Youth Music News
Dear Friends,
Our choirmaster, Clint Miller, has long wanted to re-establish a children's chorus, and though he has always been willing to meet with children at odd times for rehearsals, he found that it was difficult for parents and children to come to church more often than for the regular Sunday School/church times. (And even getting children to the regular programs and services is sometimes almost impossible, now that many households have two working parents overseeing ever more demanding children's schedules.)
Our new plan, then, was to have very short music sessions with the children during Sunday School classes and, for the younger children, during Kids' Club. This means not only interrupting the Sunday School classes, but shortening them. It also means that Mr. Miller cannot run these music sessions, because he is rehearsing the adult choir at that time.
I have agreed to work alongside Clint to try out the new music program, and Sunday School teachers have been willing to work alongside me as they experience a certain amount of upheaval in their classes (for which I thank them all!).
Here's the plan:
1. The youngest children (Precious Lambs and any willing child up to five years of age) will be taught during Kid's Club, which takes place during the 10:15 worship service. The children will learn pitch, rhythm, and how to produce a beautiful sound with their brand new voices. They will also learn to play the Orff instruments that have just arrived at the church; beautiful marimbas, xylophones, drums, zither, as well as standing and hand-held percussion instruments! (Where did we get these instruments? They are a gift given in memory of Chester and Alva Curley, by their family and friends.)
2. The next oldest group (Rainbow Kids, approximately ages 6-8) begins its Sunday School class (at 9:00 a.m.) with a 15-minute vocal warm-up and rehearsal as choristers in whichever piece is being prepared at the time. (Children this young are not yet ready to do solo work.)
3. The remaining three groups, (Faith Weavers, ages 9-11; Rite 13, ages 12-14; and J2A, any interested older high school students), will be combined for a 15-to 20-minute session at the end of the Sunday School hour around 9:45 a.m.). Most of these children will also sing as choristers, though they will be training, at the same time, to be soloists in future productions. Some are ready to perform as soloists already.
Our first production is already in rehearsal. It is a 10-minute long chancel opera called A Conversation Between Mary and the Angel Gabriel, to be presented in place of the sermon at the 10:15 service on Sunday, December 9. Lead singers are actress/singer/dancer Jennifer H-H (soprano), as Gabriel, and Kayla M as Mary. Most others will function as a chorus of "Backup Angels;" others will serve as lighting and tech hands and recording technicians; and occasionally a student who plays an instrument will be encouraged to participate as an accompanist. (For instance, Lacy W has expressed interest in playing her violin, and Drew S, a new student of guitar, is already preparing a part written especially for him.)
Other goals of the music sessions at church include:
- Familiarize children of all ages with the mass settings we use in the service, and with the hymns, so that they feel more a part of the worship service.
- Form a functioning children's chorus which will double as a liturgical theater group that will have something to present to the church community, either at worship or at some other church event, several times a year.
- Teach young people the delight of working together toward a tangible goal, all the while growing in self-esteem and confidence.
Please contact me, Susan B, through the church office (610-434-0155) with questions, ideas, or if you or your child might be interested in joining up. Being a member of the parish is not required, so friends of Sunday Schoolers are welcome, provided they can keep regular attendance.
Sincerely,
Susan B.