Children’s Choir Program

Welcome

Welcome to St. Thomas’ resource page for our 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 one group, currently Kindergarten-5th grade, but that can be flexible as children grow.

Below, you will find our list of policies, general information about the group, and a specific schedule. Thanks!

Please communicate with me about anything relating to choir.

joel@stthomassv.org
208-720-1523 (call or text)

Let’s get ready to sing!

Policies

Location

All activities at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 201 Sun Valley Rd, Sun Valley, unless otherwise communicated.

Health Policy

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 7-Dec 24

Session B: Jan 7-Mar 8

Sessions C: Apr 1 – May 10

Students are expected to be at most of the rehearsals and services within each session.

Rehearsal days, times, rooms

Cherubs
- Wednesdays, 3:00-4:00, 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.
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 9:00. For our outdoor service for Blessing of the Animals, please come dressed for the weather. All other services will be inside, and we will be vested. Most folks prefer to wear light clothing under their vestments. If you come wearing a sweater, it will be more comfortable to take it off before donning the cassock and cotta.
Vestments. Find your vestments, put them on 9:00-9:10.
Music. Find your music and your seat for warmup.
Warm up. Warm up 9:10-9:20.
Go to your next location.
Go to your next location:
1. 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

We wear a cassock and cotta that matches the Adult Choir. It sets them apart as someone who has a special job for the church. Do you see anyone else wearing strange outfits?

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, rising 4th grade and up. For more information, go to rscmamerica.org.

Weekly Schedule

Cherubs

Cherubs are singers in Kindergarten – 5rd grade.

They rehearse weekly on Wednesdays, 3:00-4:00 p.m.
They sing in church about once a month. See schedule below.

Cherub Schedule