2026 Children’s Choral Festival
Saturday, April 25, 2026
First Covenant Church of Oakland
Dr. Ben Johns, clinician
The Northern California Association of Kodály Educators is proud to announce the 26th Annual Children’s Choral Festival for elementary, middle, and high school choirs.
Dr. Ben Johns
2026 Children’s Festival Clinician
This year, Dr. Ben Johns will be the clinician for the Festival on Saturday, April 25, 2026.
First Covenant Church of Oakland
4000 Redwood Rd
Oakland, CA 94619
Ben Johns is a professional singer, conductor, and voice teacher. He currently co-music directs and sings with the LA-based vocal ensemble, Resonant, and sings at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Pasadena. As a young person he acted in television commercials, sang in children’s opera choruses, performed in professional musical theater productions with Sacramento Music Circus, and trained as a dancer whose particular love was clogging. Rather than decide on a single academic major as an undergraduate, Johns imagined he could keep career options open to a future in neuroscience, medicine, and performing. Music took over when he auditioned into the American male classical vocal ensemble, Chanticleer.
Read the rest of Dr. Jon's bio here.
Festival Schedule
Saturday, April 25, 2026
Morning Session: Elementary Choirs
8:15 AM: Choirs arrive and check in at the FCC lobby
8:30 AM: Welcome, Group Warm up, and Friendship canon
9:00 AM: Mass Rehearsal and Choir performances for the clinician
9:55 AM to 12:00 PM: Rotations including Clinic, Dance and Games Sharing, Breaks, and Listening sessions
12:00 PM: Mass Concert and Final Remarks in the Sanctuary
12:30 PM: Dismissal
Afternoon Session: Middle School and High School Choirs
1:15 PM: Choirs arrive and check in at the FCC lobby
1:30 PM: Welcome, Group Warm-up, and Friendship canon
2:00 AM: Mass Rehearsal and Choir performances for the clinician
2:55 PM to 5:00 PM: Rotations including Clinic, Dance and Games Sharing, Breaks, and Listening sessions
5:00 PM: Mass Concert and Final Remarks in the Sanctuary
5:30 PM: Dismissal
Participation Guidelines
Each session is designed to enhance the choral festival experience through five key rotation parts:
Group Warm-ups: Choral vocalizing and a communal welcome round
Mass Choir Rehearsal and Performance: Singing together as a large ensemble
Individual Performances: Each group performs for the clinician and peers
Clinics: Focused work with our guest clinician Dr Ben Johns
Dance and Games: Interactive sharing activities and Kodály games
Listening: Opportunities to enjoy and learn from the performances of other choirs
Performance Timing
Elementary school choir performances should not exceed 10 minutes
Middle school or high school choir performances should not exceed 12 minutes
Important Information for Attendees
Snacks and Water: Please remind students to bring their own water bottles and nut-free snacks. Snacks and water will be provided for conductors and accompanists.
Parents and Families: Parents are welcome to stay for the event. For those who prefer to drop off their students, Montclair Village is located nearby for shopping and dining.
Lunch for Staff: Conductors and accompanists are invited to join us for a no-host lunch following the festival.
Festival Dress: Choristers should arrive in their concert outfits for the day, as changing rooms will not be available. We recommend bringing a jacket for the outdoor snack breaks.
Choir Application Form & Registration Fee
Return the application form (including the registration fee payable to NCAKE) by April 1, 2026, to secure your position in the festival.
If submitting an application for more than one choir from an organization, please indicate your first and second choice of choir. If the slots do not fill, we will accept a second choir from the same organization based on the postmark of the application.
Note: Directors must be members of OAKE/NCAKE to participate. If you are not currently a member, you may register at www.oake.org.
We look forward to continuing this tradition, which provides a lasting musical experience for our children as well as a chance for us to learn from, support, and celebrate each other’s work.
The NCAKE mission is inspired by Kodály’s vision of quality music education for all.
We nurture a vibrant community of educators, students, and musicians by providing learning opportunities and resources that promote musical excellence and celebrate the diverse cultures of Northern California and beyond.