Cincinnati Choral Academy

A collaborative program brought to you by: The Cincinnati Children’s Choir,  Cincinnati May Festival , and Vocal Arts Ensemble (VAE). With generous support provided by: Ohio Arts Council, The Corbett May Festival Fund, The Andrew Jergens Foundation, The Ladislas and Vilma Segoe Family Foundation, The Nellie Leaman Taft Foundation, & The Louise Dieterle Nippert Musical Arts Fund.

The Cincinnati Choral Academy is a free after-school program offering a comprehensive music literacy and choral education to third-grade students twice per week during two-hour sessions. Carson & Pleasant Hill Academy schools have been selected as our CPS host schools for this program. Participants who would benefit most from the Choral Academy are recommended by school staff members. Recommended students are not required to have prior musical experience, but a commitment to attending all weekly rehearsals and performances is essential.

Programs Mission

The Cincinnati Choral Academy’s mission is to enrich and educate the community by building outstanding young leaders in a safe environment, while providing musical excellence to all youth regardless of their background.

Director

Sarah Grogan, a Cincinnati native, proud Cincinnati Children’s Choir alumni, and current May Festival Chorus singer, joins CCC again as the Director of the Cincinnati Choral Academy, after having been the assistant director of the Miami Choral Academy. This program was an El Sistema inspired choral program for underprivileged elementary students in Miami-Dade Public Schools. She has also taught elementary music in the Clark County School District in Las Vegas.  Sarah holds a Bachelor of Music in music education from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. While at CCM she received the John Leman Award for Choral Excellence, the Presser Award, and the Outstanding Academic Achievement Award.

Schedule

Fall Session:

Carson Elementary: Rehearsals begin September 19th

Pleasant Hill : Rehearsals begin September 20th

Registration and emergency medical form are due back to Ms. Grogan at your first rehearsal.

December 10th: CCA performs at the Cincinnati Children’s Choir 5pm Winter Concert – Full details to be provided once finalized.

 

Winter Session:

Carson Elementary: Rehearsals begin January 3rd

Pleasant Hill : Rehearsals begin January 4th

Rehearsals and Attendance

Carson Elementary: Rehearsals each Monday and Wednesday, 2:30-4:30pm

Pleasant Hill Academy: Rehearsals each Tuesday and Thursday, 2:30-4:30pm

It is an honor to be a member of the CCA. Each child (and their family) is expected to demonstrate commitment by being punctual and consistently attending all rehearsals and performances. Every single child is important to the success of the program. Just as with any other team effort, the success of the choir is reliant on the attendance of all of its members. Therefore, the child and family should make participation a priority. All rehearsals and performances are mandatory for all singers.

A choir member may be considered excused for:

  • Illness requiring absence from school
  • Death in the family
  • Conflict with a school commitment: This will usually be handled jointly by school and CCA staff.

In order to be recorded as excused, parents must submit a written note/email/voicemail prior to the rehearsal. A written excuse should include the child’s name, reason for dismissal or tardiness, and the parent’s signature. Notes without a stated reason will be considered unexcused. Please notify us of your absences by contacting Rachel Breeden at [email protected] or by calling 513-556-0338.

Absences that occur for any reason other than those listed above will be considered on an individual basis by the director. Excessive absences – more than 3 in a semester – will result in a parent conference to discuss the child’s future in the program.

As much as CCC supports a child’s need to maintain good grades and receive a good education, we cannot regularly accept homework as an excused absence from rehearsals and NEVER from performances. Singers should plan ahead.

Performances are mandatory for all singers. If a singer has a conflict with a performance date (see schedule on last page), notify the director as soon as possible.

Weather

If CPS closes schools, CCA is cancelled. If schools are delayed, CCA will run as normal.

Uniforms

The uniform for all concerts consists of the CCA T-shirt (provided), black pants or floor-length black skirts for girls, black socks or hose, and black dress shoes.