigation guidelines for singing as described by the International Performing Arts Aerosol Study Coalition. These include masks, ventilation, physical distancing, and rehearsal duration. YCNS current COVID-19 protocols: All who enter JRC must be vaccinated. For masking, we will follow the the CDC guidelines for Community Transmission.

Weekly Wednesday rehearsals may vary in form, length, and (Evanston-area) location based on COVID guidelines and curricular needs. Rehearsal day & times will remain constant.

Rehearsal Location

JRC
303 Dodge Avenue
Evanston, IL 60202

Get directions

Performances & Experiences

2023-2024 Season

Tour to St. Louis, MO: May 10-12, 2024
Spring Recital: May 5, 2024, 3pm @ JRC - Free & open to the public
Karaoke Sing-Along, Community Singing Event @ the Evanston Public Library: February 25, 2024 - Free and open to the public
Performance at Private Holiday Party: December 9, 2023
Winter Recital: December 3, 2023, 3pm @ JRC - Free & open to the public

2022-2023 Season

Spring Recital: May 7, 2023, 3pm @ JRC - Free & open to the public
Workshop for students in the Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center after school program: March 22, 2023
Karaoke Sing-Along, Community Singing Event @ the Evanston Public Library: February 5, 2023 - Free and open to the public
Winter Recital: December 4, 2022, 3pm @ JRC - Free & open to the public

2021-2022 Season

Follow the Singing Trail! - a Free Community Singing Event and Concert @ Central Park in Skokie: May 21, 2022 - Free and open to the public
Performance at Childcare Network of Evanston's Zero to Five K walk, Evanston: May 14, 2022
Completely student-led and student-designed mascot creation contest. The winner's drawing was made into a stuffed animal.
Alegría and Meraki continued to meet safely in person (both inside and outside) to sing and connect.

2020-2021 Season

World premiere recording of "The Soldiers Came," a 3-minute choral work commissioned by YCNS to celebrate our 5th anniversary.
Alegría and Meraki continued to meet both safely in person (outside), as well as online, to sing and connect.
Winter Singing - YCNS administered free online singing experiences (for K-12 singers in our community) taught by area music teachers: February 2021.

2020 Summer

Summer Chorus - Alegría & Meraki continued to sing, connect, and create musical offerings for the community during online rehearsals: June-July 2020.
Summer Singing - YCNS administered free online singing experiences (for K-12 singers in our community) taught by area music teachers: July 2020.

2019-2020 Season

Workshop with Ta-Tynisa Wilson, standby for Angelica, Eliza, and Peggy/Maria in Hamilton: October 28, 2019
Winter Recital: December 15, 2019, 2pm @ JRC - Free & open to the public
Performance for the residents of Westminster Place, Evanston: December 18, 2018
Performing the National Anthem at NU Women’s Basketball Game vs. Purdue: January 12, 2019
Winter Retreat for singers at Westminster Place, Evanston: February 28, 2020
Engaging online rehearsals which culminated in audio/video projects: March - May 2020

2018-2019 Season

Fall Retreat for singers at Northminster Presbyterian Church: October 5, 2018
Social outing to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at the Oriental Theater: October 20, 2018
Winter Recital: December 9, 2018, 2pm @ JRC - Free & open to the public
Performance for the residents of Westminster Place, Evanston: December 12, 2018
Carol singing for the St. A Café Soup Kitchen, Evanston: December 23, 2018
Performing the National Anthem at NU Women’s Basketball Game vs. Purdue: January 13, 2019
Performance and workshop for students in the Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center after school program: March 6, 2019
Performance and Fundraiser at Potbelly Sandwich Shop, Skokie: March 20, 2019 - open to the public
Interdisciplinary workshop with professional juggler, Jason Kollum, on our theme of "Balance." April 17, 2019
Spring Recital: May 19, 2019, 4pm @ JRC - Free & open to the public
Performance at the Evanston Public Library, Community Meeting Room, May 22, 2019, 4:45pm - Free & open to the public

2017-2018 Season

Performance with the Canadian Chamber Choir: October 14, 2017 @ Trinity United Methodist Church, Wilmette
Winter Recital: January 28, 2018, 4pm @ JRC
Performance for the residents of Westminster Place, Evanston: February 7, 2018
Interdisciplinary workshop with artist, Jill King, on our theme of "Shadows." February 28, 2018
Sing and Share Musical Exchange with Anima – Glen Ellyn Children’s Chorus and The Fort Wayne Children’s Chorus, March 3, 2018
SingFest participation for 4th-6th graders: April 21, 2018 in Elmhurst, IL
Spring Recital: May 6, 2018, 4pm @ JRC - Free & open to the public
Performance at the Evanston Public Library, Community Meeting Room, May 9, 2018, 4:45pm - Free & open to the public
Performance for the residents of Orchard Village, Skokie, May 16, 2018

2016-2017 Season

Winter Recital: January 29, 2017, 4pm @ JRC
Community Performance: March 8, 2017, 4:45pm @ the Evanston Public Library
SingFest participation for 4th and 5th graders: March 18, 2017 in Elmhurst, IL
Spring Recital: May 17, 2017, 6pm @ JRC