CCC offers free choir program for CPS students

For the past three years, an anonymous donor has provided funds for the Cincinnati Children’s Choir to further its mission of providing “all children the opportunity to experience musical excellence in a creative environment.”
 
This year’s $20,000 donation will again allow the CCC to offer its free Cincinnati Public Schools Honor Choir program, which engages CPS students in fifth- through seventh-grades, in an intense two-day rehearsal program that culminates in a gala performance.
 
“Since so many schools are losing their music programs, this gives the opportunity for them to still get that musical exposure,” says Rachel Breeden, operations associate for the CCC.
 
CPS Honor Choir members will learn a diverse set of choral arrangements under the direction of nationally recognized musicians like Rollo Dilworth, associate professor at Temple University and highly sought-after African American composer, who will lead a day of rehearsals and serve as guest conductor for the students’ concert May 10.
 
“People send hundreds of dollars to do clinics with him, and we’re offering that for free to the community,” Breeden says.
 
The CCC’s resident and most advanced singers from the Bel Canto Choir, led by Robyn Lana, artistic director and program founder, will mentor the CPS Honor Choir throughout the weekend—an experience that Breeden says is invaluable in that it promotes leadership and music education.
 
“We’re creating leaders in our community because they’re learning to teach others these important skills,” Breeden says. “It’s important for us that generations pass on information to others, so we’re creating not only singers, but music educators and people who are passionate about the arts in our community.”

Do Good: 

• Register your child to participate in a Cincinnati Children's Choir program; and if your CPS student is recommended for the CPS Honor Choir, register them by March 7.

• Support students in the CPS Honor Choir by attending their free performance May 10 at 3 p.m. inside Corbett Auditorium.

• Like the CCC on Facebook to keep up with programming and events.

By Brittany York

Brittany York is a professor of English composition at the University of Cincinnati and a project manager for Charitable Words. She also edits the For Good section of SoapboxMedia.