Francisco speaks with the Korea Herald about how singing can change lives. And how the power of music brings together children from all walks of life to learn about each other and share life-changing experiences.
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Francisco Nunez and the Young People's Chorus of New York City featured in First Republic's 2020 Annual Report
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Our mission to impact the lives of thousands of children requires a trusted financial partner. First Republic Bank provides the stability we need. We thank the Bank for featuring our story in their 2020 Annual Report.
Read MoreFrancisco Nunez Is Today's Guest Editor! [MPR's Choral Stream]
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Hello!
I am Francisco J. Núñez, the artistic director and founder of the Young People's Chorus of New York City. I am a composer who writes for choirs and instruments. I founded YPC 32 years ago to welcome children of any racial, religious, or economic background to bond through the magic of music: each of them in this close-knit community ceaselessly supports, encourages, and challenges each other to raise ever-higher peaks of artistic excellence.
Is diversity enough in choruses?
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In 1988 as a 22-year-old, I created a children’s program with the goal of fighting racism and poverty through singing. A biracial son of a black Dominican/Haitian father and a Dominican mother, I grew up in Washington Heights as a white Latino with a Spanish accent and name. This was typical in my community, but once I travelled outside the neighborhood, I was an “other” during a very divisive time in a very segregated New York City. Because of this, I perceived inequities and prejudice against my family and neighbors on a regular basis. Living through these challenges, it became my mission to become part of the solution.
Read MoreFrancisco J. Núñez featured in Living the Classical Life Episode: 73
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Musical America’s 2018 Educator of the Year and MacArthur “genius” Francisco J. Núñez jump-started his career with a piano from the Salvation Army. In this riveting conversation he talks about how he uses music-making, the “great equalizer,” to transform lives. Since 1988 The Young People’s Chorus of New York City has created not only a vibrant new choral sound, but also an avenue to success for thousands of children.
Read More[Broadway World] Natalie Merchant, Francisco Núñez and More Celebrated at ASCAP Foundation Honors
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Renowned music creators and up-and-coming talent gathered together to celebrate the humanitarian accomplishments of some of ASCAP’s most influential members while recognizing the next generation of music creators at the 2019 ASCAP Foundation Honors tonight at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall, Broadway at 60th Street, in New York City. An inspirational evening that also honored The ASCAP Foundation’s 2019 scholarship recipients, the night was filled with unforgettable performances and heartfelt remarks.
Read MoreASCAP Foundation Honors Francisco J. Núñez With Life In Music Award
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEW YORK, Oct. 28, 2019 — The ASCAP Foundation announces that multi-platinum recording artist, songwriter and social justice activist Natalie Merchant will be recognized with The ASCAP Foundation Champion Award and composer, conductor, artistic director and founder of the Young People’s Chorus of New York City (YPC) Francisco Núñez will accept The ASCAP Foundation Life in Music Award at The ASCAP Foundation Honors on Wednesday, December 11 in New York City.
Francisco Núñez Leads A Conversation With Doreen Rao At The 2019 Chorus America Conference
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At the 2019 national Chorus America conference next week in Philadelphia, Francisco J. Núñez will lead a conversation with Doreen Rao in a breakout session entitled “Beyond Borders and Boundaries: Doreen Rao in Conversation with Francisco Núñez.” The two choral music pioneers will discuss Doreen’s influence as a visionary devoted to building bridges between concert performance and music education and her thoughts on the importance of female mentorship.
Read More[ABC7NY] Kids From All Different NYC Boroughs Come Together For One Purpose: To Sing
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Francisco J. Núñez, was raised in Washington Heights. Growing up in Washington Heights in the 1970s, Francisco learned to play music on an old piano his mother brought home from the local Salvation Army.
Read More[Opera News] Alive and Kicking
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FRANCISCO NÚÑEZ, the charismatic founder and artistic director of the Young People’s Chorus of New York City, is clearly a realist. “This is going to be an extraordinarily boring piece if it’s sung badly,” he tells a group of choristers. “It’s going to be pure torture. You can use your voice for evil, or you can use it for good.”
