Young Voices Shine at Vancouver Master Chorale Youth Vocal Scholarship Competition

On the evening of February 25, the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church in Vancouver was filled with anticipation, artistry, and beautiful young voices as twelve talented high school singers gathered for the 2026 Vancouver Master Chorale Youth Vocal Scholarship Competition.

Each student had prepared two selections; at least one from the classical art song vocal repertoire, and the second from classical or musical theatre repertoire, demonstrating both technical skill and expressive artistry. The competition was inspiring. Several performances moved members of the audience to tears, a testament to the dedication and musical maturity of these remarkable young artists.

For the Vancouver Master Chorale, the annual competition is more than a contest. It is an opportunity to encourage the next generation of singers and celebrate the teachers, families, and mentors who nurture their musical journeys.

Honoring a Vision for Young Musicians

This year’s scholarship competition carried special significance as it honored the legacy of Paul Christensen, whose generous donations funded the past three competitions. During the evening’s opening remarks, VMC Board President Robin Patton reflected on Christensen’s love for music and his belief that vibrant communities are built through art and culture.

Christensen himself was a lifelong singer. While stationed at the American Embassy in Paris in the 1950s, he joined a choir after hearing a woman singing there — a decision that led to a lifelong partnership when the two later married. After settling in Vancouver, he became a passionate supporter of the arts, contributing to organizations such as the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Columbia Dance, the Clark County Historical Museum, Magenta Theater, Enspire Arts, Artstra, and Opera Quest Northwest.

He also devoted energy and resources to helping young people discover classical music — a mission reflected beautifully in the scholarship competition that now bears fruit each year.

Celebrating Exceptional Talent

All twelve competitors performed with poise and musicality, making the judges’ task difficult.

This year’s scholarship recipients were:

First Place – Mihir Iyer

First Place was awarded to tenor Mihir Iyer, a senior from Union High School.

Mihir performed Gerald Finzi’s “Who Is Sylvia?” and Alan Menken’s “Out There” with both excellent vocal technique and expressiveness. Mihir is active in both classical and musical theatre performance and has received multiple awards from the Washington State Educational Theatre Association and the MTACC Musical Theatre Festival. Mihir received a $1,500 scholarship to support his continued vocal studies and will appear as a guest soloist at the Vancouver Master Chorale’s May 16 and May 17 concerts, where he will perform “Out There.”

Second Place — Chloe McIlroy

Chloe McIlroy is a 16-year-old home-schooled sophomore soprano who resides in Ridgefield. She performed Alessandro Parisotti’s “Se Tu M’ami” and the musical theatre showpiece “The Girl in 14G.” Her performances showcased outstanding skill and humor.

She received a $750 scholarship in recognition of her excellent performance.

Investing in the Future of Music

Competitions like this one remind us that the future of choral music is bright. The Vancouver Master Chorale is honored to support these young singers as they continue to develop their voices and share their gifts with the world.

As the final notes faded and the audience enthusiastically applauded, one thing was clear: the next generation of vocal artists has arrived.

We look forward to welcoming Mihir Iyer back to the stage as a guest soloist at our May 16 and May 17 concerts.