Meet the Choirs
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 November, December, March, April and May. Performance schedules vary by choir and year.
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 k-3. 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. 
|
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 4+. |
"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 
|
Crescent City Choral Festival, 2023
Ohio Performance Tour, 2022
Grand Ole Opry, 2019
Carnegie Hall, 2018
John F. Kennedy Center, 2017
"We are so grateful for the team at SCS and all you have done to make not only our daughter’s choir time inspiring and meaningful, but also her childhood as SCS has played such an important role in her development as a young woman. Thank you for all you do for my child, the children and families of SCS, and our community!"
- Randy 
|
Performance ChoirPrincipal Conductor: Heather J. Cooper
*Auditioned Choral Ensemble 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. Tours resumed Spring 2022 with the All-Ohio Tour with collaborative concert events with Cincinnati Youth Choirs and Columbus Children's Choir. in 2023, Performance choir was selected to sing at the Crescent City Choral Festival in New Orleans! In 2024, the group sang at the National Memorial Day Choral Festival, commemorating the 80th Anniversary of D-Day and the Liberation of France. For 2025, the group will perform at the Sing-A-Mile High International Choral Festival for Children & Youth in Denver, CO! "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). My child especially, is so happy to be in performance choir. Thank you for being a part of his life all these years."
- Heather 
|
Extension Experiences are meaningful music experiences that enhance students overall growth in literacy, ear training, vocal techniques, pitch awareness and harmonization.
2024-2025 Extension Experiences
With Accompaniment - Directed by Shara Cocchiola
Vintage Rock - Emily Garlock
Theory 1 - Heather Cooper
SUMMIT CHORAL SOCIETY, CHILDREN’S CHOIR PROGRAM - (AKRON, OH)
The musical ingenuity of Summit Choral Society’s (SCS) Children’s Choir Program choral experience is
nationally recognized and award-winning! it combines the utmost in music education, performance and community impact. focusing on education and positive, impactful musical experiences SCS’s musical programming provides a well-rounded musical education with in-class musicianship and extension experiences. Extension experiences music opportunities for children to explore and grow with music in voice, movement, meditation and instruments. experiences change annually and may include drumming, pitched percussion (xylophones, glockenspiels, Boomwhackers), mindful wellness/Dalcroze, dance, a cappella singing, jazz vocalizations, broadway/theatrical coaching and much more.
The musical ingenuity of Summit Choral Society’s (SCS) Children’s Choir Program choral experience is
nationally recognized and award-winning! it combines the utmost in music education, performance and community impact. focusing on education and positive, impactful musical experiences SCS’s musical programming provides a well-rounded musical education with in-class musicianship and extension experiences. Extension experiences music opportunities for children to explore and grow with music in voice, movement, meditation and instruments. experiences change annually and may include drumming, pitched percussion (xylophones, glockenspiels, Boomwhackers), mindful wellness/Dalcroze, dance, a cappella singing, jazz vocalizations, broadway/theatrical coaching and much more.
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.
| financial_assistance_form_.pdf |
"I wanted to just give a shout-out of gratitude for the opportunity my daughter is having. 2.5 years ago she had such a severe stutter that she didn’t like to speak at school or to anyone outside immediate family. Singing has helped her so much and her stutter is gone (we started her with music lessons before she was old enough to join the choir). But being in the choir has given her such confidence- it has truly filled my heart with joy. So thank you to all involved in this wonderful program, we appreciate you so much!"
-Danielle
-Danielle
