A nationally-recognized, award-winningchoral performance program.
All Summit Choral Society children's choir program directors are highly skilled,degreed professionals in music education. We care about children's development...and it shows!
COVID-19 Season Revisions
SUMMIT CHORAL SOCIETY, CHILDREN’S CHOIR PROGRAM - (AKRON, OH)
The musical ingenuity of Summit Choral Society’s (SCS) Children’s Choir Program (CCP) will continue this season with new, innovative programming. After holding a safe and successful Summer Music Session for participants of the Children’s Choir Program in early August, significant modifications were made to the children’s programming for the season. These revisions reflect the reality and impact of living with COVID-19 and reflect SCS’s dedication to serve the community and its ability to adapt in order to do so. Programming this season consists of the high-quality choral experience the community expects, focusing on education and positive, impactful musical experiences over performances from previous years. SCS’s expanded programming provides a well-rounded musical education through in-class musicianship and extension experiences, new this season! Extension experiences are instrumental based experiences and include drumming, pitched percussion (xylophones, glockenspiels, Boomwhackers), mindful wellness/Dalcroze, and dance. Sessions for children follow health and safety mandates as well as recommendations from national aerosol studies on singing and consultation with local medical professionals to help ensure the health and safety of all participants.
*Extension Experiences for AC/PC include: Bucket Drumming, pitched percussion (xylophones, glockenspiels), Boomwhackers, Mindful Wellness (Dalcroze), Dance
*Extension Experiences for Intermediate Choir and Beginning Singing include: Pitched Percussion, Dance
SUMMIT CHORAL SOCIETY, CHILDREN’S CHOIR PROGRAM - (AKRON, OH)
The musical ingenuity of Summit Choral Society’s (SCS) Children’s Choir Program (CCP) will continue this season with new, innovative programming. After holding a safe and successful Summer Music Session for participants of the Children’s Choir Program in early August, significant modifications were made to the children’s programming for the season. These revisions reflect the reality and impact of living with COVID-19 and reflect SCS’s dedication to serve the community and its ability to adapt in order to do so. Programming this season consists of the high-quality choral experience the community expects, focusing on education and positive, impactful musical experiences over performances from previous years. SCS’s expanded programming provides a well-rounded musical education through in-class musicianship and extension experiences, new this season! Extension experiences are instrumental based experiences and include drumming, pitched percussion (xylophones, glockenspiels, Boomwhackers), mindful wellness/Dalcroze, and dance. Sessions for children follow health and safety mandates as well as recommendations from national aerosol studies on singing and consultation with local medical professionals to help ensure the health and safety of all participants.
*Extension Experiences for AC/PC include: Bucket Drumming, pitched percussion (xylophones, glockenspiels), Boomwhackers, Mindful Wellness (Dalcroze), Dance
*Extension Experiences for Intermediate Choir and Beginning Singing include: Pitched Percussion, Dance
The Children's Choir Program is a choral arts music education and performance program for children and youth. Through its emphasis on the Kodály philosophy of music education, children in the program experience learning through sequential development of musical skills with emphasis on music literacy, and the development of a solid and healthy vocal technique. As a result, students move through the core choir levels of BEL CANTO, Advanced and Performance with the accompanying curriculum and a consistent sense of accomplishing ever more challenging music with leveled choirs and musicianship class while at the same time taking pride in the ever growing beauty of their own singing voice. The activities provided in the courses of each season help singers grow and promote self-esteem, accomplishment and pride. Singers attend weekly training/rehearsal sessions with Kodály trained professional music teachers, progressing at their own speed and ability to grasp the musical skills required for advancing to the next level. Each season includes performances in December and May. Performance schedules vary by choir and year.
Children’s Choir Program activities have shifted to smaller groups with social distancing and PPE. Implementing guidelines from Chorus America & national aerosol studies regarding singing safely, SCS continues to provide a well-balanced musical experience for children complete with new Extension Experiences. These instrumental classes have been carefully crafted to reinforce the melodic, rhythmic and musicianship at the core of the Summit Choral Society curriculum.
Check out these photos of the first rehearsal back this season!
Check out these photos of the first rehearsal back this season!
