Our History

Founded in 1992

Oklahoma Youth Sing! (originally Norman Children's Chorus) was co-founded by Becky Clinton and Angela Broeker in 1992. Becky Clinton founded the Children’s Arts Network, the non-profit parent organization of which NCC is a part, in 1992.  In the fall of 2020, we re-branded to Oklahoma Youth Sing! or OYSing!

Past artistic directors have included: Dr. Angela Broeker, Daphne Fix, Dr. Julia Broyles Haley and Sandy Knudson (since 1999). Associate conductors have included Sandy Knudson, Dr. Robert Lee Kidd III, Cindy Scarberry, Elizabeth McKinney Nuñez, Jeanne Lucas, Leah Nellis and Lynn Manning Herbel (since 2010). In 2020, we welcomed Jacob Gonzales to our ranks.

OYSing! has been involved with an internship program with the University of Oklahoma since 2007.  Each year, interns are hired to help at all rehearsals and major events, and in turn, receive training in warm-ups, rehearsal procedures and conducting. Past interns include: Ashley Glass and Katryn Hoggan, Kristy Buche Westover, Diane Goldsmith and Greg Curtiss, Alyssa Devane Lewis and Laura Bartlett, Erin Raiber Finley and Alex Rivera, Amanda Ortiz Flippo and Taylor Rodgers, Katie McDaniel and Kendell Workun Lowry,  Danielle Dipboye and David Sergent, Katie Neighbors and Madeline McCornack, Emma Bruce and Mallory Forsgren, Rebecca Harrison and Jessica Stout, Caroline Smith and Lauren Garcia, Jacob Waters and Paige Cleveland, Sofia Bagajewicz and Emily Chippendale, and Olivia Pope and Lydia Jackson.

OYSing! has collaborated with the Stillwater Honor Choir, Tulsa Children’s Chorus, Canterbury Youth Chorus, Edmond Children’s Chorus, Oklahoma Youth Orchestra, Norman Community Choral Society/Norman Singers, as well as the University of Oklahoma choirs and the Norman North High School Chorale. OYSing! maintains an educational partnership with the University of Oklahoma School of Music and participated in a concert version of Bizet’s Carmen in February of 2015 and in the opera production of Hansel and Gretel in December 2017.

Our ensembles have traveled to Branson, Dallas, San Antonio and New Orleans, always coming home with trophies after being adjudicated in various festivals. Our singers have visited Silver Dollar City, The Alamo and other fun places! OYSing! has performed as an invited Honor Group in Tulsa for the Oklahoma Music Educator’s Conference in 2003, 2005, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2020. 

OYSing! has had the honor of commissioning the following pieces:

  • “Thula S’thandwa” by Nick Page, premiered February 1999

  • “Froggie” by Malcolm Dalglish, premiered February 2001

  • “On the Garden Wall” by Francisco Nuñez, premiered February 2003

  • “Dedication” by Jay Broeker, premiered February 2004

  • “Trail Ride Trio” by Jay Broeker, premiered February 2013

  • “A Spring Song” by Ken Berg, premiered February 2015

  • “Of Pets and Pests” by Christy Elsner, premiered February 2020

  • “Hold Out Your Light” by Rollo Dilworth, premiered November 2021