About
Berks Youth Chorus offers choral and music education, music performance, and virtual programs. Singers take part in a core experience called Chorus for Causes, where they research and select a local cause each season to inspire advocacy and service, and support advocacy for causes they have researched and selected.
• Ages: 8–18 years old
Since 1992, Berks Youth Chorus has provided young singers the opportunity to perform in venues such as nursing homes, churches, concert halls, and hospitals. The organization was founded by Donald Hinkle in 1992 as Berks Classical Children’s Chorus, originally offering two ensembles, Prep Chorus and Chorale, for children in grades 4–9. Over the years, it expanded to serve children up to grade 12, moved to the GoggleWorks in 2005, and became Berks Youth Chorus (BYC) in 2012. It now hosts three ensembles for grades 3 to 12: Choristers for grades 3–4, Chorale for grades 5 and up, and MasterSingers for grades 8 and up.
The mission of Berks Youth Chorus is to enrich the community by fostering and promoting choral excellence in young people through music education and quality performances. The chorus has expanded its repertoire to include music from a wide array of cultures, time periods, languages, and religions. In 2020, it reinvented the choral experience by instituting new virtual programs and adding an emphasis on personal growth and leadership across its programs. The organization strives to cultivate leadership, confidence, friendship, creativity, and joy for choral singing, and it prepares young singers to serve as community leaders and contribute to a world that is inspired by and connected through music. Singers are encouraged to set and meet challenges for their musical and personal growth at every rehearsal and performance, lead and learn to lead while exploring the world through music, and work together to solve problems, design creative solutions, and explore perspectives they have not heard or considered before.
Last updated July 14, 2026.
• Ages: 8–18 years old
Since 1992, Berks Youth Chorus has provided young singers the opportunity to perform in venues such as nursing homes, churches, concert halls, and hospitals. The organization was founded by Donald Hinkle in 1992 as Berks Classical Children’s Chorus, originally offering two ensembles, Prep Chorus and Chorale, for children in grades 4–9. Over the years, it expanded to serve children up to grade 12, moved to the GoggleWorks in 2005, and became Berks Youth Chorus (BYC) in 2012. It now hosts three ensembles for grades 3 to 12: Choristers for grades 3–4, Chorale for grades 5 and up, and MasterSingers for grades 8 and up.
The mission of Berks Youth Chorus is to enrich the community by fostering and promoting choral excellence in young people through music education and quality performances. The chorus has expanded its repertoire to include music from a wide array of cultures, time periods, languages, and religions. In 2020, it reinvented the choral experience by instituting new virtual programs and adding an emphasis on personal growth and leadership across its programs. The organization strives to cultivate leadership, confidence, friendship, creativity, and joy for choral singing, and it prepares young singers to serve as community leaders and contribute to a world that is inspired by and connected through music. Singers are encouraged to set and meet challenges for their musical and personal growth at every rehearsal and performance, lead and learn to lead while exploring the world through music, and work together to solve problems, design creative solutions, and explore perspectives they have not heard or considered before.
Last updated July 14, 2026.
Is this your business? There is no cost, but you will be asked to sign up or log in.