Elizabeth Núñez, Mark Shapiro, Francisco J. Núñez, Rollo Dilworth, and Johnny Rabe join in for “Hey Jude”
On Saturday, October 19, 2019, the Young People’s Chorus of New York City hosted their second annual YPC Big Sing. Community members of all ages came out in droves to attend this sold-out singalong event, which took place at Gerald W. Lynch Theater. YPC Founder and Artistic Director Francisco J. Núñez and Associate Artistic Director Elizabeth Núñez were joined by special guest artists a cappella group Midtown, led by Joe Cerutti of the Barbershop Harmony Society, and Carnegie Hall teaching artist Nick Demeris.
YPC choristers perform “A Sound of Music Medley” from this summer’s award-winning tour
Hundreds of New Yorkers gather for YPC’s first-ever community sing-along
The YPC Big Sing opened dramatically with YPC choristers slowly filing into the hall producing a surround-sound performance of “Hallelujah” led by Francisco Núñez. Then, with the words projected on stage, the audience had their turn, with Francisco leading them in a rousing rendition of “If I Had a Hammer.” In an early highlight of the afternoon, YPC Conductor Sonny Willis made a cameo appearance singing a solo in “That’s Amore.”
Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer congratulates YPC on its 30th anniversary
Hundreds of New Yorkers gather for YPC’s first-ever community sing-along
The high-energy Midtown quartet wowed the audience with its complex harmonies in two barbershop pieces. Afterwards, the audience put their skills to the test when Joe Cerutti taught them a barbershop tag with four separate voice parts.
Francisco J. Núñez leads the crowd in “La Bamba”
Tish Rabe reads letter from Bob McGrath, as Kermit and Baritone Johnny Rabe stand by.
Elizabeth Núñez led the audience in a medley of classic favorites from “Mary Poppins” and followed that up with “New York New York,” which was energetically capped by every person in the hall engaging in a massive kick line.
Guest conductor Rollo Dilworth
Guest conductor Rollo Dilworth
Guest conductor Mark Shapiro
Nick Demeris challenged the crowd with a traditional Brazilian folk song, accentuated by a loop pedal and 15 looped tracks he had prepared especially for the concert.
Guest conductor Mark Shapiro
Guest conductor Rollo Dilworth
To close this year’s YPC Big Sing, Francisco returned to the stage to thank the audience members for coming and for their support over the years. Then, joined by the guest artists, conductors, and YPC choristers, he led the 600-voice, theaterwide choir of singers of all ages and from all corners of the New York City community in an exciting—and entirely fitting— performance of “Love Train.”
Guest conductor Rollo Dilworth
Photos by Stephanie Berger