Classical and contemporary music from cultures around the world, including American traditions such as musical theatre, African American spirituals and gospel, and vocal jazz.
Commonwealth Youth Choir
The Philadelphia, USA-based Commonwealth Youth Choir (“CYC”) was founded in 2001, and for many years operated as the Keystone State Boychoir, the Pennsylvania Girlchoir, and Find Your Instrument. In 2024, these programs and the Philadelphia Boys and Girls Choirs announced a joint venture, and the Keystone State Boychoir and Pennsylvania Girlchoir joined forces to become the all-gender Commonwealth Youth Choir. CYC empowers nearly 200 young singers from across the Greater Philadelphia region to find their voice – to express themselves boldly, and to strive for excellence – in rehearsal, on the stage, and as members of the community. Every week, young people between the ages of 6-18 come together to make music and share life experiences with highly skilled and experienced music educators.
CYC has sung for Popes, Presidents, and Nobel Prize winners, both at home and across the globe, having performed on all seven continents.
CYC has a long-standing history with travel to South Africa, and 2025 marks their fourth trip to the country, having traveled here previously in 2002, 2011, and 2018. The South Africa tour dates are July 19th to 31st, 2025.
Dr. Elizabeth Parker, Artistic Director
Dr. Elizabeth Cassidy Parker is Artistic and Education Advisor for PBGC/CYC, conducts Division II, and is Professor of Music Education at the Boyer College of Music and Dance at Temple University. An active clinician for children’s and youth choirs, Parker held the position of Director of Music for a large New York City not-for-profit where she grew a children’s choir program of more than 250 voices. While on music faculty at Columbus State University in Georgia, she was appointed the Artistic Director of the Voices of the Valley Youth Choir. Parkerhas also taught P-12 school and community choirs in New York, Nebraska, and Georgia, focusing on the vocal development of young people in choral contexts. Parker’s research interests include the social and philosophical development of adolescent choral singers as well as emerging identities of preservice music educators. She frequently presents her research nationally and internationally at such conferences as the American Choral Directors Association, The American Educational Research Association, NAfME’s Society for Research in Music Education, the Society for Music Teacher Education, and the International Society for Music Education. Parker is published in research journals such as The Journal of Research in Music Education, The Choral Journal, Music Education Research, Research Studies in Music Education, and The International Journal of Music Education. She frequently engages educators in practitioner workshops, guest conducts in honor choirs, and adjudicates choral festivals. Parker holds degrees from Oberlin Conservatory (BME and MME) and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (PhD).
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