CHORUS WINNER, RUNNERS-UP: high school & youth choir

The American Prize is honored to announce the winner and runners-up in the high school/youth choir division of The American Prize in Choral Performance, 2014. Congratulations!  

All finalists receive written evaluations from a member of The American Prize judging panel.

Complete listings of finalists and semi-finalists in The American Prize competitions may be found elsewhere on this blog.  

Please make us aware of any misprints: theamericanprize@gmail.com

The American Prize in Choral Performance
—high school/youth choir division

The American Prize winner:
Young Women's Chorus of San Francisco
Susan McMane, director
San Francisco  CA

Young Women's Chorus of San Francisco

The Young Women’s Choral Projects of San Francisco (YWCP) was founded in 2012 with a mission to transform the lives of young women through exceptional artistry in choral performance and bring the expressive power of their music to the community, the nation, and the world.
YWCP consists of three ensembles whose members range in age from seven to eighteen and who represent the socio-economic diversity of the Bay Area. Singers rehearse twice weekly, and the advanced Young Women’s Chorus presents a six-concert season in the Bay Area, and annually tours nationally or internationally. With a repertoire that spans early music to contemporary compositions, YWC has already received accolades in Italy, on the SF Opera stage, and with the Kronos Quartet, whose founder David Harrington stated, “this is an incredible group of young musicians whose passion, and commitment to excellence are so clearly at the heart of every note they sing.”  
 
Among judges' comments: "...    warm, rich, open resonance throughout range…"


2nd Place:
THE DELPHIAN CHOIR
Great Falls High School   
Patrick Ryan, director
Great Falls  MT

THE DELPHIAN CHOIR

The Delphian Choir is one of seven choral ensembles at Great Falls High School, in Great Falls, Montana.  The group consists of forty sophomores through seniors, and membership is by audition.  Delphian is dedicated to building quality of character in its members through experiences in music.

Among judges' comments: "…. wonderful maturity, connectivity, and sensitivity…evident in this submission."


3rd Place:
ACCIDENTALS
Longmeadow High School
Kayla Werlin, director
Longmeadow  MA

ACCIDENTALS

Founded in 2004, The Accidentals are a 31-voice select women’s ensemble from Longmeadow High School. The group includes students in grades 9-12, and all singers in the group participate in one or more of LHS’ curricular musical ensembles, instrumental or vocal. The Accidentals rehearse one evening a week for two hours. In addition to performances at Longmeadow High School, The Accidentals have performed for the Massachusetts Music Educators’ Association, the Eastern Division of the National Association for Music Education, and the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts. Outside appearances have also included performances at Harvard University, Mt. Holyoke College and Carnegie Hall.

Among judges' comments: "…good sense of ensemble within rubato passages, great blend on vowels!"

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Congratulations!