As you consider joining children’s choir this year, there are some changes that will be important to note. First, the age eligibility has changed slightly from previous years. Children should be between the ages of 7 and 13 on January 1, 2009. Children who are currently 6 years old but will be turning 7 by January 1, 2009 are eligible. Please note, however, that the music the choir performs is geared toward children ages 8 and up. Many 7-year-olds do a great job; some find the rehearsals and music a little daunting. Parents are always welcome to sit in on rehearsals with their children and see whether or not the choir will work for their family.

Second, there will be a small charge for the music this year. For the fall quarter, each family will be required to buy a $5 CD that you will get to keep. You may also be asked to buy a red long-sleeved t-shirt for performances, which cost $10 / shirt. If you have your shirt from last year, you will not have to buy another shirt.

Finally, rehearsals will be structured differently than last year. The entire choir will remain together during the 7:00 hour–there will be no division into Junior and Senior Choirs during that hour. The Seniors will have a separate rehearsal from 8:00 – 8:30 p.m., but there will be no special division of the Junior Choir this year. Instead, the entire choir will work together during regular rehearsal on several musicals and special concerts that we will perform together throughout the year.

For Emancipation Day, we are planning to perform a collection of spirituals. In October, we will perform a mini-musical titled “Heaven’s Kitchen”–a take-off on the many popular cooking shows of today. We are also excited to be a part of the Christmas Play. In the winter, we will be putting on another mini-musical and then a full-length musical show at the end of the school year. As usual, there will be plenty of solos and speaking roles available in all of these performances!

The Senior Choir will continue to rehearse and perform specials in the worship service in addition to being a part of all of the general performances noted above. However, since we are not splitting up the choir during the main 7:00 p.m. rehearsal time, the Seniors will now be rehearsing on Wednesdays from 8:00 – 8:30 p.m.–immediately following regular rehearsal. This additional rehearsal will allow the Seniors to work on more challenging music with additional parts. The Seniors will first be working on a special for the Emancipation Day event that they will perform in addition to the songs sung by the entire choir.

This new schedule will provide a good mix of both fun and challenging music for the entire age-range in the choir. Younger children will enjoy staying together with the older children during the main rehearsal as we all work together on more special performances than ever. Older children will get to stretch their wings with the additional challenge of Senior Choir, and children of all ages will love the musical dramas we have planned for this year! Your children won’t want to miss our kick-off on August 27!