Read MoreFrancisco J. Nunez and Cristian Grases Conduct Music For Young Voices, Sung By Young Voices
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On Sunday, June 24, 2018, at 2 pm, at Carnegie Hall, MacArthur Genius Grant-winning composer Francisco J. Núñez and Venezuelan composer Cristian Grases conduct new music specially composed for young people's voices, including two world premieres. The concert, ||: Song/Play :|| will be performed by Distinguished Concerts Orchestra and Distinguished Concerts Singers International comprised of sixteen youth choirs from around the world.
Read MoreFrancisco J. Núñez Receives Honorary Doctor Of Music Degree From Gettysburg College
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On Sunday morning, May 20, Francisco J. Núñez, artistic director and founder of the Young People’s Chorus of New York City, was presented with Gettysburg College’s Honorary Doctor of Music degree at the Gettysburg College commencement ceremony of the Class of 2018 – 608 graduates in all.
Gettysburg College Provost Christopher Zappe presented the honorary degree to Mr. Núñez, citing him as “a leading proponent of the significant role that music can play in achieving diversity and equality in today’s society.” “You are an example,” Provost Zappe said, “of what can be accomplished when young people from different backgrounds are actively encouraged to appreciate and embrace the differences in themselves and others through music.”
Read MoreCollege Announces Honorary Degree Recipients
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Gettysburg College will confer three honorary degrees at the 183rd Commencement Exercises in May.
In addition to Howard Fineman, who was previously announced as the speaker and will deliver the commencement address based on his book Thirteen American Arguments, Rebecca Halstead and Francisco Núñez will receive honorary degrees.
Read MoreMUSIC IN OUR SCHOOLS MONTH: AMERICAN YOUNG VOICES
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Over a period of two years, the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) has strengthened its partnership with an exciting program that is building connections between music educators. American Young Voices hosts the largest school choral concerts in the world in five cities for music students in grades 2 through 8 and their teachers.
Read MoreFrancisco J. Núñez named Musical America's 2018 Educator of the Year
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Musical America has named Francisco J. Núñez, artistic director and founder of the Young People’s Chorus of New York City, its 2018 Educator of the Year. Mr. Núñez is among five recipients recognized by Musical America for their artistic excellence and achievements in the arts for 2018. The others are Andris Nelsons (Artist of the Year), Mason Bates (Composer of the Year), Augustin Hadelich (Instrumentalist of the Year), and Sondra Radvanovsky (Vocalist of the Year).
Read MoreFrancisco J. Núñez honored with Bang on a Can's Visionary Award at its 30th Anniversary Gala
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At Bang on a Can’s 30th anniversary gala at the Brooklyn Academy of Music last month, Francisco Núñez and Young People’s Chorus of New York City were honored to receive BoaC’s Visionary Award from its three co-founders–Michael Gordon, Julia Wolfe, and David Lang. Upon receiving the award, Francisco thanked his great BoaC friends and colleagues for supporting YPC for so many years and for recognizing that it is today’s children who will be the ones to build on the music, sounds, and ideas that BoaC has inspired.
Read MoreNew York Times Review: A Youthful Experiment Kicks Off Mostly Mozart
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Give the Mostly Mozart festival credit for trying something different to open its 2017 season on Tuesday at David Geffen Hall.
Read MoreVoce di Meche Review - Mozart and Then Some
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Sometimes in life we get more than we bargained for, more than we expected, more than we hoped for.
Read More[The Harmonizer] Singing Changes Lives
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MUSIC CHANGED THE LIFE OF FRANCISCO J. NÚÑEZ, AND NOW HIS LIFE’S WORK IS TO TANGIBLY CHANGE 1,600 YOUNG LIVES THROUGH SINGING EVERY WEEK—AND ANOTHER 120 ADULT LIVES FOR THE JOY OF IT.
Read MoreNew York Times Review: For This Young Chorus, It’s Never Too Early for Six World Premieres
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Even professional contemporary-music ensembles don’t often perform six world premieres on a single night. But on Friday at National Sawdust in Brooklyn, some 90 teenagers between the ages of 14 and 18 did just that.
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