This is the Oshkosh Youth Choir
Our Mission
The Oshkosh Youth Choir is an organization dedicated to fostering and developing the musical skills, body mechanics, self-confidence, and community awareness in all students in grades kindergarten through 12.
Our Choirs
Prelude Choir
The Prelude Choir (Kindergarten through 2nd grade students) is brand new for the 2025-2026 season. This group is meant to be a springboard to foster student's love of music and to get them on stage early!
Etude Choir
The Etude Choir (3rd through 5th grade students) works on tuning student’s voices to a choral environment while teaching basic musicianship, music reading and notation.
Lyric Choir
Lyric Choir
Lyric Choir
The Lyric Choir (6th through 12th grade students) dedicates time during each weekly rehearsal to work on music theory, reading skills and
vocal development.
Aria Choir
Lyric Choir
Lyric Choir
The Aria Choir (8th through 12th grade students) further enhances these skills through performances of collegiate and professional level music.
About the Oshkosh Youth Choir
Our History
The Oshkosh Youth Choir (OYC) was formed in 1993 by Dr. Carl Chapman, Director of Choral Activities at the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh and Director of the Oshkosh Chamber Singers. The OYC was an offshoot of the Chamber Singers designed as a springboard to get children involved in choral music at an earlier age.
The choirs are geared towards children who are highly motivated singers entering kindergarten through 12th grades. Members receive professional voice training and bodywork to form the foundation for a lifetime of musical excellence. Emphasis is placed on the development of vocal and performance techniques, music theory and reading skills, and social interaction.
In May of 1995 a second group called the “Choristers” was formed in order to accommodate growth and development of less experienced singers to prepare for the more advanced repertoire of the OYC. In September of 1998 the two choirs were merged to unify their choral strength. The OYC became an independent organization in 2001.
Jennifer Jensen joined the OYC for the 2003 – 2004 school year and directed through the 2023-2024 season.
The OYC is now separated into four choirs: The Prelude Choir,
Etude Choir, Lyric Choir and Aria Choir.
The Oshkosh Youth Choir is a 501(c)(3) non profit organiztion.
Lyric & Aria Music Director
Brody Strachan received his Bachelor of Music Education at UW-Oshkosh in 2021, and taught middle and high school choir for 2 years. During his time as an educator, he has participated in conducting symposiums with Hilary Apfelstadt (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign) and Eugene Rogers (University of Michigan). Brody has also served WCDA as a clinician for Singing in Wisconsin and the Badger State Girl Choir.
Brody is the accompanist for Appleton West High School Theatre, where he has played Something Rotten! (2025), Mean Girls (2024), We Will Rock You (2023), and How I Became a Pirate(2022). Brody also loves performing on stage in musicals, where he recently performed in Legally Blonde and Company with Fond du Lac Community Theatre.
In his free time, Brody loves taking in live music with friends, farmers markets, catching up on netflix shows and podcasts, and sitting down with a good biography. He is honored and excited to work with the singers and their families as one of the Oshkosh Youth Choir Directors!
Prelude & Etude Music Director
Meri Johnson, from Oshkosh, is a passionate music educator, conductor, and performer dedicated to inspiring singers and fostering musical excellence. As a previous Oshkosh Youth Choir alumnus, she is excited to come back and work with the Prelude and Etude Choirs.
She will be graduating in December 2025 with a degree in Music Education from UW-Stevens Point, where she specialized in choral conducting, finding unique and diverse repertoire, choral and general music education, and vocal performance. Throughout her time at UW-Stevens Point, Meri Johnson has worked with choirs and students of all ages and abilities, through conducting, teaching, and private voice lessons.
In addition to conducting and teaching, Meri Johnson is an active classical vocalist, with recent roles in “The Magic Flute: A Musical Adventure” (Pamina), “Die Zauberflöte” (First Lady), “Acis and Galatea” (Galatea), “Gallantry” (Lola), and “The Old Maid and the Thief” (Miss Pinkerton).
Meri Johnson is honored to work with the Elementary choirs of the Oshkosh Youth Choir and looks forward to a season of fun music-making and new musical discoveries.
Accompanist
Marcus Wakefield is a musical artist who specializes in collaborative piano and multi-instrumental performances. Marcus recently graduated with a music industry degree from UW Oshkosh, focusing on solo and chamber piano performances under the instruction of Dr. Eli Kalman. He accompanies and performs with multiple musical ensembles in the fox valley, playing classical music, jazz and rock. Marcus releases folk music on streaming under his own name, playing guitar, banjo and harmonica in a style that pays tribute to Bob Dylan and Pete Seeger.
Our Tours
In 2009 the OYC was invited to sing in the National Children’s Choral Festival on stage at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Fourteen members of the OYC traveled to New York in June 2010 to perform in this highly recognized event. This was an exciting first step into semi-annual tours for the OYC.
In June of 2012 the Lyric and Aria Choirs performed at Disney World in Orlando, Florida as part of a week-long performance tour including performance stops in Illinois and Georgia.
In June of 2014 the Lyric and Aria Choirs embarked on an East Coast tour culminating with two performances at the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
In June of 2017, the Lyric and Aria Choirs went to Nashville, TN and had successful performances at the Country Music Hall of Fame, Fort Negley and the Grand Ole’ Opry.
2019 saw the OYC perform at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Playhouse Square in Cleveland and at Niagara Falls in New York.
June of 2023 saw members of the OYC hit the road again, this time performing at the Louisville Slugger Museum in Louisville, KY, at the base of Stone Mountain in Atlanta, GA and at Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL.
In the fall of 2023 the OYC was invited back to New York to once again participate in the National Children’s Choral Festival with a performance at Carnegie Hall in New York. That tour took place in June of 2024 with an additional performance at the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine.
Our Focus
At Oshkosh Youth Choir, we believe that music is an essential part of life. Our goal is to provide high-quality music education to students of all ages and levels, and to inspire a lifelong love of music.
Board of Directors
President
Vice President
Vice President
Jennifer Jensen, aka Miss Jen, has been with the OYC since 2003. She served as Music Director from 2003/2004 - 2023/2024 and is excited to continue in a leadership role within the OYC as the board's President.
Vice President
Vice President
Vice President
Melanie Hunt has been involved with the OYC for three years and is in her first term as Vice President of the board.
Secretary
Vice President
Secretary
Jen Skinner, aka J. Skin, has been active with the OYC for ten years and has helped with fundraisers, as a chaperone on tours, and now as secretary of the board.
Treasurer
Public Relations Director
Member at Large
Shelby Jensen, aka Mrs. J, has been integral to the OYC's operations for the past eleven years. She has been a member of the board for thirteen years and has served as both President and Treasurer.
Member at Large
Public Relations Director
Member at Large
Ann Pleiss-Morris has been a part of the OYC for five years. She helped with the OYC's most recent tour to New York in June of 2024.
Public Relations Director
Public Relations Director
Public Relations Director
Jenn Wendt has been active in the OYC for 3 years and is champing at the bit to meet you and spread the word about all of the music the OYC will be performing!
School Liason
Student Board Member
Student Board Member
Angela Wade served as accompanist for the Oshkosh Youth Choir for 2 1/2 years. She is the owner of Trio Academy in Oshkosh and is excited to bring her talents back to the OYC in a new capacity.
Student Board Member
Student Board Member
Student Board Member
TBD