Music is a wonderful gift from God and a natural expression for children. What better way to glorify God than to give the children the opportunity to play and praise through music. Musical opportunities for youth and children abound at St. David’s. Our singers give their best to God through their music, the witnessing of their faith and their commitment. Choirs for children three-years-old through twelfth grade rehearse weekly throughout the school year and provide special music for Sunday worship, festival services, and parish events. Every other year, our children and youth present a staged musical at a Sunday afternoon Messy Church service.
In addition to preparing special anthems, the children learn about the music of the church through the singing of hymns and liturgy. As they learn musical concepts through the music they prepare, they are also taught the biblical concepts behind the music. Through singing, playing instruments, and movement, the children learn to give their best to God through their music. St. David’s is a member of the Royal School of Church Music in America (RSCMA) and utilizes its training program, VOICE for LIFE, to award medals and ribbons for different levels of expertise. VOICE for LIFE provides a framework for choral singers to develop their vocal skills, musical understanding, and knowledge of the repertoire. The four levels of ribbons are light blue, dark blue, red, and yellow, with additional advanced levels available if desired.
Primary Choir: 2nd- 3rd Grades
Rehearsals: Sundays 1:15-2:00 p.m. Through hymn singing, anthems, and musical games we learn solfege (do, re, mi) and how to find the choir voice. We’ll use age appropriate songs in a variety of styles to learn the basics of note, rhythm and lyric reading. The Primary Choir participates (about twice a semester) in the 9:00 a.m. Mass, joining the Junior Choir in singing the service music, hymns and a special anthem. They also participate in the various festival services and the spring musical. Our preparation for the RSCM medals begins in this choir and is called a “graded” choir as medals and ribbons will be awarded for increasing levels of expertise. Therefore, commitment and regular attendance at rehearsals is a must! (link to: “Primary Choir Schedule.pdf”)
Junior Choir: 4th-12th Grade
Junior Choir: 4th–12th grade Rehearsals: NEW SCHEDULE for 2018-2019!!!!! Sunday activities 4:00-6:30 p.m. for Junior Choir, EYC (Youth), and PALS (when meeting) will be during this time. Here’s how it works!
4:00-5:00 p.m. High Schoolers come to choir rehearsal (Middle Schoolers go to EYC) (4th-5th graders go to PALS if they are meeting).
5:00-5:30 p.m. Dinner with all (4th-12th graders)
5:30-6:30 p.m., switch! Middle schoolers plus the 4th-5th graders come to choir rehearsal while high schoolers go to EYC.
Wednesday, 6:30-7:30 p.m.: make-up rehearsal. However, come to both if you have time!
Sunday mornings: 8:15 a.m. rehearsal if we sing for the 9:00 a.m. Mass.
The Junior Choir is the service choir for the 9:00 a.m. worship service about twice a month. In addition, this choir participates, with the Adult Choir in special worship service, such as Evensong and Lessons & Carols. Every other year, this choir is the main choir for the spring musical. The singers continue the RSCM curriculum and learn more challenging treble music, to sing in harmony using a variety of musical styles, learn to sing with the “best voice,” and how to follow a director. As we continue as a “graded” choir, commitment and regular attendance at rehearsals and worship services is critical.
Youth Handchime Choir
This is a new group for St. David’s youth 6th-12th grades. Come, learn to be a ringer!
This is a great way to learn to read music and keep moving at the same time! The only requirement is the ability to count to eight! We will play a variety of music from rhythmically challenging and contemplative hymn arrangements, to newly composed chime pieces, and maybe even arrangements of classic rock and pop tunes. Commitment and regular attendance are a must for those wishing to ring. We ring 3 octaves of handchime or handbell music. As the group gains expertise, we can venture into the realm of handbell ringing as well!
NEW FOR 2018-2019!! Saturday Choir School. We will meet in the choir room on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays to work on music theory and singing technique to earn the RSCM ribbons/medals. Light Blue/Dark Blue course work 10:00-11:00 a.m.; Red and Yellow course work 11:00 a.m. to noon.
Contact Susie Clements with questions or for more information at 770-993-6084, ext. 131 or email by using the link below.