Hello, St. Sylvester Families!
Well, we have begun our new year. The choirs have already sung at 2 or 3 school masses, and now the first family mass is here. Family masses are the third Sunday of each month and begin at 11:30. Our school choirs perform the music-- it's our chance to sing in the church's choir loft and to be accompanied by the very talented Mr. Michael Crump on the organ.
I recommend that choir members get to church at 11:20. This gives them a chance to settle in and get ready to sing the opening hymn. When they arrive, they can come straight up to the loft. I will have a sign-in sheet for the kids. I will be sure to note whether their families are already at church, or if they will be waiting to be picked up afterwards. Children waiting to be picked up will stay with me.
Younger choir members' families signed slips stating they will attend these family masses. This helped the classroom teachers and me narrow down who could be in choir, since we always have so many enthusiastic students at the beginning of the year.
The junior high choir members are not required to come to every family mass, because we have run into many schedule conflicts in the past. However, I would like junior high choir members to attend at least 4 family masses out of the 9 we will have during the year. We really do miss their voices and their leadership when they are not there. And I believe these family mass performances are truly valuable to the choir experience.
ALSO, did you know your junior high students auditioned for me this year? This process let students know that choir is truly for people who want to sing, are interested in learning about singing and being part of a choir, and who are willing to put in the effort to do these things. I was very happy to be able to include all those who auditioned this year. I know firsthand how scary it can be to sing for someone, whether it be alone or in a small group, especially as a middle schooler. I was proud and pleasantly surprised by the bravery and effort my choir members showed.
