Awards & Honors

THIS TIME ROUND, YPC AWARD WINNING DOCUMENTARY

YPC’s award-winning documentary This Time Round has been making an impressive impact on the international film festival circuit, earning “Best Producer” at the Toronto Indie Filmmakers Festival and “Best Soundtrack” at the New York International Film Awards, along with honors for Best Music Themed Film and Best Youth Focused Film. The film was also a finalist at Cine Miami Fest Latino, a semi-finalist at the Dumbo Film Festival, received an honorable mention at the New York Independent Art Film Festival, and earned a Best Director nomination at the New York Independent Film Festival. With 13 official selection laurels from festivals around the world, This Time Round continues to shine as a powerful celebration of YPC’s artistry and impact.

YPC RECEIVES 2024 CLAIRE FRIEDLANDER FAMILY FOUNDATION ARTS & CULTURE AWARD AT THE NYC IMAGINE AWARDS

We are thrilled to announce that Young People’s Chorus of NYC has been honored with the prestigious Claire Friedlander Family Foundation Arts & Culture Award at the 4th Annual New York City Imagine Awards! This recognition celebrates the arts and cultural organizations making an exceptional impact on New York City through groundbreaking programs, community engagement, and artistic excellence.

FRANCISCO J. NÚÑEZ NAMED NYU ALUMNI CHANGEMAKER

Francisco J. Núñez has been recognized by the NYU Alumni Association as a 2023 NYU Alumni Changemaker, joining an inspiring group of visionaries who are shaping the world through creativity, leadership, and service. This distinction celebrates his impact as a conductor, composer, and cultural leader, and places him among a distinguished network of NYU alumni creating meaningful change in communities worldwide.

YPC’S TOPSY TURVY NEW YORK WINS NEW YORK EMMY AWARD

The world-renowned Young People’s Chorus of New York City proudly announces that its feature-length holiday special Topsy Turvy New York has won a 66th Annual New York Emmy® Award in the “Children/Youth (12 and under) – Short or Long Form Content” category at the 66th Annual New York Emmy® gala held at the New York Marriott Marquis on Saturday, October 28, 2023.

YPC’S TOPSY TURVY NEW YORK NOMINATED FOR A NEW YORK EMMY AWARD

The Young People’s Chorus of New York City’s holiday special, Topsy Turvy New York, has been nominated for a New York Emmy Award! Congratulations to the YPC team and all of our choristers for this nomination.

YOUNG PEOPLE’S CHORUS OF NEW YORK CITY NAMED “CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD” AT THE WORLD CHOIR GAMES IN GANGNEUNG, KOREA

The Young People’s Chorus of New York City competes in the World Choir Games in Gangneung, Korea in July 2023 and was names ‘Champions of the World’ 3 categories – Children’s Choirs, Musica Contemporane a Equal Voices, and Mixed Youth Choirs. Also in 2 other categories, Scenic Folklore and Gospel, YPC walks away with 2 more gold medals!

YPC’S ONCE UPON THE HOLIDAYS NOMINATED FOR A NEW YORK EMMY AWARD

The Young People’s Chorus of New York City’s holiday special, Once Upon the Holidays, has been nominated for a New York Emmy Award! Congratulations to the YPC team and all of our choristers for this nomination.

FRANCISCO J. NÚÑEZ RECEIVES ASCAP’S LIFE IN MUSIC AWARD OCTOBER 2019

Francisco J. Núñez receives ASCAP’s Life In Music Award for “his outstanding accomplishments as a composer, songwriter, performer, arranger or vocalist in any genre.”

YPC NAMED “CHOIR OF THE WORLD” – INTERNATIONAL CHORAL KATHAUMIXW (POWELL RIVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA) JULY 2018

Elizabeth Núñez leads YPC to two first-place wins in the Children’s Choir and Contemporary Choral Music competitions. Additionally, in competition with the other five first-place Kathaumixw winners, YPC is named “Choir of the World,” the first time a North American chorus has ever won this title in the 34-year history of Kathaumixw.

