Cornwall Youth Choir is our senior choir from 14 to 25 years. In this choir, they bring together all of their musical skills thus far and strengthen them through a range of repertoire, exercises and performances.

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Founder of the CYC family and CYC Musical Director Angela Renshaw explains why she chose one of CYC's most recent pieces:

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Song choice: Secret for the mad
Words and Music by Dodie
Arranged by George Chung

Choral setting - SSAB with optional solo
Duration: 5 mins 30 secs
The Carrie Tennant Choral Series
Published by Hal Leonard
 

Age of choir- 14-25
 

The song explores the challenges of dealing with depression or anxiety, highlighting how even the most ordinary, everyday activities can provide comfort and help you push through to tomorrow. It reassures
listeners that one day they will genuinely feel okay and mean it when they say it.

I chose this song during a particularly challenging time for some of our CYC singers. They were coming to rehearsals burdened with visible and hidden struggles from home, school, and friendships. Their low mood and self-esteem were affecting their singing, and occasional emotional outbursts unrelated to the rehearsal room were impacting their well-being. We have always emphasized the importance of genuine emotional connections in our repertoire, leading to a new level of honesty with each other. Some singers genuinely prefer solitude, yet they find solace in the songs that foster a sense of community. This song, in particular, allows each singer to openly share their worries and joys.
I searched for songs that dealt with young people’s mental health and was surprised to see such a large range of songs.

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Musically, this one, was quick to learn, with the advantage that there are 3 upper voice parts and 1 lower voice part that sits high in the vocal register. This was particularly easy for CYC to learn and I feel it added real value to their performance.

We asked the singers to reflect on their own genuine worries and fears, as well as the activities or events that truly bring them happiness. We held open discussions about this together. This was a suggestion by the choral series promoter and I am pleased that we did it. I then created a two-column list and invited each singer to anonymously contribute two words describing their feelings. Using these words, I made large, two-sided cards, each featuring a word from both columns. The singers were then asked to select a card, which could be their own words or someone else's. No one knew who wrote what.

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Tips for working with a Youth Choir aged 14-25

Build Trust and Rapport
Create a positive and inclusive environment where every member feels valued and respected. Establish open communication and encourage singers to share their thoughts and feelings.

Foster a Sense of Community
Encourage teamwork and camaraderie among choir members. Activities like icebreakers, team-building exercises, and social gatherings can strengthen the bonds between singers.

Set Clear Expectations
Clearly outline your goals, expectations to attend rehearsals, and performances. We’re finding that CYC prefer structure that’s fair and open so that they understand what’s expected of them and stay committed.

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Pay attention to Vocal Health

Teach the importance of technique, use of the breath and vocal warm-ups.

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Diversify Repertoire
Choose a variety of music that appeals to different tastes and skill levels. Incorporate both contemporary and classical pieces to keep rehearsals interesting and challenging.

Stay Connected with Parents
Keep parents informed and involved. Send clear communication about rehearsals, performances, and any concerns can help build a supportive community.

Fun and Creativity
Balance hard work with fun activities verging on the daft! Include games, and creative moments to keep rehearsals engaging and enjoyable. Use older singers to lead some warm-ups.

 

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