First Joyful Voices rehearsal on August 31

"He who sings prays twice." St. Augustine

Joyful Voices begins its fifth year at Grace this fall, welcoming singers from grades 1-6. Our first rehearsal is on Wednesday, August 31, at 6:00 p.m. We're expanding the age range of the choir this year to include fifth and sixth graders, so that choristers already in the group can continue to sing with us and so that more children can be a part of the choir. Children from the community as well as Grace families are welcome to sing with us.

A child's singing voice is a precious gift from God. Young children sing spontaneously, sing with joy and with thoughtfulness, for fun and to express their unique thoughts and feelings. Piano lessons, violin lessons, and learning other instruments also shape musical skills, but there's no experience of music that is as immediate and as simple as singing.

Grace's Joyful Voices choir nurtures children's singing and musical abilities hand in hand with nurturing their faith. Our rehearsals are a special time in a child's week, to gather at church with fellow young Christians and sing and talk about the God who loves and cares for us. Singing for worship gives children a unique leadership experience, one in which the gifts of music they bring to the congregation are every bit as welcome as the work of adults. Singing also helps children connect emotionally with their faith, a connection they will cherish into adulthood. And singing church music helps children develop good vocal technique and a solid understanding of musical form and expression.

Joyful Voices rehearses once a week, on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 p.m. Grace. The group sings for worship approximately once a month. I'm hoping to add one or more field trips or special events to our schedule this year. You can see the schedule on the Joyful Voices blog: joyfulvoicesgraceriverforest.blogspot.com.

If you have questions, please contact me. Or just come to the first rehearsal!

Gwen Gotsch
Joyful Voices director
ggotsch@graceriverforest.org
708-366-6900, ext. 122

September 2010

Joyful Voices is for singers in grades 1-4. Everyone is welcome. You don’t have to be a member of Grace Church or a student at Grace School to sing in the choir.

What we're doing in choir
During September we will be learning music to sing in worship on October 3. Learning to sing and preparing music for worship services is only part of what we do in choir. Choir singers practice reading words as well as notes, they listen, follow directions, and learn how to work as a group. We talk about the words we’re singing and how the words and music work together to help us know and understand God.

Something new
During November we are going to share two performances with the 304 choir of Grace School. This will give us a chance to experience what it's like to be part of a bigger choir.

We, the Children, Lifted Our Voices

Good job, Joyful Voices singers!

Thank you for learning your words, watching the director, and singing out so beautifully yesterday morning at the 8:30 worship service. Thank you for wearing white and black and looking like a choir. Your singing helped others worship and experience how God's love
"adorns us with glory and honor."

See you on Wednesday. There are new songs to learn!

First rehearsal!

Our Joyful Voices choir begins rehearsals on Wednesday, September 2, at 6:00 p.m. in the music room at Grace. Children in grades 1 to 4 are welcome to come and join the choir!

The director of Joyful Voices is Ms. Gwen Gotsch, who also directs the junior high choir at Grace School and teaches music in kindergarten and preschool.

During rehearsals children learn music to sing in Sunday morning worship services at Grace. They also work on musical skills, such as rhythm, note-reading, listening, and vocal technique. Rehearsals include games, movement, serious singing, and discussions about worship, scripture, and the texts we sing.

A schedule for the year is posted at right. If you have questions, email Ms. Gotsch at ggotsch@graceriverforest.org.