Welcome
Welcome to St. Thomas’ resource page for our RSCM Children’s Choir Program! We think teaching children to sing in church is valuable for children – they learn musicianship, singing techniques, and the music of the church. It is also valuable for the church as a whole – the congregation gets to hear and appreciate the gifts that children can bring to worship. And we believe that when those things are together, God is praised, and we are strengthened in God’s love.
We have two groups – the Cherub Choir, for K-3rd graders, and the Chorister Choir, for 4th-up.
Below, you will find our list of policies, general information about each group, and a specific schedule. Thanks!
Please communicate with me about anything relating to choir.
- [email protected]
- 208-720-1523 (call or text)
- Facebook Messenger
- Smoke signal
Let’s get ready to sing!
(Scroll down for lots more info)

Policies
Location
All activities at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 201 Sun Valley Rd, Sun Valley, unless otherwise communicated.
Health Policy
We understand that COVID will be with us for awhile. Please follow CDC guidelines and wear a mask indoors when community spread is at a high level. You are strongly encouraged to get a vaccine if/when you are eligible. If a student is sick, for any reason, please keep them home.
Attendance expectations
This year, choir will be conducted in three sessions:
Session A: Sept 4-Dec 24
Session B: Jan 4-Mar 12
Sessions C: Apr 2-May 21
Students are expected to be at most of the rehearsals and services within each session.
Rehearsal days, times, rooms
- Cherubs
- Wednesdays, 3:00-3:45, in the Parish Hall
- Choristers (choose one or both)
- Sundays, 10:45-11:45, in the Choir Loft
- Wednesdays, 4:00-5:30 p.m., in the Parish Hall
Procedure if you have to be gone
Please communicate with me. Let me know your plans, and I will write down when you plan to be away, and/or which rehearsal you plan to come to. My contact information is above.
What happens in a rehearsal?
- Warmup. We warm up relevant singing muscles, practice good posture, full breaths, and good vocal technique.
- Music for the next service. The Cherubs are expected to sing one or two songs in the next service. The Choristers are expected to lead all the vocal music in a service, which includes hymns, service music, psalm, one anthem with the adult choir, and one anthem by themselves.
- Workbook activity. The Choristers and Cherubs work through “A Young Singer’s Journey” at their own pace. This is a curriculum of graded workbooks that teach about vocal technique, musicianship, and sight singing.
- Snack. Either parents or the church provides a snack at the end of each rehearsal.
What happens at a service?
- Call time. For a Sunday morning service, this is usually 8:50. Come wearing nice clothes.
- Vestments. Find your vestments, put them on.
- Music. Find your music and your seat for warmup.
- Warm up. Warm up with the adult choir 9:00-9:15.
- Warm up #2. Warm up just kids 9:15-9:20.
- Go to your next location.
- Choristers – Go to the narthex with the adult choir. Use the restroom if necessary, head upstairs to the narthex. Follow the cross into the church during the procession.
- Cherubs – Go where you are directed by the director or your parents. Sunday School or sanctuary.
- Sing. Sing the service.
- You’re done! Enjoy coffee hour or head home!
Vestments
Cherubs
Cherubs will be given a blue polo shirt to wear during the service. It sets them apart as someone who has a special job for the church. Do you see anyone else wearing strange outfits?
Choristers
Choristers will be given cassocks and cottas to wear during the service. It also sets them apart as someone who has a special job for the church. It matches the outfits that the adult singers wear. Can you find someone wearing an alb? How about a stole? A chasuble?
Volunteers needed
There are two ways to volunteer.
- Room monitor. I am the only staff person in charge of this program, so having another adult in the room for our rehearsals is important for Safeguarding.
- Snack donation. Donating snacks helps defray the cost of the program, and is a great help.
Summer Camp
St. Thomas is affiliated with the Royal School of Church Music. They are an organization, based in the U.K. but with chapters worldwide, that exists to promote choral music in the church for all ages. They sponsor a series of camps that I strongly encourage choristers to go to. The list of camps will be publicized in the winter. If necessary, there are scholarship funds available from St. Thomas and from the Diocese of Idaho, up to ⅔ of the cost. This camp is an exceptional mountaintop experience for all singers. For more information, go to rscmamerica.org.
Weekly Schedule
Cherubs
Cherubs are singers in Kindergarten – 3rd grade.
They rehearse weekly on Wednesdays, 3:00-3:45 p.m.
They sing in church about once a month. See schedule below.
Choristers
Choristers are singers in 4th grade – up.
They rehearse weekly on either Sundays, 10:45-11:45, OR Wednesdays 4:00-5:30 p.m. (Or both!)
They sing in church most Sundays during their sessions. See schedule below.
Cherub Schedule
SESSION A: Sept 7 – Dec 24
Rehearsals begin Sept 7, 3:00-3:45
Sing in church:
Oct 2
Oct 16
Nov 6
Dec 4
Dec 24 2:00 and 4:00
No rehearsal:
Nov 23
SESSION B: Jan 4 – Mar 8
Rehearsals Jan 4 – Mar 8
Sing in church:
Jan 22
Feb 12
Mar 5
SESSION C: Apr 5 – May 21
Rehearsals begin Apr 5
Sing in church:
Apr 9
Apr 30
May 21
FINAL SERVICE: May 21, Choir Recognition Sunday
Chorister Schedule
SESSION A: SEPT 4 – DEC 24
September
Rehearsals begin Sept 4 and Sept 7
Services begin Sept 11
Sunday morning services:
Sept 11, 18
Oct 2 9, 16, 23
Nov 6, 13
Dec 4, 11
Special services:
Oct 30, 4:00 Pirate Eucharist (dress up!)
Dec 24, 2:00 and 4:00 Christmas Eve services
No rehearsal/service:
Sep 25
Oct 30 a.m.
Nov 20, 23, 27
Dec 18
SESSION B: Jan 4 – Mar 12
Rehearsals begin Jan 4
Services begin Jan 8
Sunday morning services:
Jan 8, 15, 22, 29
Feb 5, 12, 26
Mar 5, 12
Special event:
Feb 21, 5:30 Fat Tuesday
No rehearsal/service:
Feb 19
SESSION C: Apr 2 – May 21
Rehearsals begin Apr 2
Services begin Apr 2
Sunday morning services:
Apr 2, 9, 23, 30
May 7, 14, 21
Special service:
Apr 6, 6:30 p.m. Maundy Thursday
No rehearsal/service:
Apr 16
FINAL SERVICE: May 21, Choir recognition Sunday