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 3 through 12.
Our Choirs
Etude Choir
Etude Choir
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
Etude Choir
Etude 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
Etude Choir
Aria 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
Our Music Director
Our Music Director
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
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 3rd 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. Ryan Lindley became the new Director of the OYC beginning in the fall of 2024.
The OYC is now separated into three choirs. The Etude Choir, Lyric Choir and Aria Choir.
Our Music Director
Our Music Director
Our Music Director
Mr. Ryan Lindley currently teaches fourth through eighth-grade chorus at Tipler Middle School in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Mr. Lindley holds a M.M. in Music Education from Boston University and a B.M. in Music Education from the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh.
Mr. Lindley is the director of the Oshkosh Youth Choir, the President of the Os
Mr. Ryan Lindley currently teaches fourth through eighth-grade chorus at Tipler Middle School in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Mr. Lindley holds a M.M. in Music Education from Boston University and a B.M. in Music Education from the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh.
Mr. Lindley is the director of the Oshkosh Youth Choir, the President of the Oshkosh Chamber Singers, serves as the Midwestern region repertoire and resource chair for Junior High/Middle School Choirs, a member of the National Connected Arts Network professional learning community, and an accomplished musician.
When Mr. Lindley is not teaching, he spends time with his wife, Madeline, and his two children, Isaiah and Eleanor.
Our Tours
Our Music Director
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 Choi
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.
Board of Directors
President
Vice President
Vice President
Jennifer Jensen, aka Miss Jen, has been with the OYC for twenty one years. She served as Music Director for the past twenty years and is excited to take a new role within the OYC as the board's President.
Vice President
Vice President
Vice President
Melanie Hunt has been involved with the OYC for two 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 nine 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 ten 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 four 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
This position is currently vacant.