Friday, August 5, 2011

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

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