TENOR/BASS ENSEMBLE
Grades 7–12 · Auditioned
Find your sound.
Find your people.
Find your voice.
THE FORTIFY EXPERIENCE
Your voice is changing.
Your place in choir shouldn't.
Fortify gives tenor and bass singers a place to develop their changing and changed voices with confidence. Repertoire is selected with these voices in mind, allowing singers to build healthy vocal technique, musicianship, and artistry while discovering what their developing instrument can do.
Just as importantly, Fortify creates a community where singers can take musical risks, support one another, and experience the camaraderie of making great music together.
FORTIFY IN PERFORMANCE
Hear what Fortify can do.
Experience the energy, musicianship, and unmistakable sound of Fortify in performance.
“Canto Del Agua” · Arr. David Hill
Fortify · South Loudoun Youth Chorale
FORTIFY AT A GLANCE
GRADES
7-12
Changing &
changed voices
PLACEMENT
By audition
REHEARSALS
Mondays
7:00-8:20 PM
LOCATION
Willard MS
Aldie, VA
TUITION
Full-season and concert-cycle
options available
SEASON
September - April
LIFE IN FORTIFY
More than great music.
Fortify is a place to develop your voice, grow as a musician, build confidence, and belong to a community that understands the unique journey of changing and changed voices.
MUSICIANSHIP
Build your instrument.
Develop healthy vocal technique, music literacy, artistry, and ensemble skills through repertoire designed with tenor and bass voices in mind.
CONFIDENCE
Own your sound.
Learn to understand and trust your changing or changed voice while developing the confidence to use it fully.
COMMUNITY
Find your people.
Build friendships and camaraderie with singers who understand the experience—and occasional weirdness—of a changing voice.
#getSLYC
Serve. Lead. Spread Joy. Care.
Put SLYC's values into action through rehearsal, performance, leadership, and service.
BEYOND REHEARSAL
More than Monday night.
Fortify is your home ensemble—but the SLYC experience extends far beyond Monday rehearsals. Singers can take part in major performances, artistic collaborations, festivals, tours, community events, and experiences that bring the entire SLYC community together.
PERFORM BOLDLY · EXPLORE THE WORLD · FIND YOUR PEOPLE
YOUR SLYC JOURNEY
Your choir. Your journey.
Fortify can be a destination all its own—and it can also open doors. Singers choose how they want to deepen their musicianship, step into leadership, and explore extraordinary opportunities throughout their time in SLYC.
GROW AS A MUSICIAN
Take your artistry further.
Fortify gives tenor and bass singers opportunities to keep developing their voices, musicianship, and artistry beyond the regular concert cycle.
ONGOING OPPORTUNITIES
Prepare for honor choir, college, and other auditions.
Collaborative Experiences
Work with guest artists, composers, conductors, ensembles, and special projects.
PAST HIGHLIGHTS
Fortify singers have worked with internationally recognized artists Sydney Guillaume and Michael Dawson of ANÚNA, performed live with Foreigner, and participate annually in Voices of Strength, an LCPS/SLYC collaboration celebrating tenor and bass voices.
WATCH VOICES OF STRENGTH
LEAD & SERVE
Make an impact beyond the stage.
Fortify singers have opportunities to step up as mentors, leaders, and volunteers—putting #getSLYC into action throughout SLYC and our community.
WAYS TO GET INVOLVED
SLYC Buddy Program →
Mentor and encourage younger SLYC singers.
Student Leadership →
Serve as a section leader, choir manager, content creator, and more.
Lead and mentor at SLYC Summer Camp.
Volunteer with younger singers at our one-day programs.
Community Service →
Perform, serve, and give back throughout our community.
EXPLORE
See where your voice can take you.
Being part of Fortify can take singers beyond the rehearsal room—from summer tours and remarkable stages to festivals, collaborations, and performances they’ll remember long after the final note..
SUMMER TOURS
Washington, DC · New York City · Ireland
REMARKABLE STAGES
National Cathedral · Strathmore · Hylton PAC
UNEXPECTED EXPERIENCES
Festivals · Collaborations · Special performances
QUESTIONS? WE'VE GOT ANSWERS.
Everything you need to know about Fortify.
From auditions and voice placement to rehearsals, tuition, and performance commitments, here are answers to some of the questions families ask most.
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Fortify is SLYC's tenor/bass ensemble for singers in grades 7–12 with changing and changed voices. Singers should be enrolled in their school music program when one is available and must complete a placement audition before joining Fortify. No prior SLYC experience is required.
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That's exactly what Fortify is designed for. Singers do not need to have a fully changed or settled voice to participate. Our artistic staff works with each singer's voice as it exists today, helping them develop healthy technique and musicianship as their instrument continues to change.
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Auditions are designed to help our artistic staff get to know each singer and determine the best ensemble placement.
During the audition, we'll explore your vocal range, invite you to sing a short song of your choice a cappella—even something as simple as Happy Birthday is perfectly fine—and spend a few minutes chatting with you about your interests and experience as a singer.
Visit Join SLYC for current audition dates, registration, and everything you need to get started.
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Fortify rehearses Monday evenings from 7:00–8:20 PM at Willard Middle School in Aldie, Virginia. Our regular concert season runs from September through April, with occasional additional rehearsals or performance calls scheduled as needed.
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Consistent attendance is important to the success of the entire ensemble. Fortify singers may miss up to two rehearsals per concert cycle and are expected to participate in scheduled performances. Additional rehearsals, performances, or special events may occasionally be added to the regular Monday schedule, with families receiving dates in advance whenever possible.
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Full-season tuition for Fortify is $750 when paid in full. Families may also choose an installment plan of three monthly payments of $275 ($825 total), or enroll by semester for $450. Financial assistance is available to help make SLYC accessible to families who need it.
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Yes. While we encourage singers to participate for the full season, semester enrollment is available for families who cannot commit to the entire year. Semester tuition is $450. Singers joining for a semester are expected to participate fully in rehearsals and performances during that concert cycle.
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We're happy to help you find the right place at SLYC. If you have questions about Fortify, auditions, voice placement, scheduling, or anything else, reach out to our team. We can help you determine which ensemble and enrollment option makes the most sense for your singer.
READY TO FIND YOUR VOICE?
Your place in Fortify starts here.
Join a community where changing and changed voices are understood, challenged, and celebrated—and discover what your voice can do.