SOMa Youth Choir

The South Orange/Maplewood (SOMa) Youth Choir (SYC) was founded in 2017 by Maplewood residents, music educators, and friends, Erin Smith and Viraj Lal. Together, they have over 25 years combined experience in K-12 choral music education. 

The SOMa Youth Choir was born out of the idea to extend and support the great music programs already intact in the South Orange Maplewood School District (SOMSD) and surrounding communities. SYC developed into an organization that, at the heart of it:

    • defends and advocates for music and arts education;
    • supports music educators, local musicians, and others in the arts;
    • collaborates with and promotes community events;
    • provides a high-quality music experience for choristers, families,
      and patrons of the choir;
    • embraces our diversity and brings communities together through music

SYC has four choir divisions, each named after local landmarks and historical figures, beginning at third grade through the high school years. Children from primarily South Orange and Maplewood, as well as neighboring towns, come together each week from September through June to rehearse. They give between four and ten concerts throughout the year- depending on their choir level- in and around the SOMa community.

Committed to creating an inclusive environment, SYC welcomes all children ages 8-18, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, affectual or sexual orientation or sex, gender identity and expression, socio or economic status, or disability in our program and activities. We will aim to develop engaged individuals instilled with a life-long passion for music and the arts, a sense of pride in their communities, and a standard of musical excellence.

SYC gratefully acknowledges the Maplewood Arts Council, including Marcy Thompson, Tricia Tunstall, and Anthony Mazzocchi, as well as Father Jim Worth for their tremendous support and guidance in making the SOMa Youth Choir a reality in our incredible community.

The SOMa Youth Choir is a 501(c)(3) organization and a proud member of the New Jersey Choral Consortium.

Visit our website for more information