Youth Chorale

Jefferson Youth Chorale was created under the direction of Peggy Haas Howell by Jefferson Choral Society in 2005 for a performance of John Rutter's Mass of the Children. The group was highly successful and was invited to sing annually in the Jefferson Choral Society Christmas concert under the direction of Mrs. Howell and JCS conductor Aaron Garber.

In 2009, Jefferson Youth Chorale expanded, seeking members from public and private schools as well as home-schooled students from Greater Lynchburg (Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, and Campbell counties and Lynchburg and Bedford cities). JYC members sang Christmas performances with Jefferson Chorale Society at Heritage United Methodist Church, and performed for Memorial Day weekend at the National D-Day Memorial with both Jefferson Choral Society and Cantate. The JYC also sang as guest artists with Cantate in their spring concert at St. John's, and sang the National Anthem at a Hillcats baseball game last May. For the past three summers, Jefferson Youth Chorale also sponsored summer vocal group singing programs at Camp Timothy and Jubilee Family Development Center in Lynchburg.

In recent season Jefferson Youth Chorale has conducted its work with support from the Richard and Caroline T. Gwathmey Memorial Trust, the Greater Lynchburg Community Trust, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Caring Communities Program and the Target Foundation. JCS board members, chorus parents and student interns have taken on roles as administrators, transportation coordinators and rehearsal accompanists. Cantate and St. John's Episcopal Church have also provided much-appreciated assistance.