Grammy Award-Winning Non-Profit Collaborates With Compton High School

COMPTON, CA — The Grammy award-winning National Children's Chorus has partnered with the Compton Unified School District to create a new "world-class" vocal arts program.

The scholarship-funded program, which has been established at Compton High School, was created to "inspire the community's young voices to reach their full potential," according to a press release on Wednesday from the NCC and the district.

Luke McEndarfer, the NCC's President, CEO and artistic director of the new program, said in a statement that it was an "immense honor and privilege" that the school district chose the NCC to help in its vision to create the new vocal arts program.

“Allowing young people to engage with music and build skills that empower their voices is central to our mission," McEndarfer said. "We are thrilled to work with Compton's talented youth.

Compton High School Principal, Dr. Larry Natividad, said the decision to work with the NCC was in part due to the success of graduates from the non-profit organization. The NCC won "Best Choral Performance" at the 2022 Grammys.

“We are offering our students an amazing opportunity to have world-class training and perform at the highest level,” Natividad said in a statement. "This one-of-a-kind program will powerfully enrich our students and open them up to incredible opportunities.”

The program started earlier this year, with all of Compton High School's students being invited to audition. Out of 1,400 students, about 20 were selected for the first ensemble.

Auditions will open up again in the fall, with plans to ultimately train 120 students each year. Students will be trained and participate in performances at a local, national and worldwide level, according to the non-profit.

The NCC has a storied history, beginning in 1904, when Father William Finn founded the Paulist Choristers, according to the non-profit. In 2009, McEndarfer and Cristina Demiany rebranded the non-profit into the NCC, while establishing itself in Los Angeles, according to the non-profit.

The NCC trains about 1,400 each year across 40 choirs across the country, including in Los Angeles, Chicago and New York.