Focus On: Chapel Choir

By Kenneth Martin

This month our music focus is on the Chapel Choir, which is one of our two graded choirs for children (the other being the Carol Choir for children from age five through grade one, which is directed by Vanessa Mueller and Elizabeth Bowen).

Chapel Choir includes children in grades two through five. These children are becoming proficient readers of text, so this is an ideal time to learn to read music as well. During these years, children have strong, clear, beautiful voices (consider that the great children’s choirs, such as the Vienna Boys Choir and the Obernkirchen Children’s Choir, are built on this age group). We have to be careful to teach children good singing habits and especially not to “force” their voices. Fortunately, we have a highly qualified leader for this crucial age group in Dr. Donna Whited, our Acting Organist and Chapel Choir Director.

Donna has built up the membership of this group to seven, and they have sung in worship several times, including once in an Encounter service as well as for Palm Sunday. In their rehearsals, they also work with rhythm instruments and Orff instruments to improve their musicality.

Chapel Choir will be singing at least once after Easter this spring, so it is not too late for new children to join! Their rehearsals are Sunday afternoons from 4:30 to 5:15 p.m.

Chapel Choir children and their families are invited to stay for the fellowship supper (for a nominal fee) after rehearsal each Sunday. For more information about Chapel Choir, contact Donna Whited through the church office .

Abendmusik

The 2008 Abendmusik celebration will be Sunday, April 20 at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary. The Sanctuary Choir will present selected choruses (no solos) from Parts II and III of Messiah by George Frederick Handel. These are the “other” parts of this great oratorio that we normally do not hear at Christmas time! Yes, the “Hallelujah Chorus” will be in there, since it properly comes at the end of Part II. But there are other great choruses such as “Surely He Hath Born Our Griefs,” “Lift Up Your Heads,” and “Worthy Is the Lamb.” And it all ends with a truly magnificent “Amen”!

Accompaniment will be provided by our Acting Organist, Dr. Donna Whited, and a Chamber Orchestra of professional musicians. Plan now to join us for this marvelous evening of sacred music – and invite some friends to come with you!