Children's Choir!

The fall Children's Choir schedule is out!

First UMC
Children’s Music Ministry
Fall 2010

It’s hard to believe that the first day of school is just around the corner. As you plan activities for your children and youth for the coming school year, be sure to take a look at what we have to offer through our Music Ministry for children here at First UMC. At First UMC we are committed to providing the highest quality sacred
music education that we possibly can. Our programs include choirs for students in grades 1-6 as well as instruction in handbells and the use of Orff instruments. Registration will take place in the Gathering Hall between services on August 1 and August 8 or you can register online at 1stumc.org. While there are certainly plenty of activities for parents to choose from, there is nowhere else that you can find the combination of high quality music instruction and spiritual development that we offer at church. While our schools certainly do a great job with music education, there is nowhere other than church where our children and youth can be taught and trained to use their musical gifts to glorify God through service to the church.

Participation in our Music Ministry also provides:
 a vehicle for learning stewardship of time and talents. Learning to be a worship leader as a part of a handbell ensemble or choir gives our children an opportunity to give back to the church that has nurtured and developed them.
 an opportunity to develop leadership skills, poise and confidence as they learn to lead in worship.
 a musical outlet for students who don’t otherwise have time for it due to the demands of school and extracurricular activities. Upcoming events for our children include:
 Regular worship participation by all ensembles
 Participation by our upper elementary students in our Christmas Concert along with our Chancel Choir and professional orchestra on December 11
 A Christmas Musical for children on December 12
 A spring Children’s Choir festival (combined with children’s choirs from all over central and northern Kentucky area)

First UMC
Children’s Music Ministry
Fall, 2010

First Chimers and Celebration Ringers (grades 3-6)
Sundays, 4:00 – 4:45 in Rooms 6 and 11
Directors – Lisa Hall and Cindy Higgins
All of our children’s handbell and chime groups meet at the same time on Sunday afternoons allowing students to be placed in the group that best suits their developmental level. No previous musical experience is required.

Wesley Choir (grades 1-3)
Sundays, 4:45 – 5:30 p.m. in Room 201/203
Director – Lauren Collins
At this age, children are ready to begin a regular pattern of participating as a choir in worship, which they will do every six to eight weeks. The musical focus is on finding the true singing voice, increasing the singing and learning to match pitch. Music literacy readiness activities based on manipulative games create an enthusiasm for future musical growth. As the year progresses, musical skills are expanded upon, with beginning emphasis on transferring rudimentary notation to the written page. Time is also given to improvisation with the Orff instruments, movement exploration and the use of hand signals as a means of learning to sight sing.

Celebration Singers (grades 4-6)
Sundays, 4:45 – 5:30 p.m. in Room 208/209
Directors – Lisa Hall and Kevin Holland
More intensive vocal challenges and worship responsibilities are introduced at this age level. They sing in worship every four to six weeks. Increased emphasis is placed on the learning of musical terminology and literacy development with the goal being usable sight singing skills. The voice is ready for more challenging repertoire and the ear is ready for some part singing. Work with the Orff instruments and the use of hand signals is continued.

Registration for all children’s musical ensembles will take place in the Gathering Hall between services on Sunday August 1 and August 8 or you may download a printable registration form at www.1stumc.org.

All children’s musical activities begin on Sunday, August 15.