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Youth Choirs
Junior Choir Program
Membership Qualifications
The Children's Choir is open to students in grades three (3rd) and four (4th).
The Middle Choir is open to students in grades five (5th), six (6th) and seven (7th).
The Youth Choir is open to students in grades eight (8th) through twelve (12th).
There is NO AUDITION to be a member of any choir, only a willingness to be a member of any choir, only a willingness to sing and learn. Students at St. Matthew's School as well as students from other public and private schools are both welcome and encouraged to become members. Conflicts with school dismissal times can be easily worked out.
About the Junior Choirs
The goal of the Junior Choir program is to teach children the language of music and artistic expression within the context of a Catholic Christian community of faith. This includes active and regular participation in church liturgies.
Participants in the Junior Choir program are actively involved in the spiritual and liturgical life of the church. They serve as ministers of music at selected liturgies throughout the year.
The Junior Choir program is committed to fostering excellent musicianship, knowledgeable participation in liturgy, and an active prayer life. This will include ongoing music theory, ear training and sight singing, fundamentals of liturgy, and involvement in the prayer life of the community.
Attendance at rehearsals and liturgies is extremely important for a well-functioning choir. All members are asked to be responsible for informing the director of any out-dates as early as possible. If you are unable to attend a rehearsal or liturgy, you are expected to call the director or another choir adult aide as soon as possible.
The Objective of the Junior Choirs
The objective of the Junior Choir program at St. Matthew the Apostle Church is best summed up by Ruth Krehbiel Jacobs, founder of the National Choristers Guild:
"Training the worship attitude of our children is like tending a rare plant. The seed must first be planted and the soil kept in a condition that encourages growth. Once the seed has been planted, it requires patient care until it reaches full flower. When it does put forth a bud, fragrant with the richness of true worship, we may be humbly grateful for the privilege of having been the gardeners."
The Schedule
All choirs rehearse in church.
The Children's Choir rehearses on Mondays from 3:45 - 4:30 PM.
The Middle Choir rehearses on Mondays from 4:45 - 5:30 PM.
The Youth Choir rehearses on Thursdays from 6:00 - 6:45 PM.
Weekly rehearsals begin sometime during September and continue until Christmas break. Regular rehearsals resume after New Year's Day and conclude sometime in May with a pizza and/or ice cream party.
A detailed schedule will be provided. It will include dates and times of the choir's expected attendance at liturgies and other functions.
Ministry Schedule
The Children's Choir sings every other Saturday at the 5:00 PM liturgy.
The Middle Choir sings every other Sunday at the 9:00 AM liturgy.
The Youth Choir sings every other Sunday at the 9:00 AM liturgy. They also sing for the Youth Stations of the Cross during Lent.
In addition, the choirs may sing for sacramental celebrations, holy days and other special liturgical events.
Specific times and dates are given out at rehearsal on a regular basis.
Parental Involvement
Parents are a vital part of the St. Matthew's Junior Choir program. You are always welcome to observe rehearsal, but parents with small children are asked to remain in the cry room at the back of church during rehearsal.
On mass day, at rehearsal, and at various times during the year, helping hands are needed to help manage the choir members while the director is preparing. Also, volunteers for other programs and projects such as the Spring Concert would also be very welcome. Please speak to Mr. Jules or call the Parish Office if you would be willing to share some of your valuable time.
Special Events
Although singing for liturgy is primary, as the Junior Choir program grows and as choristers become more experienced, members may sing for special events such as Christmas Caroling at local malls or shelters. They also participate in a Spring Concert. Day trips or overnight trips are also a possibility.
As choir members progress in musicianship and liturgical knowledge, they are assigned roles of responsibility. Some choristers will help younger children prepare, while others may eventually serve as cantors at liturgy or as assistants to the director.
