The Alberta Youth Choir is the provincial honour choir for singers ages 16-22, and provides a unique opportunity for outstanding young singers to join forces in the pursuit of choral excellence. The guest conductor for AYC 2026 is Director of Choral Studies at McGill University's Schulich School of Music's Jean-Sébastien Vallee.

TEACHERS & CONDUCTORS ARE INVITED TO RECOMMEND EXEMPLARY SINGERS TO AUDITION FOR THE 2026 ALBERTA YOUTH CHOIR.

​Acceptance into AYC is by a two-stage process outlined below.

Step 1: Recommend singers

Conductors/teachers can recommend up to 8 singers per choir for an AYC audition.

To recommend choristers:
  1. Each singer you recommend should receive a copy of the Recommendation Letter and Intention to Audition Form.
  2. If they intend to audition, they must complete the form and return it to you.
  3. You submit their completed forms online through the Conductor/Teacher Recommendation Form by clicking the button below.
The deadline to recommend choristers is ​Friday, Oct 24.

Step 2: Singers record + submit their auditions

Once the Recommendation Form has been submitted, an Audition Packet will be sent by email to each recommended chorister. The Audition Packet contains detailed audition instructions, and conductors/teachers may help their choristers in preparing for their audition. 

The audition is made up of:
  1. two basic vocal exercises
  2. a prepared piece (which can be the chorister’s part in one of the pieces your choir recently sang)
  3. a new piece (it is short, and we provide PDF scores)
  4. a rhythmic exercise
  5. a brief questionnaire

Choristers will submit all audition materials online - nothing is mailed in. The deadline for recommended choristers to upload their audition materials is Monday, Nov 17.
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​The final roster will be announced in December. The registration fee is $395 payable after official acceptance into the choir.  Bursaries are available, please contact the office at programs[at]choiralberta.ca/780-488-7464 for more info.

Schedule overview

Rehearsal weekend
31 Jan-1 Feb 2026
Calgary Stampede Youth Campus
Residency
19-21 Feb 2026
University of Alberta, Edmonton
Tour concert
21 Feb 2026
TBA
Showcase Concert
22 Feb 2026
Winspear Centre, Edmonton
Participation in ALL scheduled rehearsals and performances is mandatory for accepted choristers.