CAMDEN — Midcoast Community Chorus (MCC) announces the formation of a youth chorus and invites all kids ages 12 and up to join their voices together to create change.

Based on the MCC model of "singing as a community for the community," this new non-auditioned ensemble is for kids who want to sing for a reason, goal, and purpose.

The Youth Chorus will rehearse for six weeks, beginning April 9, and will then join MCC's Children's Chorus Thursday, May 28 to perform a benefit concert to raise funds for the Area Interfaith Food Pantry.

The group will be led by Steve Weston, director of the Midcoast Community Children's Chorus (MC3!), who has many years of experience working with developing voices as a public school choral educator, artistic director of the Bangor Area Children's Choirs, New Mexico ACDA Elementary and Middle School All-State Choir participant, and invited conductor and private voice studio instructor.

"My personal passion with this age group," said Weston in a news release, "is the enjoyment of finding both the spoken and sung voice, voice safety during development, and learning the power of a lifelong musical journey that is ensemble singing."

MCC Founder and Artistic Director, Mimi Bornstein, believes in the power of teaching everyone, especially children, to use their voices to make music and make change.

Bornstein said in in the news release: "I have worked with thousands of adults who were told as children that they couldn't sing, but everyone has a voice and everyone can sing.

"The Youth Chorus delivers this message to kids early, before they have been told otherwise, and empowers them to know that by using their voices, they can make a powerful difference in their own community."

There are plans in the works for the Youth Chorus to join MCC's adult chorus at the June concert fundraiser for Area Interfaith Food Pantry at the Strom Auditorium.

Rehearsals will be held on Thursday afternoons from 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. at the First Congregational Church in Camden, beginning on April 9; registration occurs just prior to the first rehearsal on April 9.

The cost to participate is $50, and MCC offers full and partial scholarships.

For more information and updates, visit mccsings.org or call 207-975-0582.