About Commonwealth Youthchoirs (CY)
a 501(c)3 non-profit organization
Pennsylvania Girlchoir
A program of Commonwealth Youthchoirs
Our mission is to transform the lives of young people through the power of making music together …one song at a time.
Commonwealth Youthchoirs (CY) is a non-profit, community-based, non-denominational 501(c)3 arts organization headquartered in the Germantown neighborhood of Philadelphia that proudly administers five distinct programs that nurture a love of singing and a desire for excellence in nearly 600 young people in the Southeastern Pennsylvania and South Jersey region. CY offers outstanding choral education and life-changing performance opportunities to its young people here at home and abroad.
Keystone State Boychoir (KSB) was founded in 2001 by Steven Fisher and Joseph Fitzmartin. Their vision was to create a different kind of boychoir in the city. Instead of discouraging the boundless energy of boys, they channel it into enthralling music making for both the boys themselves and the people for whom they sing. KSB is proud to be the only choir in history to have sung on all seven continents – including Antarctica.
In 2004, the founders created KSB’s sister choir, Pennsylvania Girlchoir (PG), the very first girlchoir in the city. With it, the umbrella organization CY was established.
In 2008, CY created Find Your Instrument! (FYI!), a partner program with under-resourced schools that have no formal choral program.
In 2016, CY launched Garden State Girlchoir (GSG) and in 2017, New Jersey Boychoir (NJB). CY is the largest youth choral arts organization in the tristate area.
Through exceptional choral singing, young people are offered many opportunities to develop leadership skills while also learning to work together to achieve a common goal. Whether singing for people in a local retirement community, presidents, popes, or Nobel peace prize winners, they are ambassadors for their region and their country.
Our Core Values
We believe that the deep and caring connection between our Choral Directors and our young Singers is as essential to musical achievement as is musical knowledge. Our choral learning communities promote self-discipline, commitment, camaraderie and leadership in our Singers. We value diversity in repertoire, in the cultural experiences we provide our young singers through touring, and especially in the backgrounds of our members and our audience.
Our Philosophy
Our philosophy is that of Leonard Bernstein’s: Music making should be fun all the time – especially rehearsals, since we spend most of our time in rehearsals. Still, we believe in hard work. If it’s not hard, it’s not special. Membership in Commonwealth Youthchoirs requires great commitment, but the rewards are equally great. A child joins FYI!, GSG, KSB, NJB, and PG as a singer, but leaves as a Singer-Musician. For participating children, the skills they learn, the music they make, the places they go, and the people they meet are deeply transformative experiences that will serve them and stay with them all their lives.
Our Programs
Commonwealth Youthchoirs offers five programs, which combined serve more than 800 young people.
Find Your Instrument (FYI!) brings choral music to children who otherwise would have no music in their lives, helping them discover their singing voices and the profound joy of singing. Visit the FYI! website…
Garden State Girlchoir (GSG) maintains a repertoire steeped in the classical tradition, enhanced by music from many cultures and time periods. GSG has been lauded as “a happy addition to the musical resources of the region.” Visit the GSG website…
Keystone State Boychoir (KSB) channels the energy of boys, ages 8-18, into transformative, music-making experiences for the singers and their audiences. KSB is the only choir in history to sing in Antarctica. Visit the KSB website…
New Jersey Boychoir (NJB) channels the boundless energy of boys into music making of the highest standards that results in the unforgettable experiences for singers and audiences alike. Visit the NJB website…
Pennsylvania Girlchoir (PG) is made up of extraordinary girls, ages 8-18, who make extraordinary music. PG audiences include everyone from children in underserved schools to Nobel Peace Prize winners. Visit the PG website…
2019 Annual Report
Commonwealth Youthchoirs Board of Directors
- Peter Kohn, Chair
- Linda Deis, Vice Chair
- Mark Hillman, Treasurer
- Alexandra Parson, Secretary
- Leanne Clancy
- Chris Day
- Bincy John
- Jamaar Julal
- Donald Klunk
- Mary Kate McGrath May
- Lynn Pokrifka
- Christine Robertson
- Chris Simcox
- Jane Trombly
- Lisa Zorn
- Joseph Fitzmartin Ex officio
Advisory Board
- Jeffrey Brillhart
Singing City - Dr. Rollo Dilworth
Temple University - Alan Harler
Mendelssohn Club, Emeritus Music Director
Temple University, Emeritus Director of Choral Activities - Dr. Kathy Robinson
University of Alberta - Stephen Schwartz
ASCAP Foundation
Commonwealth Youthchoirs Staff
- Joseph P. Fitzmartin, Founder
- Dr. Elizabeth C. Parker, Co-Artistic Director
- Frank J. Van Atta, Co-Artistic Director
- Julie Donahue, Director of Programs
- Martha Platt, Business Director
- Jill Ringold, Development Associate
- Kathleen Powell, Membership Coordinator
- Rachel Rossbach, CY Program Assistant
- Angela Wende, Tour Manager
- John Kahler, Websites
- Lawrence Hoenig, Anonymous Conductor
- Hafez Javier Kotain, Percussion Instructor
- Robert Balfour-Austin, Staff Librarian
- Irene Bakis, Staff Accompanist
Find Your Instrument! Staff
- Dr. Elizabeth C. Parker and Frank J. Van Atta, Co-Artistic Directors
- Ebonye Holmes, Program Manager
- Marlis Kraft, Teaching Artist
Garden State Girlchoir Staff
- Dr. Elizabeth C. Parker, Artistic Director
- Patti Walz, Accompanist
Keystone State Boychoir Staff
- Frank J. Van Atta, Artistic Director
- Joseph P. Fitzmartin, Music Director
- Sira Jittaporim, Joshua Suslak, Collaborative Pianists
- Ebonye Holmes, Rehearsal Manager
New Jersey Boychoir Staff
- Frank J. Van Atta, Artistic Director
- Sira Jittaporim, Collaborative Pianist
Pennsylvania Girlchoir Staff
- Dr. Elizabeth C. Parker, Artistic Director
- Ya-Jhu Yang & Marianne Gruzwalski, PG Associate Music Directors
- Joshua Suslak, Collaborative Pianist
- Jennifer Moorhatch, Elizabeth Manus, Johee Kim, Rehearsal Accompanists
- John Eckert, Rehearsal Managers