Bring Harmony to our World- support the Oakland Youth Chorus' Our Songs, Our Stories - 2018 Auction

The Oakland Youth Chorus creates harmony. Bringing children and youth from different backgrounds to sing the world's music, we empower them to find their voices through music education and community performance and raise them for positive change in our world.

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“One thing I love about OYC is that we’re a large community. We welcome everyone and we love making music.”

-Caitlyn, Chamber Singers

Founded in 1974, the Oakland Youth Chorus(OYC) is the longest-running youth chorus in the East Bay. As Oakland's Musical Youth Ambassadors, OYC welcomes and serves all children and youth, celebrates their cultures and unique strengths, and connects them to each other to use their voices to bring harmony to our world. We accomplish this through joyful and affirming music education and performance programs that focus on musical excellence at all levels while nurturing the development of the whole child.

Our OYC Family is why 2/3 of our advanced middle and high school ensemble singers have been with the chorus since they were in elementary school, and 20% of our staff is returning alumni. 90% of singers who stay with OYC through senior year go on to college, and many- including Grammy winner Brad Wells, Broadway and American Idol's La Toya London, Beyonce and Steve Wonder Keyboardist and Grammy nominee Victoria Theodore, Broadway member of Tony award-winning musical Porgy and Bess Roosevelt Credit, and recording artist Goapele- go on to amazing careers in music.

Community performances provide opportunities for singers to connect across neighborhoods, foster greater community engagement, and engage in the arts as service learning experiences. We bring together 2000 students across 21 sites for 40-50 performances each year.

OYC singers develop self-confidence, respect for the music of several cultures, strong friendships, community engagement, and a lifelong love of music. Through empowering children and youth by creating safe, joyful opportunities to express themselves and connect through the arts, Oakland Youth Chorus changes the lives that will transform our communities.

Your support provides our singers throughout Oakland, Alameda, Berkeley, and Richmond with a place where their cultures are affirmed, their identities are celebrated, and where they belong.