General Information

What is NCYC?
The National Catholic Youth Choir is a liturgically-based choir open to Roman Catholic youth entering 10th-12th grade. Camp dates generally fall between mid to late June and may include early July. The program takes place each summer on the beautiful wooded grounds of Saint John's Abbey and Saint John's University in central Minnesota.  Camp includes a multi-state tour, concert performances, CD recording and of course fun!  What is unique about the National Catholic Youth Choir is its liturgical focus.  The singers learn about the Catholic liturgy and how the treasury of sacred music (Gregorian chant, Palestrina, Mozart, Bruckner, Poulenc, Duruflé...) fits in Catholic worship today.  The choir also sings contemporary and newly-written music, some of it specially commissioned for the NCYC.

The conductor of the choir is internationally renowned choral clinician Dr. Axel Theimer.  Fr. Anthony Ruff, OSB, a monk of Saint John’s abbey, is the founding director of the choir. 

Where is Collegeville?
Collegeville is in central Minnesota, 75 miles northwest of the Twin Cities on the Interstate. There are two Catholic colleges within 5 miles offering coordinated, coeducational programs: Saint John’s University for men in Collegeville, and the College of Saint Benedict for women in St. Joseph. Most of the camp takes place at Saint John’s, but some of it is at the Saint Benedict campus. Both colleges are sponsored by Benedictine religious communities. Locate Saint John's

What is Saint John’s
Saint John’s is a monastery, a university, a graduate School of Theology/Seminary, and home of the St. John’s Boys Choir, the Ecumenical Institute, the Saint John’s Bible, the arboretum, a guesthouse, and much more.

Why participate? What is special about NCYC?
Past choristers speak very highly of their time at NCYC. They say it is enjoyable, fun, inspirational, educational, spiritual, and formational. Many past choristers are still in touch with friends they made at NCYC. Choristers have had their faith renewed and have become excited to be a believing Catholic. They are very proud of the great music they make.

What are the main features of the camp?
The schedule includes 6 or more hours of choir rehearsal each day; religion and music classes; prayer and worship; recreation and sports; community and friendship; free time. The last days of the camp are spent on an out-of-state tour.

Who are the staff?
NCYC is a program of the School of Theology • Seminary of Saint John’s University. Staff include the founding director and chaplain Fr. Anthony Ruff, OSB, a monk of Saint John’s Abbey. The choir conductor is renowned choral clinician Dr. Axel Theimer. Dorothy Kantor, the office manager works with choristers and family during the entire pre-camp, camp and post camp process. The staff of camp leaders may change from year to year and consist of current and past students of Saint John’s University and the College of Saint Benedict and current graduate students of the Saint John's School of Theology.

Recognizing NCYC staff work with minors, all camp staff go through a State of MN Child Protection Back Ground Check,  receive annual training on safe boundaries, ethical work with minors and review and sign the NCYC staff code of conduct policy.

Audition and Acceptance

Who is eligible for NCYC?
Any U.S. Catholic high school student going into grade 10, 11, or 12 in the fall of the school year following the summer program applied to. (ex. Student applies for the summer NCYC program of 2012 and will be a 10, 11 or 12 grader the fall of 2012.) Students must be able to be present for the entire camp in order to be accepted. The National Catholic Youth Choir admits U.S. students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin.  Where do our choristers come from?

How are choristers selected for participation?
On the basis of three things: online application, two references, and vocal audition recording. The student application form and reference form are both available online. The vocal audition recording includes singing, unaccompanied, one major scale up and down on any pitch (loo, lah, etc.) and singing, without accompaniment, one stanza of a song or hymn such as Jesus Christ is Risen Today or America the Beautiful. More information regarding the vocal recording are included in the student application form. 

When are the applications due?
Generally sometime in early to mid March. Due dates are listed on the application form.

When are the decisions made?
Generally in early April.

How selective is the process?
NCYC strives to select the most highly qualified applicants and a good vocal blend of sopranos, altos, tenors and baritones. The final member count varies from year to year depending on the number of male and female applicants and this sought after vocal blend. Some years it may be quite competitive for women if their applications out number the males. Males are always encouraged to apply!

Registration Fee

What does the camp cost?
Fees are listed on the application form. One fee covers the entire camp and tour including all meals, lodging and tour travel expenses. The registration fee does not cover travel to and from home. Choristers may wish to bring a small amount of spending money but this is optional.

Are there scholarships?
Yes, there are scholarships based entirely on financial need. Choristers and or their families can request a scholarship application from the office manager after they have been accepted into the choir. NCYC also requires that a copy of the first two pages of the current years tax return be mailed, scanned or faxed along with the completed scholarship application.

Is there other financial assistance?
Yes. Many choristers in the past have received assistance from their Diocese, high school, home parish and/or from Catholic organizations such as the Knights of Columbus, the Council of Catholic Women, and similar groups. Their home parish or school or choir may also be willing to assist with a fund raising activity such as a special breakfast or dinner, bake sale. Your parish may also be willing to host a special collection during weekend Masses. 

Assistance may also be available through city, county or state arts boards. Sometimes local music companies or Chamber of Commerce organizations may have programs that offer financial assistance opportunities.

NCYC encourages students who apply to begin seeking out any and all local financial assistance opportunities before their application to NCYC is accepted because if they are accepted there is a limited time frame of approximately two months before registration fees are due.  

During Camp

What is the daily schedule of camp?
To see the schedule of a past year, look here.

Are choristers able to call home during camp?
Yes. Many choristers bring cell phones. They are especially helpful to those students who travel by air. During camp choristers are generally allowed to use their phones during scheduled free time. Public phones are available on campus.

Do choristers have access to internet or email during camp?
No. Choristers are not allowed to bring laptops to camp.

Can choristers receive mail at Saint John’s?
Yes. Mail it to this address.

Chorister name
c/o Dorothy Kantor, NCYC
PO Box 7288
Collegeville, MN 56321

Will I be able to follow the activities of the choir during camp?
Yes. During camp the NCYC web site is updated each day with a photo journal  of the day’s activities. Also, a video of the choir participating at Sunday Mass in the Saint John's Abbey Church here on campus is generally available on the Saint John's University Website the following Monday after 9:00 am. 

Supporting NCYC

How is NCYC financed?
The chorister fees cover less than half of the total cost of the program. The remainder is made up by donations from many organizations and individuals. Parents of accepted choristers are invited to donate as much as they can beyond the registration fee to cover the actual program costs.

Further Information

Could we host NCYC in our town?
We hope so. We select tour venues on the basis of local organizers’ readiness, church with good acoustics and piano and pipe organ quality, possibility of drawing a good crowd, local fundraising and support and availability of host families. If you are interested in hosting NCYC, contact Dorothy Kantor at 320-363-3154, dkantor@csbsju.edu

How do I get further information?
If you still have some unanswered questions contact:

Fr. Anthony Ruff, OSB, founding director and chaplain: 320-363-3233, awruff@csbsju.edu

Dorothy Kantor, office manager: 320-363-3154, dkantor@csbsju.edu

Dr. Axel Theimer, choral conductor: 320-363-3374, atheimer@csbsju.edu