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.

Program Mission

Cincinnati Choral Academy is a collaborative program brought to you by the Cincinnati Youth Choir, Cincinnati May Festival, and Vocal Arts Ensemble (VAE), with generous support provided by Cincinnati International Wine Festival, Matinée Musicale, the Louise Dieterle Nippert Musical Arts Fund, Ohio Arts Council, the Ladislas and Vilma Segoe Family Foundation, and the Andrew Jergens Foundation.

Keri McGuire
Interim Director

Keri McGuire has loved directing choirs and being a part of the Cincinnati Choral Academy team since 2017. She is a music educator with 20 years of experience in music education. Mrs. McGuire received her Bachelor in Music Education degree with a Vocal Emphasis from Georgetown College in Georgetown, KY. She later earned her Master in Music Education with a Mastery of Levels Orff-Schulwerk Certificate from the University of Kentucky, in Lexington, KY. Her decision to become a music teacher and choir director was solidified when she attended the all-state children’s choir in Louisville, KY during her college years. Since graduating, she has taught music and drama in Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio. She has loved making Cincinnati her home since moving here with her family in 2015. In addition to teaching music in the classroom, Mrs. McGuire has co-authored a music curriculum for early learning, Wee Wonder. She believes that the earliest stages of learning are strengthened through music, and that learners of all ages should have quality opportunities for singing and music-making experiences. She feels everyday offers a chance to connect in positive ways with others, and that music provides that opportunity to bring people together.

Rehearsals and Attendance

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 schedules above), 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.