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?

1. Warmup. We warm up relevant singing muscles, practice good posture, full breaths, and good vocal technique.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Snack. Either parents or the church provides a snack at the end of each rehearsal.

What happens at a service?

1. Call time. For a Sunday morning service, this is usually 8:50. Come wearing nice clothes.
2. Vestments. Find your vestments, put them on.
3. Music. Find your music and your seat for warmup.
4. Warm up. Warm up with the adult choir 9:00-9:15.
5. Warm up #2. Warm up just kids 9:15-9:20.
6. Go to your next location.
   1. 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.
   2. Cherubs – Go where you are directed by the director or your parents. Sunday School or sanctuary.
7. Sing. Sing the service.
8. 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. 

1. 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.
2. 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.

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.

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

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