Meet the Choirs
BEL CANTO
Director: Jessica Bell
BEL CANTO Choir emphasizes the joy of making music through song and movement and is ideal for young children who love to sing. This choir consists of singers in grades 1-5. Bel Canto provides young children with a positive learning experience, rich in choral development techniques, presented by a degreed, experienced educator. it represents the foundation of good choral singing and artistry! Children are encouraged to experiment with their voices in a warm and comfortable environment, without feeling like they are singing alone. This level reaps the benefits of a low pupil/teacher ratio and a team teaching environment. No audition is necessary for this level. A singer should expect to be in this class for at least 2 years. In addition to individual singing and choral ensemble techniques, this choir provide singers the opportunity to grow as well rounded musicians by providing individual singer attention, instant individual feedback and assessment as well as providing multi-faceted learning. Singers should expect to become fluent in 2-part harmony. "I wanted to take a moment and thank you for the summer sessions for the children. I was nervous about their safety and if they would really have fun - and you succeeded in both areas! They had a great time, of course they want to sing as much as possible (without a mask) but don't we all! They enjoyed seeing Mrs. Bell and all of you! Thank you so much and please pass along the message."
-Monica A. 
Professional, talented, fun and fabulous experience for our daughter. Clear, accurate schedules and expectations. Highly recommend!
-J.P.Z. 
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Advanced ChoirDirector: Emily Garlock
This choir represents the advanced training level of instruction. Singers are placed in this choral ensemble via a non-competitive audition based on a combination of their current demonstrated vocal range and ability, age, grade level and maturity level. In addition to individual singing and choral ensemble techniques, this choir provides singers the opportunity to grow as well- rounded musicians. Singers should expect to become fluent in 3-part harmony and will be exposed to harmonies in 4 parts. A singer should expect to sing with this choir for 2-3 years. Advanced Choir consists of singers who are 10 years old by September 1st and mainly consists of grades 6-9. "THANK YOU! You have done an amazing job with these crazy circumstances! My daughters have really missed choir and will be so glad to return."
- Erika O. 
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Grand Ole Opry, 2019
Carnegie Hall, 2018
John F. Kennedy Center, 2017
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Performance ChoirPrincipal Conductor: Heather J. Cooper
DUE TO COVID 19 SPACE CONSTRAINTS SCS'S Performance Choir IS NOT CURRENTLY TAKING NEW STUDENTS. FILL OUT THE WAIT-LIST REQUEST FORM BELOW. Performance Choir is the flagship ensemble of the Children's Choir Program of Summit Choral Society. Under the direction of Principal Conductor Heather Cooper, this nationally-recognized choir represents the culmination of musical learning and performance in the program. Summit Choral Society seeks out quality musical and educational experiences for its singers, as demonstrated through recent major invitations, performances and tours. Performance Choir was selected to perform at the Organization of American Kodaly Educators national conference (2019). That season, they also won first place in their division at the Smoky Mountain Music Festival and sang a pre-show concert at the Grand Ole Opry. They represented Ohio at the National Memorial Day Choral Festival at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. (2017) and performed by auditioned invitation as the featured choir at the National Choral Festival at Carnegie Hall in New York City (2018). They are active across Ohio and were selected to sing at the Ohio Choral Directors Association annual state conference (2017). Highlighted symphonic appearances include Carmina Burana with the Canton Symphony Orchestra and Chorus (2018), and Elijah (2017) and Midsummer Night’s Dream (2014) with the Akron Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. Embracing its roots in Akron, Performance Choir sings at various events throughout the Greater Akron community as well as official Summit Choral Society concerts. In Spring 2020, the choir was selected travel to Massachusetts to sing in the Plymouth 400 National Commemorative Festival. "I just wanted to say how much I appreciate all the work and heart you have put into SCS and making this organization move forward in the face of all the challenges we have seen this year. My kids are excited for camp next week and starting back in October (fingers crossed, of course). Adan especially, is so happy to be in performance choir. Thank you for being a part of his life all these years."
- Heather R. 
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Summit Choral Society is dedicated to providing every child interested in choral music services in the akron area.
Our No Child Turned Away Policy ensures that families with a demonstrated financial need can be a part of children's choir musical programs. please contact the office for a financial assistance application and more information.
Our No Child Turned Away Policy ensures that families with a demonstrated financial need can be a part of children's choir musical programs. please contact the office for a financial assistance application and more information.