Summit Choral Society

Summit Choral Society began in 1990 with the Masterworks Chorale. The Children’s Choir Program soon followed in 1990, providing the start of a unique pathway for choral music education and performance. The vision was to develop a musical community for singers of all ages who enjoy learning, growing, creating and sharing the sounds of the expansive world of choral repertoire.

Serving the Greater Akron area for 26 years, the Children’s Choir Program is a unique vocal music education program for children in grades one through twelve. Its teachings are based on the Zoltan Kodály method of attaining music literacy. This past season, 179 children from over 100 schools in six counties participate. Singers are placed in one of four Musicianship Classes and the appropriate choir (Beginning Singing, Intermediate, Advanced or Performance Choirs) matched with their own musical experience and skill. Each student progresses at his/her own speed and ability.

The Masterworks Chorale, the multi-generational flagship ensemble of SCS, begins its 27th season this year. These singers from diverse backgrounds and beliefs are brought together by their love of choral art, their shared dedication to quality musical experiences and the sheer joy and pleasure found in bringing choral masterworks from across the centuries to its audiences.

This past year, SCS welcomed a new Artistic Director, Dr. Marie Bucoy-Calavan. She was appointed by the Board of Directors on July 1, 2015. Dr. Bucoy-Calavan is also the Director of Choral Studies at the University of Akron and was recently appointed the Director of the Akron Symphony Orchestra Chorus. After her critically acclaimed and successful debut as ‘Guest Conductor’ in the spring 2015, it was a natural (and exciting) progression to engage her officially as SCS’s new Artistic Director to bring new life, vision and energy to a beloved organization. Her involvement at the University has also been of great benefit. This past season at SCS, she created a Choral Scholars Program and a Choral Conducting Fellowship (funded in part by the Charles E. & Mabel M. Ritchie Foundation and the Lloyd L. & Louise K. Smith Memorial Foundation). Having these college-age students actively involved with the Masterworks Chorale has brought a new-found interest from other college-age students as well as young professionals to SCS. With the university’s collaboration, the pathway for the choral art has been made complete from the Children’s Choir Program to college-age / young professionals to the senior adult.