The Lenoir-Rhyne Youth Chorus (LRYC) was founded in 1997 as part of the then new Sacred Music Program. Founding director Florence Jowers is an Associate Professor of Music at Lenoir-Rhyne University. From the beginning, the chorus has been comprised of three auditioned ensembles: Minnesingers (beginning singers), Meistersingers (advanced singers), and Chamber Singers (a smaller select ensemble).

LRYC has performed with other professional children’s choirs, has received only superior ratings in competitions, has toured throughout the southeast United States, and traveled to England and France. In England, the choir competed for and won the privilege of singing Evensong at Canterbury Cathedral. In Paris, the audience at the Church of the Madeleine gave the choir a standing ovation.

This year the Meistersingers have performed on the Lincoln County Concert Series, and in June they will travel to Denver, Colorado, to sing in the prestigious “Sing a Mile High Festival” with internationally known composer and conductor David Brunner.

In addition to the musical skills learned, choral singing develops maturity, character, discipline, group dynamics, dependability, creativity, decision-making, confidence, and self-esteem. The young singers will reap life-long rewards from their experiences in LRYC. Many of the choir’s former members have gone on to become leders in their high school choral and instrumental ensembles, and some eventually major in music in college (often at L-R.)

The choir performs a major concert each spring and fall, and regularly sings for other church and civic events.

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