The River City Chorale typically prepares three distinctively different sets of concerts each season. The concerts include a diverse repertoire including classical, folk, multi-cultural, pop, jazz and musical theater. Photo courtesy of River City Chorale

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - Leaders of the River City Chorale, which have shared vibrant, high-quality choral music with the greater Sacramento community for 50 years, are hoping to inspire the next generation of young singers with the startup of the River City Youth Choir, a new auditioned choir for young singers ages 10-13 which will be holding summer auditions and then start in the fall.

David Vanderbout, River City Chorale (RCC) artistic director and Destiny Elazier, its assistant director, are actively conducting outreach this summer to build interest in the new group which will be featured in upcoming performances of the River City Chorale this season.

“We’re looking to start the River City Youth Choir with a group of between 10-15 young singers, with an emphasis on two-part, and three-part singing who can blend well,” Vanderbout said. “I’m excited that Destiny will lead it, and the members of the RCC are supportive of its start.”

Both Vanderbout and Elazier are full-time teachers outside of their duties with the River City Chorale. Earlier efforts by the pair on behalf of the River City Chorale to initially start a youth choir didn’t meet with the success the pair had hoped for, as some interested students said they had existing singing commitments late in the school year and were not ready to join.

Flyers announcing the River City Youth Chorale were distributed at the RCC’s recent May spring concerts inviting auditions. Further outreach through social media to eligible-age public, private and homeschool students is actively continuing, Elazier said.

Under Elazier’s direction, members of the River City Youth Chorale will develop their singing voices, learn essential music skills and experience the joy of performing alongside Sacramento's premier community chorus.

After summer rehearsals, members of River City Youth Choir are expected to perform during a fall performance of the River City Chorale.

“Whether your child is new to choral singing or looking to grow their talents, River City Youth Choir will offer a supportive, engaging environment where young musicians can thrive,” she said.

Elazier was one of Vanderbout’s choral students at El Camino Fundamental High School.

Vanderbout is the choral director at El Camino Fundamental High School and Arden Middle School in Sacramento.

In addition to his work with the River City Chorale, Vanderbout is the director of choral music at Jesuit High School, where he directs four choirs as well as the choir for school liturgies. Throughout his career, his choirs have received top ratings at festivals, toured extensively and acted as ambassadors for their schools in both the local Sacramento community and abroad.

In 2026, Vanderbout was awarded the Outstanding Choral Educator Award for the California Music Educators Association Capitol Section.

Upon earning her undergraduate degree in music education from the Westminster Choir College of Rider University, one of the world's leading schools of music in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, Elazier returned to Sacramento to teach full-time at the Sacramento Waldorf School, where she currently leads the sixth through eighth grade student choir.

She also directs the choir at Northminster Presbyterian Church, where rehearsals for both the River City Chorale and the River City Youth Choir take place.

“I grew up with the Sacramento Children’s Choir,” Elazier said. Her deep love for singing which began at an early elementary school age, continues as an educator and as a soprano in the River City Chorale.

“David (Vanderbout) and I recognized that we each had a unique opportunity to build upon the recognition and 50-year history of the River City Chorale and create something meaningful to the greater Sacramento community,” she said.

Elazier said the establishment of the River City Youth Choir will help create a pathway where its members can make music, new friends and share the joy of singing with one another.

The River City Chorale typically prepares three distinctively different sets of concerts each season. The concerts include a diverse repertoire including classical, folk, multi-cultural, pop, jazz and musical theater.

New adult voices are welcome to audition to join the River City Chorale for the upcoming 2026-27 season. Auditions take about 10 minutes and consist of a prepared excerpt, solo and vocal assessment of range, ear training and reading ability, for which no preparation is needed. Visit: https://rivercitychorale.org/auditions for specific details.

The next audition date for the upcoming season is Monday, July 13 at the Northminster Presbyterian Church, 3235 Pope Ave., Sacramento. Final auditions will be held on Monday, Aug. 24.

General rehearsals for the River City Chorale will be held from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Monday evenings starting late August and continuing through May 2027.

To schedule an audition for the River City Chorale, or for more specific information, contact Artistic Director David Vanderbout at: [email protected].

The River City Youth Choir is open to young singers, ages 10-13 years old. Rehearsals are held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday afternoons at the Northminster Presbyterian Church, 3235 Pope Ave., Sacramento. For audition information, contact: [email protected].