Youth Chorus on the Rise
Strathmore’s young singers expand their horizons with new opportunities and a fresh name.
By Kate Oczypok
Strathmore Children’s Chorus, founded 12 years ago by the late Christopher Guerra, has experienced remarkable growth and transformation. The chorus teacher at A. Mario Loiederman Middle School for the Creative & Performing Arts, Guerra envisioned a program to create a home at Strathmore for young singers across the region. Inspired by the Children’s Chorus of Washington, he laid the foundation for a program that would expand access and engage young singers in Montgomery County—a single ensemble of nearly 100 young singers performing at Strathmore.
Since Guerra’s retirement in 2017, Artistic Director Michael Wu has carried forward this mission, growing the chorus to nearly 200 singers across six ensembles. Reflecting the maturity of its members, many of whom are now in middle and high school, the ensemble was rebranded this season as Strathmore Youth Chorus (SYC).
“We wanted to make sure the name reflects the strength of the experience for students of all ages,” says Lauren Campbell, Strathmore’s vice president of education and community engagement. “We’ve always focused on building strong, independent singers through rehearsals and performance prep, but since Michael joined, we’ve added a music theory curriculum—an extra layer of learning beyond the stage.” Recently, the chorus has enhanced its offerings with new ensemble levels, more performances, and travel opportunities around the region.
A highlight of the past year is the establishment of SYC’s Touring Chorus, which traveled to the Appalachian Young Voices Festival in West Virginia last June. In April 2025, the group will perform in New York City, where they’ll also attend a Broadway show, participate in workshops with Broadway actors, and work with nationally recognized choral clinicians.
Lily Fischer, 16, describes the opportunity to tour during her second year at SYC as “really cool,” noting the close connections formed in the smaller group and the chance to perform additional songs. “We have a lot of fun together,” she says, adding that performing on the Concert Hall stage never gets old. “It’s just amazing to be able to stand there with that huge audience and be able to sing,” says Fischer.
In December, SYC’s Touring Chorus made its television debut in the WETA Arts Songs of the Season 2024 special. Performing the piece “Shiru,” filmed at its 2023 holiday concert, the chorus was one of 15 groups featured on the program.
Upcoming performances include the Maryland Young Voices Festival in Baltimore this March, a collaboration on John Rutter’s “Mass of the Children” in April, and their spring concert at Strathmore on May 31.