HONORARY DOCTORATE – GETTYSBURG COLLEGE MAY 2018

Francisco J. Núñez receives Honorary Doctor of Music degree from Gettysburg College for showing “what can be accomplished when young people from different backgrounds are actively encouraged to appreciate and embrace differences among themselves and others through music.”.

EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR 2018

Francisco J. Núñez is named 2018 Educator of the Year by Musical America for his “artistic excellence and achievement in the arts.”

ELIZABETH NÚÑEZ RECEIVES DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS AWARD NOVEMBER 2017

Elizabeth Núñez receives Lee University’s School of Music 2017 Distinguished Alumnus award, as “exceptional musician, teacher, and conductor, committed to changing the lives of America’s youth.”

FRANCISCO J. NÚÑEZ RECEIVES BANG ON A CAN VISIONARY AWARD SEPTEMBER 2017

Francisco J. Núñez receives the Bang on a Can Visionary Award for “creating the world’s greatest youth chorus” and for making the commissioning of new music a key part of the YPC mission.

YPC IS FIRST CHILDREN’S CHORUS TO OPEN MOSTLY MOZART JULY 2017

Francisco J. Núñez receives the Bang on a Can Visionary Award for “creating the world’s greatest youth chorus” and for making the commissioning of new music a key part of the YPC mission.

FESTIVAL INTERNACIONAL DE MÚSICA DE CANTONIGRÒS (BARCELONA, SPAIN) JULY 2017

Francisco J. Núñez and Elizabeth Núñez lead 81 YPC choristers to a first-place win in the Children’s Choir competition and two second-place wins in the Female Choirs and Folk Song competitions.

YPC REPRESENTS NORTH AMERICA AT SONGBRIDGE FESTIVAL IN FINLAND JUNE 2017

YPC is invited by Finland’s Tampere Vocal Music Festival and the IFCM to represent the North American continent at the 2017 international choral festival.

MARGARET HILLIS AWARD FOR CHORAL EXCELLENCE APRIL 2017

Chorus America names Young People’s Chorus of New York City and Francisco J. Núñez the recipients of its 2017 Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence.

HONORARY DOCTORATE – ITHACA COLLEGE MAY 2016

Francisco J. Núñez receives honorary doctorate from Ithaca College “in recognition of outstanding achievements in bringing a high level arts performing experience to young people from a broad range of socio-economic backgrounds.”

MUSICAL AMERICA WORLDWIDE DECEMBER 2015

Francisco J. Núñez is named among 30 “Influencers” of 2015 for his contributions to the music industry.

FIRST-PLACE WIN IN MUNICH, GERMANY OCTOBER 2015

YPC is first American chorus in the 54-year history of the Euroradio Broadcasting Union‘s Let the Peoples Sing Euroradio Choral Competition to win first place.

YPC SINGS FOR POPE FRANCIS SEPTEMBER 2015

YPC is invited by the Archdiocese of New York to sing for Pope Francis at the inter-religious service at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum

GOLD MEDAL WINNERS – GOLDEN GATE INTERNATIONAL CHORAL COMPETITION JULY 2015

YPC wins five gold medals in every choral competition category: Folk, Contemporary, Historic, and Gospel

FOX TELEVISION – HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH OCTOBER 2014

Francisco J. Núñez is honored during Hispanic Heritage Month for “changing young lives with music.”

NYU STEINHARDT DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS ACHIEVEMENT AWARD MAY 2014

Francisco J. Núñez recognized as NYU Steinhardt’s 2014 Distinguished Alumnus

CENTRO CIVICO CULTURAL DOMINICANO DECEMBER 2012

Francisco J. Núñez honored for his dedication and efforts in promoting Latino culture

DALE WARLAND SINGERS COMMISSION AWARD JUNE 2012

The Young People’s Chorus of New York City receives the Dale Warland Singers Commission Award at the annual Chorus America conference in June, enabling YPC to commission Missy Mazzoli to write the 70th composition in YPC’s Transient

Glory and Radio Radiance commissioning series.

