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Choral Scholars Program
Chicago Master Singers is thrilled to continue an exciting program that emanates from CMS's passionate commitment to investing in the next generation of choral singers. The Choral Scholars Program is here to empower and inspire young singers while still in high school, providing them with a pathway to a lifelong journey in the art of choral music.
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Program OverviewCMS Choral Scholars are high school singers who are passionate about the art of choral singing and interested in performing with an established adult choral ensemble.
Selected Choral Scholars will rehearse with CMS and perform in the CMS Season Finale concerts on May 2 & 3, 2026. |
Why CMS Choral Scholars?
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This exciting program provides students with an opportunity to:
• Sing with an auditioned, intergenerational choir of around 100 experienced and high-caliber singers. • Perform advanced choral-orchestral repertoire – Lauridsen's Lux Aeterna, Mealor's Stabat Mater, and Fauré's Cantique de Jean Racine – under the direction of an esteemed conductor. • Collaborate at a high level with professional soloists and instrumentalists. • Enrich their college or music institute application/resume. |
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Program Benefits
Those selected as 2025–26 CMS Choral Scholars will receive:
• Mentoring from an experienced CMS member, ensuring that each student feels welcome, safe, and supported.
• CMS membership dues waiver
• Complimentary music
• Transportation subsidy to help cover travel costs to/from rehearsals and performances
• Complimentary tickets for family members to attend the CMS Season Finale 2025–26 concerts
• Scholarship check, granted upon successful completion of the program, including the two performances on May 2 & 3, 2026. These funds are intended to support Choral Scholars’ continued participation in music through workshops, summer camps, voice lessons, college fund, etc.
• Scholars will also receive a complimentary ticket to attend the February 2026 NextGen concert featuring Michael John Trotta. NextGen is CMS's exciting project that unites a composer-in-residence with local youth or high school choirs and CMS singers for an unparalleled intergenerational musical experience.
• Mentoring from an experienced CMS member, ensuring that each student feels welcome, safe, and supported.
• CMS membership dues waiver
• Complimentary music
• Transportation subsidy to help cover travel costs to/from rehearsals and performances
• Complimentary tickets for family members to attend the CMS Season Finale 2025–26 concerts
• Scholarship check, granted upon successful completion of the program, including the two performances on May 2 & 3, 2026. These funds are intended to support Choral Scholars’ continued participation in music through workshops, summer camps, voice lessons, college fund, etc.
• Scholars will also receive a complimentary ticket to attend the February 2026 NextGen concert featuring Michael John Trotta. NextGen is CMS's exciting project that unites a composer-in-residence with local youth or high school choirs and CMS singers for an unparalleled intergenerational musical experience.
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Program RequirementsProspective participants in the Choral Scholars Program will:
• Be enrolled in full-time study at a Chicago-area high school. • Submit a completed application form. • Provide a signed liability release waiver (from a parent/guardian, if the student is under age 18). • Adhere to all policies in the CMS Members' Handbook, including no more than 2 absences from the regular rehearsal dates noted below, and no absences during concert week April 27–May 3. |
Time Commitment
All regular CMS rehearsals are held Mondays at Countryside Church in Palatine. Weekly rehearsals begin with highly recommended sectionals at 7:00pm, followed immediately by rehearsal from 7:30-10pm. Rehearsal dates are March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; April 6, 13, 20. Ideally, the student will attend all of these rehearsals; no more than 2 absences are permitted.
All concert week rehearsals are held at Glenview Community Church in Glenview. Rehearsals are from 7-10pm on Monday, April 27, Tuesday, April 28, and Thursday, April 30. Attendance is mandatory.
Performances are held at Glenview Community Church on Saturday, May 2 (call time 5:30pm, concert at 7:30pm) and Sunday, May 3 (call time 1:00pm, concert at 3:00pm). Attendance at call rehearsals and performances is mandatory.
All concert week rehearsals are held at Glenview Community Church in Glenview. Rehearsals are from 7-10pm on Monday, April 27, Tuesday, April 28, and Thursday, April 30. Attendance is mandatory.
Performances are held at Glenview Community Church on Saturday, May 2 (call time 5:30pm, concert at 7:30pm) and Sunday, May 3 (call time 1:00pm, concert at 3:00pm). Attendance at call rehearsals and performances is mandatory.
