Bethany Church Kids' Choir 2011-2012

rehearsals

We meet every Wednesday beginning the 2nd week of school and continue through the middle of May. We meet from 6:30-7:00PM in the Sanctuary.

performances

We sing on the 3rd Sunday of each month at the 11:00 service and we also sing at the 7:00 p.m. Christmas Eve service each year. On the mornings that we sing, I will meet the children in the Choir Room at 10:30 a.m. to line up and go over the song one last time! We then proceed to the sanctuary together and sit in the front row until we sing (usually right after the Praise Band).

After you drop off your children at the Choir Room you may proceed to the worship service if you would like. I will oversee the kids and walk with them to the sanctuary. However, I could use one or two parent volunteers to meet us at 10:45 on these mornings to help me walk all of the children down to the sanctuary and also to sit with the children during the opening worship time so that I am still able to help lead worship as well. If you would be willing to help me out with this I would greatly appreciate it! Please contact me to let me know!

Also, if you would like to stay with us and help in that process, or your child would just like you to stay with them, you are more than welcome to do so. I understand that not everyone can be at all rehearsals or performances for that matter, however, I greatly appreciate your effort in getting your children there whenever possible!

solos

One of the opportunities we've offered the past few years is for any of the children who are interested to do a small solo in one of our songs throughout the year. This is completely voluntary – if your child does not want to do this, I will not make them. However, it is a fun (and hopefully not too intimidating) way for your kids to try out singing by themselves in public with a very supportive audience! I will try my very best to be fair with all of the children. Solos are not given out based on any child's talent. I will leave that to other groups in other places as your child gets older. My main desire and purpose is to let every one of them, whatever stage they are at and whatever talent they have been given, to learn that it is a beautiful thing to praise God with what He has given them. Scripture teaches that we are to make a joyful noise to our Lord. I believe it is more beautiful to God to see a child's heart praise Him than all the beautiful music in the world!

I love music and I believe it is a great gift from God meant to be given back to Him in praise and worship! I have a passion for teaching children to use their voices for fun and enjoyment, but most of all for praise to their Creator! Thank you for giving me the opportunity to work with your children. It is an honor.

important dates

There are a few dates throughout the year which we will NOT have rehearsal. The dates are as follows:

• November 23 (Thanksgiving week)
• December 21 & 28 (Christmas holiday)
• February 22 (Ash Wednesday)
• April 4 (Holy Week)

Also please remember that all Children's Ministries at Bethany Church including Kids' Choir and Cherub Choir follow the East Penn School District for winter weather closings. If East Penn is closed or dismissed early for snow or storms, Kids' Choir WILL be canceled!

snacks

The children earn points at rehearsal for good behavior and good singing and bringing friends, etc. Once they reach 15 points (usually happens about once a month or so), I hand out a treat for them at the end of rehearsal. The treat is something they can take with them like a snack size candy bar, smarties or a lollipop. They take it as they leave since we do not have time or a place to sit and have a snack as they may have been accustomed to in Cherub Choir. I usually supply the snack, however I did have a sign-up sheet out the first few weeks of choir for anyone who would be willing to help me by bringing a snack throughout the year. I did have several people sign-up.

The way this works is that if the kids have gotten their 15 points or are so close that I'm sure they'll get it at the next rehearsal, I will call one of the volunteers on the sign-up sheet and see if you'd be able to bring the snack that week. If it's not a good week for you - just say no, it's no problem! I will find another volunteer or bring the snack myself. If you are bringing snack please make sure it's something I can hand out - as they will not be able to sit down and eat. Also please bring enough for 30 kids as our attendance is different each week. We tend to have about 20-30 kids. I would hate to run out if we happen to have a lot of singers that night! 30 should be enough that we don't have that problem. Thanks so much!

If you have ANY questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. Also, if your child is proficient at any instrument and would like the opportunity to play along with one of our songs, please speak with me about it. I cannot promise that I can make it happen, but I will do my best to give them an opportunity to use these skills in music as well! I'm looking forward to a great year!

Blessings,
Joy Hoover

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