About Us

STAFF


Stacey Hardigree
YSWG Conductor & Artistic Director

Sharon Alford
YSWG Assistant to the Director

Jonathan Pilkington
YSWG Guest Instructor 

 

ABOUT US 
Young Singers of West Georgia (YSWG) is a vocal instructional school focused on group singing. We have been inspiring excellence in our students through personal development and skillful performance since 1995. We invite talented young people in the area to audition for a position in our school.

MISSION of YSWG
To reach talented students in the West Georgia region and develop them into skillful musicians through quality vocal and ensemble singing instruction and performances.

COMMITMENT LEVEL
There is a weekly rehearsal time commitment of 1 hour to 1.5 hours depending on the group to which the student is assigned. There are two majors concerts per season as well as other guest appearances as the community requests our presence at events. Major concert attendance is required. Some special performances are limited in the number of students who can perform, and are therefore determined individually. Tour opportunities are optional.


Classes Begin August 15th & August 18th

MONDAYS

5:30 – 6:45pm Junior Choir (3rd-5th)

6:45 – 8:15pm Master Choir (selected 7th-12th)

THURSDAYS

5:15 – 6:30pm Intermediate Choir (selected 5th-7th)

 

 

TUITION & FEES    
Tuition fees cover the entire concert season of instructional training, music supplies, uniform items or rental, performance keepsake recording, operational costs, etc. Official instruction begins in August and continues through May
Tuition is not based on monthly services, but on the full year of participation in the program.

OUR GOALS FOR STUDENTS:
DISCOVER:

  • LOVE for MUSIC through exposure to multiple singing styles, varied musical genres, and quality literature – all of which contribute to musical artistry & skillful performance 
  • LOVE for COUNTRY by learning patriotic literature, participating in special performances, and having the opportunity to visit various American landmarks during excursions, tours, etc. 
  • LOVE for COMMUNITY through the unique joining of voices to share our music with others – fostering a spirit of respect & camaraderie

SHAPE:

  • VOICES through teaching that promotes a healthy voice & proper singing technique 
  • CHARACTER through hard work, commitment, discipline, self-presentation, and confidence 
  • MUSICALITY over a committed amount of time – to acquire precision, accuracy, expression, phrasing, and artistry 

ENRICH through:

  • PERFORMANCE participation in well-planned, professional, creative, polished concerts and shows 
  • QUALITY INSTRUCTION that helps students master skills in the areas of music reading, interpretation, challenging arrangements, and proper inflections 
  • TOURING & TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES including overseas & stateside tours that offer experience with various cultures and an appreciation of the world

YSWG TOURING HISTORY

  • 1997 first major tour to St. Augustine and Orlando
  • 1999 tour to New York City
  • 2001 National Anthem at Atlanta major league baseball game & a tour to Canterbury and London, England
  • 2003 Tour Choir to Orlando and Chamber Choir to New York City to perform in Carnegie Hall
  • 2004 joint tour to Washington, D.C. as guest artists of the National Cherry Blossom Festival & the National Shrine
  • 2005 Tour Choir to New York City to perform in Carnegie Hall & Chamber Choir returns to New York City-St. Patrick’s Cathedral
  • 2006 Tour Choir to Chattanooga & Nashville while Chamber Choir traveled abroad to Northern Ireland
  • 2007 Tour Choir to Los Angeles
  • 2008 the Sr. Tour traveled to Chicago while the Jr. Tour visited Tampa and had exchange with Tampa Bay Children’s Choir
  • 2009 Festival tour to Vienna, Austria & Budapest, Hungary
  • 2010 return tour to Orlando, performing in Disney’s Epcot Melody Garden venue
  • 2011 return tour to Northern Ireland, performing in Craigavon and surrounding communities
  • 2012 return tour to New York City, performing in the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, Church of St. Paul the Apostle, NYU workshop
  • 2013 return tour to Washington, DC, performing at the Lincoln Memorial and at the Naval Academy Chapel in Annapolis, MD
  • 2014 Southeast Coast Tour to Savannah, Hilton Head, and Charleston, SC
  • 2015 Excursions to the Fox Theatre to see two Broadway musicals on tour: Newsies & Wicked
  • 2016 New Orleans, Louisiana and performed by Jackson Square, Children’s Hospital, Dixieland Riverboat Dinner Cruise, & more
  • 2017 Walt Disney World in Orlando and performed at Disney Springs and Brookside Assisted Living in Gainesville, FL
  • 2018 First Ever Video Production of “Gold Forever” at the Callaway Clock Tower Monument
  • 2019 Second Video Production of “A Whole New World” at West Point Lake & Dowdell’s Knob - National Anthem Performance at MBL Braves Game
214 Bull Street
LaGrange, GA 30240
706.882.9909

yswg@lsparts.org

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