Discover Your Voice. Find Your Community.

The Young Singers of Charlotte is the Charlotte Master Chorale’s high school youth choral program, created for talented young singers who are passionate about music, artistry, and community. Through inspiring performances, high-level musical training, and a welcoming, student-centered environment, Young Singers of Charlotte empowers young musicians to grow as confident singers, leaders, and collaborators.

Under the direction of Aj Calpo, singers experience exceptional choral music-making while building lifelong friendships and musical skills.

Whether you are an experienced chorister or a dedicated young musician seeking a new challenge, we invite you to audition and become part of our inaugural season.

Chorus Information

The Young Singers of Charlotte is a new auditioned youth chorus for singers in grades 9–12. The ensemble performs a diverse range of repertoire spanning classical masterworks, contemporary choral music, spirituals, folk traditions, musical theatre, and music from cultures around the world.

As part of the Charlotte Master Chorale family, Young Singers of Charlotte offers students the opportunity to engage with one of the Southeast’s leading choral organizations while developing musicianship, artistry, and confidence in a supportive and inclusive environment.

The ensemble will present independent performances throughout the season and collaborate in select Charlotte Master Chorale projects and community events.

Special thanks to Bill Crowder, whose generous founding gift makes the Charlotte Master Chorale Young People’s Chorus possible.

About the Program

The Young Singers of Charlotte is designed for students who are eager to pursue musical excellence while experiencing the joy and connection of ensemble singing.

Singers will receive:

  • High-quality choral instruction and vocal training
  • Music literacy and sight-singing development
  • Performance opportunities throughout the Charlotte community
  • Exposure to a wide variety of musical styles and traditions
  • Mentorship from professional musicians and educators
  • A welcoming and inclusive artistic community

Our program emphasizes artistry, collaboration, discipline, creativity, and personal growth while fostering a lifelong love of music.

Young Singers of Charlotte is committed to cultivating an inclusive and equitable musical community where all students feel welcomed, valued, and empowered to thrive. We believe the choral art form is strengthened by diverse voices, backgrounds, identities, and experiences, and we strive to create a program that reflects and celebrates the richness of the greater Charlotte community.

Auditions

Membership in the Young Singers of Charlotte is by audition only.

Auditions are open to students in grades 9–12 and are designed to be welcoming, encouraging, and age-appropriate. Auditions are held twice a year, in May/June and September, and must be scheduled and confirmed in advance. The next rounds of auditions will be held Tuesday, June 2, 2026, and Tuesday, September 15, 2026.

Rehearsal Information

Rehearsals for the Young Singers of Charlotte take place weekly on Tuesday evenings from 6:30–8:30 PM during the school year at Covenant Presbyterian Church. Additional rehearsals may occasionally be scheduled in preparation for performances or collaborative projects. A detailed rehearsal and performance calendar will be provided to accepted singers prior to the beginning of the season.

Membership Requirements

The Young Singers of Charlotte is committed to maintaining a positive, collaborative, and high-achieving musical environment.
 
Membership is limited to rising ninth through twelfth graders.
 
Members are expected to:
  1. Remain active participants in their school choral programs throughout their membership in Young Singers of Charlotte. This ensemble is intended to supplement—not replace—a student’s school music education experience.
  2. Attend rehearsals and performances consistently and arrive prepared
  3. Demonstrate respectful and professional behavior toward fellow singers, staff, and volunteers
  4. Practice music independently between rehearsals
  5. Participate fully in performances and program activities
  6. Support a welcoming and inclusive ensemble culture

Because ensemble singing depends on the preparation and participation of every member, consistent attendance is essential.

Tuition

The Young Singers of Charlotte is committed to accessibility and believes finances should never be a barrier to participation. Thanks to the generous support of our donors, including Bill Crowder, whose generous founding gift makes the Young Singers of Charlotte possible, there is no cost to participate.

Audition Requirements

In-person auditions are designed to help us learn more about each singer’s musical background, vocal potential, and readiness for ensemble participation.

Students interested in auditioning for the Young Singers of Charlotte should first complete the audition interest form to the right.

As part of the in-person audition, students will be asked to:

  • Prepare and sing a piano‐accompanied solo of their own choice or a choral octavo or school choir selection that best showcases their voice and musicianship
  • Participate in simple vocal exercises to assess range, tone, and vocal potential
  • Complete a brief sight-reading assessment*
  • Complete aural (ear training) exercises involving short melodic and rhythmic patterns*
  • Complete a short written questionnaire about their musical interests, goals, and ensemble experience

*Sight-reading and musicianship exercises are intended to help us better understand each singer’s current level of experience and potential for growth. Students should not feel intimidated by these portions of the audition, and sight-reading results alone will not determine acceptance into the ensemble. We all learn music in different ways.

Audition Sign-Up Form

Meet the Director

Aj Calpo

Aj Calpo is a passionate music educator finishing his tenth year of teaching in public high schools. As Chorus Director and Piano Instructor at Sun Valley High School, he has built a program defined by musical rigor and a culture of empathy. His student-centered philosophy emphasizes not only artistic excellence, but also the formation of compassionate, engaged young people through music-making and community.

A hallmark of Aj’s teaching is a daily ritual where students practice “thanking their neighbors” at the end of their time together—whether through a simple word of gratitude or a shared secret handshake. This focus on connection roots the ensemble in his fundamental belief that building good people is just as important as building good musicians.

Aj holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Wingate University and will complete his Master’s Degree in Music Education at Florida State University this summer. He currently serves as Technology Chair for the North Carolina Music Educators Association High School Choral Section and previously served as Education Coordinator for the Charlotte Master Chorale, leading the Young Artist in Residence program.