The Young People’s Chorus of New York City has announced that it will honor pianist Lang Lang as its Artistic Honoree during their 2021 Virtual Gala, in recognition for his achievements as a pianist, educator, and philanthropist.

The annual event, set for May 10, 2021, is YPC’s biggest yearly fundraiser, and is the first time the event is held virtually, allowing the organization to present it to a world-wide audience. The program will feature choral arrangements of songs by Beyonce, The Beatles, David Lang, Yuka Honda, and YPC Artist in Residence Gordon Getty. There will be filmed vignettes with guest appearances by Grammy, Emmy, and Academy Award-winning artists, to be announced at a later date. A behind-the-scenes documentary will also be made available that night, showing the creation process behind the gala from the perspective of a chorister.

“The pandemic further confirmed how powerful music and art can be in the hands of our young people,” said YPC Founder and Artistic Director Francisco J. Núñez, “particularly during this challenging year when they are able to express their emotions – from fear and anxiety to hope and joy – through song and dance, virtually. What they have done in isolation is a testament to their resilience and are an inspiration to our program.”

The gala will showcase over 600 artists of the YPC who have recorded themselves from the safety of their homes, giving audiences a look into the renowned choral program.