FEAST OF CAROLS

Joe Miller, Robyn Lana, Ryan Block, Alberto de la Paz, Rachel Feldman, Trevor Kroeger, Caitlyn McGlynn, Greg Miller, Hollyn Orr, Nathan Smith, Matthew Swope, Sergey Tkachenko, Heather Vest, Liyao Yu, conductors

Sarah J. Baker, Tracy Carpenter, Joshua Huff, Angelo Sylvester, guest conductors

CCM’s Choral Studies Program is internationally recognized for more than 50 years of excellence in training conductors and singers for successful, lifelong careers in the choral arts. Our choral ensembles are proud to offer transformative musical experiences for singers and audiences through performances ranging from acclaimed staged productions to presentations of contemporary works. 

Cincinnati Youth Choir is the Queen City’s premier youth choral ensemble program, in-residence at University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music. Through CCM’s Preparatory & Community Engagement department, CYC’s educationally-based organization oversees a portfolio of: 

• Six resident touring choirs 
• Seven CPS, in-school choirs 
• Three nationally-attended summer education festivals 
• Two “top-ranked” education & engagement programs (Chorus America, 2018) 

Cincinnati Youth Choir’s learning environments are explorative, supportive, and fun. Our resident and in-school choirs have engaged thousands of Cincinnati youth through musicianship and vocal development and outstanding artistry. Inspired by the innovative El Sistema model, CYC also manages the city’s Cincinnati Choral Academy, a free after-school program serving over 200 CPS students, in collaboration with Cincinnati May Festival and Vocal Arts Ensemble (VAE), operating within a “participatory environment in which students and teachers learn and lead, together.”  

Over the past 30 years, CYC singers have formed lasting relationships with children outside their communities & developed a lifelong appreciation of choral music. Boasting an impressive international reputation, CYC singers have toured globally in Italy, Japan, China, Scandinavia, The United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, and Canada. CYC also holds the title of Gold Medal Youth Choir in 2012’s World Choir Games.

Joshua Huff, conductor 

The Campbell County High School Chorale is the advanced mixed choir at CCHS and is comprised of students in grades 10-12. This year, the CCHS choral program consists three ensembles: Chorale, Advanced Women’s Choir, and Concert (Beginning) Choir with a total of 95 students. The CCHS Chorale has received Distinguished ratings at KMEA district and state choral performance assessments. This is Mr. Huff’s tenth year at Campbell County High School. His wife Amy has been the choir teacher at Campbell County Middle School for 20 years.

Sarah J. Baker, conductor 

The Little Miami Select Choirs organization includes the two auditioned choral ensembles from Little Miami High School (LM Chorale and Select Mixed Choir) and the Little Miami Tour Chorale (an ensemble comprised of present members and alumni). Established in 2003 by director, Sarah J. Baker, these ensembles have maintained a tradition of excellence ranging from earning Superior ratings in OMEA adjudicated events to gold rankings and championship titles at the international level. The select choir ensembles are in constant demand throughout the community and region, including invitations to the Ohio State Capitol, the Music for All National Choral Festival, OMEA and ACDA conferences. Our choirs have appeared most recently in the May Festival Chorus 25 for 25 project and the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra’s performance of Cecilia McDowell’s The Girl from Aleppo and the Walk with Little Amal events at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and the We Are One: HOPE presentation held at St. Catharine of Siena Church. The LM Select Choirs enjoy annual domestic educational tours, while the Tour Chorale travels internationally bi-annually. We are honored to be a part of the 2023 UC-CCM Feast of Carols.

Tracy Carpenter, conductor 

Making their third appearance at Feast of Carols, the Milford High School Choral program has a longstanding tradition of excellence.  The program includes two curricular choirs and three extra curricular a cappella ensembles, including a thriving barbershop group.  Milford choirs have received top ratings at OMEA Contest, and performed in Chicago, New York and Nashville, as well as all around the greater Cincinnati area.

Angelo Sylvester, conductor

Ensemble X is St. Xavier High School’s varsity level choir and is a subset of the larger choral program known as “X-Men.” Students are selected through an audition process. This group often acts as the musical ambassadors of the school, performing not only for St. Xavier’s main stage concert series, but also in numerous events on campus and off campus. Ensemble X competes in OMEA Class A, often earning superior ratings at both the district and state level. The entire ensemble is honored to have been invited to CCM for the 2023 Feast of Carols. This year, they’ll be performing at the OMEA State Conference in February, and in April, you can catch them on stage performing a set in Carnegie Hall!

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Join or renew your CCMpower member today to help provide critical scholarship funds. Visit foundation.uc.edu/ccmpower to learn more.