"VAP has provided access to some of the most amazing teachers I could ever imagine."
-Anna from Belmont (2009 Encouragement Award)

Established in 1994, the Vocal Apprenticeship Program (VAP) inspires thousands of students grades 3-12 each year to sing, learn, and smile. VAP is one of the Society's most important educational initiatives, addressing the needs of a special group of talented urban youngsters — those for whom the study of music can outline a path toward higher education and a career in music. The program provides intensive study in voice, theory, and piano, along with the mentoring and guidance these young singers need in order to reach their full potential, musically, academically, and personally. In the 2009–2010 academic year VAP served 185 students from 42 Massachusetts communities.

Performance Opportunities:

• Singers (preparatory choir, ages 8-11)
  
  Watch a video of the VAP Singers

  Handel and Haydn Society Singers, a 20-25 member ensemble, is a fun and engaging experience for young students (grades 3-5) who might be new to singing and music, or are just learning to read music. Students sing unison and two-part songs in a variety of musical styles and receive free theory classes. Singers perform at various venues including Boston Latin School, the Cutler Majestic Theatre at Emerson College, area churches, and are featured at select Society events, such as the Gala Benefit. Heather Tryon conducts both Singers and Youth Chorus.

• Youth Chorus (ages 11-14)
  
  Watch a video of the VAP Youth Chorus

  Established in 1994, Handel and Haydn Society Youth Chorus features over 50 choristers of diverse backgrounds from 27 communities (grades 6-8) and made its Symphony Hall debut in Dan Welcher's JFK: The Voice of Peace in 1999, and its Jordan Hall debut in 2002. Youth Chorus has performed at the Chorus America National Conference, the WCRB Cartoon Festival at Symphony Hall, the Mary Baker Eddy Library, the Boston Democratic Convention, and the Leonard P. Zakim/Bunker Hill Bridge ceremonies as well as at Symphony Hall in several of the Society's Holiday Sing concerts. Its New York City debut was at the 2006 American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) Eastern Division Conference, with the Dedham Choral Society in Jenkin's The Armed Man: a Mass for Peace. In addition, the ensemble has been featured in separate offerings of Carmina Burana with Boston College and The Brookline Chorus, Project Step’s 25th Anniversary Gala, and Vox Lumiere's The Hunchback of Notre Dame rock musical at the Cutler Majestic Theatre. The Youth Chorus performs a variety of musical styles, including classical, folksongs, and world music in three part harmonies. Heather Tryon conducts both Youth Chorus and Singers.

• Young Men's Chorus (ages 13-18)
  
  Watch a video of the VAP Young Men's Chorus

  Established in 2006, Handel and Haydn Society Young Men's Chorus provides young men with changing to changed voices (grades 7-12) a vigorous and musically challenging experience, with a mission to learn and perform repertoire from a variety of music ranging from classical to popular and multi-ethnic a cappella. The Young Men's Chorus has performed at Symphony Hall, Tufts University, the National Heritage Museum, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), Massachusetts Superintendents’ Roundtable, and the Cutler Majestic Theatre as well as at select Society events like the Gala Benefit. The Young Men's Chorus has also enjoyed collaborating with men's glee clubs from Tufts, WPI, Ithaca College, and Harvard University in workshops and young men’s festivals during the last three years. Joseph Stillitano conducts the Young Men’s Chorus.

• Young Women’s Chorus (ages 15-18)
  
  Watch a video of the VAP Young Women's Chorus

  Handel and Haydn Society Young Women's Chorus is a musically challenging ensemble for high school age females (grades 9-12), and features over 70 members from 41 communities in three New England states. The chorus began under the direction of Sandra Piques Eddy in 1999, who left in 2001 to pursue her career with the Metropolitan Opera. The Young Women's Chorus made its Jordan Hall debut in 2004, on the Society’s German Christmas program with Grant Llewellyn, and its Symphony Hall debut in 2006 on the Society's Holiday Sing program. The chorus has also performed at Wellesley College, the Project Place gospel brunch with Channel 5's David Brown, and several Make-A-Wish Foundation events at Boston University and Northeastern University as well as in Berg's Wozzeck with the New England Philharmonic in 2007, and at the 2008 Harvard Women's Choir Festival in Sanders Theatre. In 2010, the Young Women's Chorus joined the New England Philharmonic for Ronald Perera's Earth Songs. The Young Women's Chorus performs primarily classical repertoire, but also enjoys folksongs, spirituals, jazz, and a cappella music in 3 and 4 parts. Lisa Graham conducts the Young Women’s Chorus.

• High School Soloists
  High School Soloists receive private vocal instruction as well as options in theory, piano, ensemble & chamber music at New England Conservatory and Boston Latin School.

Audition for VAP »

For more information, contact Robin Baker at 617 262 1815, x126 or rbaker@handelandhaydn.org
The Handel and Haydn Society is extremely grateful to the generous financial assistance and support provided by New England Conservatory and the Boston Latin School to make VAP possible.