Dear BYC community, 

First and foremost, we miss you all so very much! The songs, the laughter, the goofiness and the hard work of all of our choristers - it’s not the same without it all. We’re especially sad to have lost the opportunity to share our singers’ music at the two scheduled MainStage performances in March and June. 

This is a difficult time. We’ve heard from so many of you out there about job losses, the struggle of homeschooling while working from home, the anxieties of worrying about the health of older parents and the long-term economic impact of this situation. We, too, are participating in the same slew of emotions, and feel for our community so very much.

Dear BYC families, 

First, we want to say that we are thinking of you all and are missing our weekly music during this time of crisis! We hope that you are all staying close to your families and are finding ways to make music on a daily basis. 

We are terribly saddened to share with you that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the BYC staff and board have made the unfortunate decision to close operations for the rest of the 2019-2020 season. This means that the March and June concerts, as well as tours, activities, and rehearsals, are all canceled. Staff have been laid off and will be paid through mid-April.

Dear BYC families, 

After rehearsals on March 9th, BYC staff have decided that we will cancel all upcoming rehearsals through March 22nd. We will re-evaluate the situation for March 23rd. 

Please note that this decision was made with the support of our rental home at Cross of Christ, as well as our staff and families, in addition to recommendations from King County Public Health. While we don't know of any COVID-19 cases in our community, we believe that it is the right time for us to make this decision and practice social distancing as we anticipate further closures of workplaces, schools, and activities. 

Dear BYC families, 

Thank you all for your patience and flexibility during this unsettling time. As we monitor the situation, we continue to prioritize the safety and well-being of our community while still thinking of ways to provide musical experiences to our choristers. 

It is important to note that there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Bellevue School District or BYC community at this time. Based on recommendations from Public Health, and following the Bellevue School District, we are currently planning to hold rehearsals next week as planned, barring any major developments regarding Coronavirus (Covid-19).

Winter weather information 

In case of snow, we will cancel rehearsals according to Bellevue School District closures. BYC Staff will email and post on our website and on Facebook. Read the full closure information in our handbook: 

Snow Closure Bellevue Youth Choirs will close for snow according to the most conservative Bellevue snow closures (whichever closes earlier and stays closed longer), although rehearsals may be canceled even if schools are in session, depending on afternoon road and weather conditions. Closures will be reported via email and on our website. In the event of a rehearsal cancellation due to weather or other emergency events, BYC will attempt to schedule make-up rehearsals whenever possible. Rescheduling is not guaranteed.

Living in such a diverse area means that BYC singers have friends from all over the world, and are already aware of different cultures and languages -- many of them are bilingual themselves! That means that it isn’t a surprise to singers when we program songs in a foreign language. Intermezzo singer Jordan loves to learn new languages! Listen to his thoughts via YouTube.

Since our founding in 2012, BYC has taught musicianship skills to hundreds of youth in a dynamic, engaging way. Schola Voce singer Talia is one of many singers who loves to learn with BYC. You can listen as she shares her thoughts here.

At BYC, we believe a music education is an essential part of a child’s growth as an individual and in a community. Choir is the perfect place to develop music and performing skills in a supportive, caring environment led by talented directors. 

Dear BYC Community,

The Bellevue Youth Choirs Board of Directors is pleased to welcome our new Artistic Director, Mr. Nicholas Gorne! After conducting a thorough search, Mr. Gorne stood out as having the experience, ideas, and vision to lead and grow BYC into the future.

As we welcome Mr. Gorne, we also say goodbye to our most amazing Interim Artistic Director, Ms. Melissa Headrick. 

DAY TWO: JUNE 25

They made it to Edinburgh! After apparently running to the gate, the Touristers made it onto their flight connection from Heathrow to Edinburgh. They're now safely ensconced in the their hotel and are beating the jet lag blues by practicing some of their tour music. 

Today they practice their music and get an early night's sleep, but tomorrow they hit the town and start exploring Edinburgh. 

DAY SIX: JUNE 29

The Touristers spent this morning on the Freedom of the Lakes Cruise with a lovely view of Bowness-on-Windermere. 

In the afternoon we rehearsed with the Amabile Girls' Choir and the Westmorland Youth Orchestra for our combined concert later in the evening. Our "Jacob's Join" potluck dinner gave us the chance to talk with kids from a different background.