The Yuba Sutter Youth Choir performs during the summer. Photo courtesy of YSAC

MARYSVILLE, CA (MPG) - Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the Spring 2024 season of the Yuba Sutter Youth Choir. The new set of classes gets underway with rehearsals on Thursday, March 7.  The theme for this session is the “Retro Groovy 70s.”

The Yuba Sutter Youth Choir is one of Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture’s Arts in Education programs. During COVID, the popular program had to be suspended. Classes will again be held at the Burrows Theater at 630 E St. in Marysville.  Instruction is offered for students from 7-14 years of age. Weekly classes will be held on Thursdays starting on March 7th through May 23rd. A grand finale performance will be held on May 24th at 7 p.m. Prior choir experience is not required. Come learn from the best. The choir is open to children 7-14 years of age. The rehearsal schedule for 7-9-year-olds is from 4-5 p.m. and for 10-14-year-olds from 5-6:30 p.m. Both sessions will be held on Thursdays beginning March 7th.

The cost for the spring session is $20 per student which includes the students’ music portfolio and a Youth Choir T-shirt.  Full scholarships are available for qualifying students. The choir will learn songs from the 70s including “Rocket Man,” “Honky Cat,” and “Crocodile Rock” as part of an Elton John medley along with “Lean on Me,” “Dancing Queen,” and other great songs.

The Yuba Sutter Youth Choir performs donning Choir T-shirts. Photo courtesy of YSAC

Once again, the Youth Choir will be directed by the incomparable Gay Galvin. Gay has been singing and playing piano since she was six years old. Trained in classical and jazz styles, she has worked in big bands, musicals, jazz trios, and various classical ensembles.  She is an accomplished vocalist and has taught choir at all age levels. Gay is a founder of the Yuba Sutter Big Band. Originally from Ohio, Gay has a master’s degree in music. She teaches piano in her studio in Marysville.  She plays most musical genres and has even played in rock bands. Gay also leads her own jazz trio.

“I’m so privileged to lead the Youth Choir again this year,” said Gay.  “And what better way to engage young singers than with the universally loved songs from the 70s,” she added.

Gay Galvin, director and pianist. Photo courtesy of YSAC

“We are pleased to be able to restart our Youth Choir program and especially now that we can continue to offer it to students at a significantly reduced rate thanks to additional grant funding we’ve received,” said David Read, Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture executive director. 

Interested parents or guardians should visit yubasutterarts.org to register or contact YSAC at 530-742-ARTS or email abbie@yubasutterarts.