Mission/Vision

By recognizing the unique abilities of each student, setting high standards of achievement and involving families and the community in its training program, the Cathedral Choir School shapes the next generation of community leaders through the power of music.  Recognized as one of the best after-school cultural enrichment programs in the nation by the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, the Cathedral Choir School is open to all children ages seven to seventeen regardless of their religious affiliation.  The Cathedral Choir School reaches out to children from its Brandywine Village neighborhood and provides them with life-changing experiences.  The impact of the Cathedral Choir School on the lives of the choristers has been tremendous, with many crediting the School for their improved academics, honors and achievements. Choristers in the program have been elected class president, awarded scholarships to private high schools and universities, and encouraged to reach beyond their expectations.  Each week, the Cathedral Choir School provides youth with at least ten hours of choral training, piano study, mentoring, tutoring, and leadership development – opportunities they would not have otherwise.  Students meet one-on-one after-school with their mentor or tutor, take a half-hour private piano lesson, or use the computer lab to complete music theory tutorials that help them to become better musicians.  In the course of the choir season, students have opportunities to sing in English, Latin, French, German, Spanish, and Swahili and to sing a repertoire of music that spans five centuries.  They travel and sing with the Cathedral Choir which allows them to display their musical and leadership skills to the broader community.  Recent tours have included New York City, Washington, D.C. and England.

Board Roles and Responsibilities

• Serve a three year term and attend all Board meetings which are scheduled from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on a weeknight (usually a Tuesday night) six times per year.
• Serve on at least one committee (Annual Scholarship Campaign, Finance, Marketing/Public Relations, or Trusteeship etc.).
• Through your giving, serve as a model for alumni, parents and other donors of the Cathedral Choir School.  Make the Cathedral Choir School one of your top philanthropic priorities.
• Make a generous annual gift that is commensurate with your personal circumstances to the Cathedral Choir School.
• Participate in all other special campaigns, including capital and endowment.
• Consider including the Cathedral Choir School in your estate plans.
• Attend events and invite friends.
• Identify, solicit, cultivate and thank other donors.
• Be able to articulate the needs of the organization and serve as its ambassador to the community.
• Complete assignments in a responsible and timely fashion.
• Approve the Annual Budget prepared by staff.
• Participate in Strategic Planning for the organization.
• Set policies and provide financial oversight for the all funds, including the Endowment and Annual Fund.

Special skills sought for the Board:

Experience in creating business plans

Marketing/public relations

Experience in education and urban schools

Board Committees:

Development

Annual Scholarship (includes annual fundraising breakfast)

Finance

Marketing/Public Relations

Trusteeship

Other Volunteer Opportunities:

Day School Exploration Committee

Becoming a Mentor to a Student

Contact Person:

Lisa F. Slinkard, Director of Development

302.654.6279, ext. 2

lslinkard@cathedralchoirschoolde.org