Our Mission Statement
The Choir School at Christ Church Cathedral is an after-school choral program that celebrates the rich cultural diversity of our city and nurtures students of all backgrounds in their growth as individuals rooted in community.
Through sacred music from a variety of traditions, academic enrichment, and acts of service, the Choir School forms young people into skilled musicians, curious learners, and compassionate people—committed to glorifying God, serving our neighbors, and transforming our city.
Music & the Arts
The Choir School, established in 2022, builds on Christ Church Cathedral’s strong choral traditional. For decades, young people from around the city have gathered weekly at CCC to learn the basics of singing and to grow their skills and repertoire.
To learn more about how your child can benefit, complete the interest form below.
In our program we will:
- Expose students to a wide variety of musical genres, with an emphasis on culturally diverse repertoire.
- Build strong musicianship skills through music literacy, including theory, technique, and ensemble singing, to support lifelong engagement with music.
- Foster a lifelong love of music and singing, both as a personal joy and as a communal spiritual practice.
- Cultivate leadership, confidence, and collaboration and service through regular rehearsals, performances, worship participation, and outreach projects.
- Nurture spiritual formation through our rich traditions of choral music, liturgy, and sacred texts in English and Spanish.
- Celebrate and reflect the cultural diversity of our community, affirming every person’s identity and heritage through inclusive musical programming and community engagement.
Choir School meets Tuesday through Thursday 4 – 8 p.m. and Sundays from 8:30 – 11:15 a.m. Participation is required on Tuesdays and Wednesday, but Thursdays are optional and for those choristers who request additional tutoring, voice lessons or piano lessons.
Choristers arrive on weekdays between 3:30 and 4:45 p.m. based on school dismissal schedules. Programming ends at 7:15 p.m. or 8 p.m., depending on grade level. Contact us for more details.
Hear our students sing:
10 a.m. on Sundays, Eucharist service
5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, Evensong service
Meals
On Tuesdays and Wednesdays when the Choir School meets, we provide dinner at no cost. Accommodations are made for Choristers who have submitted an allergy form.
Additional music lessons
Students can make a choice between a 30-minute piano lesson, or a 30-minute voice lesson or a free tutoring session. We offer these services for free, and they are scheduled on Thursdays from 4:15 to 6:15pm. Free dinner is also available at 6:15pm.
Professional colleagues
On Wednesdays and Sundays our Choristers sing with very talented professional artists, many of which come from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University Bloomington, one of the best music schools in the United States. These professional musicians offer tremendous support, guidance and mentoring.
What is the Choir School at Christ Church Cathedral?
The Choir School is an extra-curricular program that is meant to complement and enrich each child’s traditional education, while providing life changing experiences and formational opportunities. The Choir School also builds off a long-time chorister tradition at CCC that has provided musical education to thousands of Indianapolis youth.
How much does it cost?
There is no fee to enroll in the Choir School. However, students and families are asked to give of their time in service to the church. During the school year, all choristers are expected to sing for worship services at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and at 10 a.m. on Sundays in addition to special services.
What is included in weekly activities?
Weekly activities include rehearsal, music theory, study hall, and dinner. Students sing in three weekly church services. Additional instrument lessons, professional academic tutoring, and community service opportunities may be provided.
Is my child eligible?
Children in grades 3 through 8 are invited to enroll in the Choir School at CCC. We welcome current choristers to continue their involvement past 8th grade if they wish.
Is transportation provided?
It is our goal to provide transportation to choristers, on a case-by-case basis, to remove as many barriers as possible. Transportation may be available if your chorister attends a school in or near Center Township. If so, transportation would be from the chorister’s school to the Cathedral, not from the Cathedral to the chorister’s home.
Does my child have to sing on Sundays?
Because our services on Sunday are our main platform for putting our musical training into practice and for serving the community, all choristers are expected to participate. Skipping Sunday would be like going to all the soccer practices but none of the games!
Meet the Team
Curious what it`s really like to be a chorister at Christ Church Cathedral? We asked one of our choir parents — and a professional singer — to share how the program has shaped their son musically, personally, and spiritually. 🎶 From free piano lessons and original compositions to international tours and lifelong friendships across generations, the Choir School offers so much more than Sunday mornings.
Curious if it`s right for your family? Join us for Chorister for a Day on September 1 and see for yourself. Contact Program Director Melissa Chavez at melissac@ccicindy.org today to reserve a spot!
Our Chancel Choir and choristers from The Choir School have been invited to sing in residence at Salisbury Cathedral in England in the summer of 2027!
During their residency, our choristers will lead the daily round of worship in one of the Anglican Communion’s most renowned cathedrals, joining a choral tradition that spans nearly 800 years.
Sound like something your budding musician would enjoy? Try out "Chorister for a Day" on Tuesday, September 1!
Kids in grades 3–8 can enjoy a free dinner, join a rehearsal, and see what makes The Choir School so special. Space is limited — contact Program Director Melissa Chavez at melissac@ccicindy.org today to reserve a spot!
Have a grandchild, neighbor, or godchild who loves to sing? Invite them to "Chorister for a Day" on Tuesday, September 1!
Kids in grades 3–8 can enjoy a free dinner, join a rehearsal, and see what makes The Choir School so special. Space is limited — contact Program Director Melissa Chavez at melissac@ccicindy.org today to reserve a spot!
Every voice matters here. Chorister for a Day invites young singers to step into the choir loft and discover what it means to make music together at Christ Church Cathedral. Give being a chorister a shot this September 1 — no experience or commitment required! Simply reach out to Program Director Melissa Chavez at melissac@cccindy.org to secure your spot. 🎶
On Sunday, a few choristers from CCC and @trinitychurchindy had the unique opportunity to join a private rehearsal of the legendary @viennaboyschoir ! Choristers and their families were then invited to attend their performance, and an unforgettable meet and greet after the show just for them. The meet and greet was a special moment, where they laughed, shared stories, and bonded over milk and cookies! Truly an unforgettable experience for all! 🍪✨
Did your child have a great time at Joyful Noise Camp? They don’t have to wait until next summer to keep making beautiful music and great friends. They can join the Choir School, an extracurricular choral program for children in grades 3rd-8th. Enroll today at www.cccindy.org/ChoirSchool2425. Our fall season begins August 6th!
Joyful Noise Day 5 ✅ On Friday, campers competed in the annual Joyful Noise Olympics in University Park. Later that afternoon, we celebrated a week of music and friendship with a closing Evensong service, where campers exhibited the ukulele and choral skills they learned throughout the week!
Joyful Noise Camp Day 4
✅ Choir Rehearsal
✅ Ukulele Rehearsal
✅ Spaghetti & Marshmallow tower building challenge
✅ Tour of the Cathedral’s historic bell tower
✅ A chance to play the organ with Mr. Loomer
✅ Instrument “petting zoo” at the @indysymphony