GALA HONOREE MAY 2012

Francisco J. Núñez is honored by JCC Thurnauer School of Music at its 2012 gala.

LET THE FUTURE SING FESTIVAL, STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN, APRIL 2012

First American youth chorus ever invited to sing at the prestigious Adolf Fredrik Let the Future Sing Festival

2011 NATIONAL ARTS AND HUMANITIES YOUTH PROGRAM AWARD NOVEMBER 2011

Young People’s Chorus of New York City receives the 2011 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award from First Lady Michelle Obama administered by the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities.

ABC-TV’S PERSON OF THE WEEK SEPTEMBER 2011

Francisco J. Núñez is honored as ABC-TV’s “Person of the Week.”

2011 MACARTHUR FELLOWSHIP SEPTEMBER 2011

Francisco J. Núñez, the artistic director and founder of the Young People’s Chorus of New York City has been named a recipient of a 2011 MacArthur Fellowship by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the first choral conductor to receive this honor.

NEW YORK CHORAL SOCIETY’S CHORAL EXCELLENCE AWARD MARCH 2009

Awarded to YPC’s Founder and Artistic Director Francisco J. Núñez

GOLD MEDAL WINNERS, 2008 WORLD CHOIR OLYMPICS, GRAZ, AUSTRIA JULY 2008

• Concert Chorus
• Men’s Division

CHORUS AMERICA EDUCATION OUTREACH AWARD JULY 2008

Francisco J. Núñez & the Young People’s Chorus of New York, recipients

29TH ANNUAL CHORUS AMERICA CONFERENCE JUNE 2006

Francisco J. Núñez, keynote speaker

“CHILDREN’S CHAMPION AWARD” – CHILD MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2005

Francisco J. Núñez, recipient

“100 MOST INFLUENTIAL HISPANICS” BY HISPANIC BUSINESS MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2005

Francisco J. Núñez honored as one of the 100 most influential Hispanics.

“LIBERTY MEDAL AWARD ” BY NY POST SEPTEMBER 2005

Francisco J. Núñez, recipient

7TH ANNUAL WORLD SYMPOSIUM ON CHORAL MUSIC, KYOTO, JAPAN. JULY-AUGUST 2005

YPC Invited Choir and Participant

GOLD MEDAL WINNERS, 2004 WORLD CHOIR OLYMPICS, BREMEN, GERMANY JULY 2004

• Equal Voices Youth Choir division
• Young Male Voices division

AWARD RECIPIENT, WNET/THIRTEEN COMMUNITY HALL OF FAME, JUNE 2004

PRIZE WINNERS, FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL DE MUSICA DE CANTONIGROS, SPAIN JULY 2003

2002 INTERNATIONAL KATHAUMIXW CHORAL FESTIVAL AND COMPETITION

• First Place, Children’s Choir category

GOLD MEDAL, 1999 DES MOINES INTERNATIONAL CHOIR COMPETITION

• First Place, Solo Performance
• First Place, Chamber Performance
• First Place, Contemporary Music

SILVER MEDAL, 1997 PRAGUE INTERNATIONAL CHORAL COMPETITION

ARTISTS-IN-RESIDENCE

  • European Festival of Youth Choruses, Basel Switzerland, May 2014
  • Japan Cultural Festival, Hokuto, Japan, August 2013
  • International Youth and Children’s Choir Festival, Hong Kong, China, July 2013
  • Representing North America at IFCM’s World Choral Summit in Beijing, July 2012
  • Representing the U.S. at IFCM’s Seventh World Symposium on Choral Music, Kyoto, Japan, 2005
  • Festival of Light, Salon des Arts Festival, Sofia, Bulgaria; 2002
  • Choral Music Experience, Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY; 2000, 2001
  • Disneyworld, Keynote Arts Associates Children’s Choir Festival, Orlando, FL; 1995, 1998, 2000, 2002