Lenoir-Rhyne Youth Chorus

Minnesingers is a choir for young singers who have demonstrated the ability to match pitch. This choir provides a foundation for progress and development in vocal music. Attention span and quiet concentration are points of focus, as well as practice and development in vocal technique, basic note, reading, solfege, and unison to two-part music.

Meistersingers is a choir comprised of treble singers who have demonstrated advanced vocal technique and music reading skills. The dedicated young artists of the ensemble present a season concert series in Hickory and the surrounding areas. This is also the primary touring choir of the organization. Emphasis is placed on more advanced vocal technique, music reading skills, performance, teamwork, and leadership.

Chamber Singers is a small ensemble designed to work with more mature treble voices that are self-motivators and independent singers. This group focuses on small group and advanced literature. Singers should have spent time developing healthy vocal skills as a Meistersingers before auditioning, but exceptions can be made for advanced students that are new to the ensemble. 

Singers are invited to participate in LRYC based on the skills demonstrated in audition. Students in grades 3-12 are eligible and invited to audition. LRYC welcomes young people of all races, backgrounds and abilities to be part of the program. A limited amount of tuition assistance is available for those demonstrating financial need.

It is expected that members of LRYC understand the meaning of commitment and responsibility in a choral setting. Each child and parent should consider membership in the choir as an honor. Dedication to the program will enhance the singer and will foster a strong foundation of responsibility for the singer, as well as the family’s personal experience Membership in LRYC is for one full season, which runs August through May. Singers are expected to remain active and committed for the entire season.

Auditions for LRYC can be scheduled by emailing the Community Music Coordinator, Kassandra Hutcheson, at kassandra.hutcheson@lr.edu or by calling the Lenoir-Rhyne Music Department office at 828.328.7147. 

Open auditions for singers are held in the fall and spring of each year. Auditions may also be scheduled throughout the season by special request. To move up an ensemble you must attend open auditions or schedule an audition. 

Open Auditions

• Fall 2025 auditions took place in August.
• Spring 2026 auditions are TBD.

Groups Rehearsal Times & Location

• Minnesingers - 5-6:15 p.m. (Band Room)
• Meistersingers - 7-8:30 p.m. (Choral Room)
• Chambersingers - 8:30-9 p.m. (Choral Room)

Fall 2025 (Tuesdays)

• September 16 - Rehearsal
• September 23 - Rehearsal
• September 30 - Rehearsal
• October 7 - Rehearsal
• October 14 - Rehearsal
• October 21 - Rehearsal
• October 28 -- Rehearsal
• November 4 - Rehearsal
• November 11 - Rehearsal
• November 18 - Rehearsal
• Saturday, November 22 - Dress Rehearsal (Choral Room), 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
• Sunday, November 23 - Concert (Grace Chapel), 1:30 p.m., Call Time - 3 p.m. - Concert

Spring 2026 (Tuesdays)

• January 13 - Rehearsal
• January 20 - Rehearsal
• January 27 - Rehearsal
• February 3 - Rehearsal
• February 10 - Rehearsal
• February 17 - Rehearsal
• February 24 - Rehearsal
• March 3 - Rehearsal
• March 10 - Rehearsal (tentative)
• March 17 - Rehearsal
• March 24 - Rehearsal
• March 31 - Rehearsal
• April 7 - Rehearsal (in Grace Chapel at LR)
• Saturday, April 11 - Dress Rehearsal (Choral Room), 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
• Sunday, April 12 - Spring Concert (Grace Chapel), 1:30 p.m. - Call Time, 3 p.m. - Concert

The LRYC will generally follow the decisions of the Catawba County Schools for closings due to weather unless there has been a substantial change in the weather after the school announcement. 

We will attempt to post our closings on our social media and send emails when practical. 
 

All dress rehearsals and performances are mandatory.  See handbook for more information. 

• Any conflicts that the student has with rehearsal dates must be communicated in writing as soon as possible, but not less than two weeks prior to the missed rehearsal. Whether or not the submitted absence will be excused is left the discretion of the director.
• Students will be granted up to a maximum of three excused absences per semester. Absences beyond the three excused absences will require the singer to pass off their music for the director to be eligible to perform at the concert at the end of the semester.
• Any singer with more than one unexcused absence per semester may be dismissed from the program, pending a review and conference with the director and the administrator.  If a student is dismissed from the program, tuition will not be refunded. 

Refer to the LRYC Handbook regarding school-related absences.
 

Current students should read and complete the forms below. 

• Emergency Medical Form
• Permission to Photograph & Release Information
   

Artistic Director
alexandria.mcneely2@lr.edu

M.M., Music Performance, Eastman School of Music
B.A, Vocal Performance and Sacred Music, Lenoir-Rhyne University

A proud alumna of the Lenoir-Rhyne Youth Chorus (LRYC), Alexandria McNeely returns to the program as interim conductor, bringing her passion for music education full circle.

A professional soprano, music director and adjunct professor, McNeely has built a thriving career on and off the stage, performing with companies such as Opera Carolina and earning top honors in vocal competitions, including the North Carolina District of the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition (2025).

Having begun her own choral journey with LRYC, McNeely is deeply committed to inspiring the next generation of young singers. Drawing from her extensive performance experience in opera, art song and musical theatre, as well as her leadership roles in choral direction and vocal instruction, she strives to create a supportive, joyful and challenging environment where students can grow as musicians and individuals.

McNeely is honored to step into this role and give back to the chorus that helped shape her love for music and community.

LRYC Accompanist
jenna.waters2@lr.edu

M.M., Organ Performance, University of North Carolina School of the Arts
B.A., Sacred Music and Music Performance, Lenoir-Rhyne University

Jenna Waters serves as the director of music and children’s ministries at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Hickory, where she is able to combine her love of music with her passion for sharing it. In her free time, Waters loves working on new organ repertoire, running and spending time with her Golden Retriever, Kobi.