How YOU can help the 2026 Choir?

    As Alumni we want to see the choir live on and continue to grow! The youth of the 2020’s are much different then those of the 1900’s (or even early 2000). The challenges of time management have been expanded with the youth working to support their families, marching bands that spend all summer (or at least most of it) preparing for their competition season and won’t excuse students from those file camp weeks, and just the general competition out there for where the teens want to put their energy. 
    But you can help combat this! We know we can’t change these challenges so it becomes a numbers game. The more youth, teachers, parents and influential adults that learn about the choir the more the odds are in our favor that we’ll reach the kids that can commit to the 2 1/2 weeks of the Ohio State Fair. If every alumni out there recruited just one student the Rhodes Center would be busting at the seams! 
    So how can we help?!? Here are three ideas from the Choir leadership!

1. Personal invitation — nothing beats a face-to-face conversation with a high schooler and/or their parents. Share a favorite memory, a song you’ve heard the choir do that inspired you last year or the opportunity to make friends across the state. Then be sure to invite them to apply at aosfyc.org. (There is a form on the website they can fill out now to be notified when the 2026 application goes live.)
2. Share social media posts and tag youth/parents that you think would be interested. The more shares and engagement we get with our posts, the more they are shown to others!
3. Go to your area high school or youth music organization and speak with groups of students. We are happy to help give you tools and talking points — reach out at [email protected]
4. BONUS IDEA: If you come across anyone that wants to know more, let us know at [email protected], and we will contact them directly. 

    So get out there and “pound the pavement” for the choir!