Youth singing groups in Bronxville, Scarsdale and Eastchester have until Monday, Oct. 12, to enter a contest that could land them on national television.
NBC 4 New York and Telemundo 47 are accepting applications for their annual Star Choir competition, Patch reported Tuesday, Sept. 15.
The winning group will perform live during NBC's "Christmas in Rockefeller Center" broadcast on Wednesday, Dec. 2.
The contest is open to groups of 10 to 35 singers, all between ages 6 and 18, in the stations' viewing area. That territory covers Westchester County, putting every youth choir in Bronxville, Scarsdale and Eastchester in the running.
To enter, groups submit a video performance of any holiday-themed song, three minutes or shorter, at nbcnewyork.com/choir.
A Spanish-language application is available at telemundo47.com/choir. Groups chosen for a second round must submit formal parental consent and perform "Up on the Housetop."
Eric Lerner, president and general manager of NBC 4 New York and Telemundo 47, said in a statement that the station is eager to continue the tradition and welcome this year's winners to 30 Rock.
Past winners include P.S. 103 in the Bronx in 2021, Neptune High School's Scarlet Sound A Cappella Choir in 2024 and Franklin High School's Gold 'N Blues Student Choir in 2025. No Westchester group has won in recent years.
Several local programs fit the contest's age and size requirements. The Reformed Church of Bronxville's Kirk Singers draw students in grades 6 through 12 and rehearse Wednesdays.
Christ Church Bronxville runs the Christ Church Choristers for singers in Grade 2 and above. The group charges no tuition and welcomes children from the wider community.
In Scarsdale, Hitchcock Presbyterian Church offers a Youth Choir for grades 6 through 9, led by Dr. John T. King, minister of music. Scarsdale High School's co-ed a cappella group For Good Measure, founded in 2001, has 16 members.
Bronxville School's middle and high school chorus is led by Pamela Simpson, who has taught choral music there since 1999.
The Westchester Children's Chorus, a regional program with more than 150 singers from 37 schools, fields nine auditioned ensembles for students in grades 1 through 12.
Key dates
- Monday, Oct. 12: Star Choir video submission deadline
- Wednesday, Dec. 2: NBC's "Christmas in Rockefeller Center" broadcast
