By Debbie Garven, Music Associate
Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
-Psalm 47:6
Did you know that we have a Chorister Program at St. Peter’s? You may have seen some of our young choristers on Palm Sunday processing in their red robes and cottas. What do they do? They sing! The choristers’ primary purpose is to learn how to skillfully sing for God's glory, an opportunity that allows them to carry out God’s command to sing.
We are called to sing, scripture supports this, but there are also many “fringe” benefits.
Singing helps us memorize scripture and the great truths of our faith. I admit that I still sing the “thirty days hath September” song when I try to remember the number of days in May! With St. Peter’s using music throughout the liturgy, I’m sure most of you could sing the Sanctus or Gloria with little assistance.
So singing helps us memorize, but it also helps us emotionally engage with the words we recite. When we sing “O Sacred Head Now Wounded” during Lent, the words and music work together to share the sorrow and great joy of Christ's crucifixion. When we return to singing the “Gloria” after the long weeks of Lent, does it not fill you with great gladness?
Our chorister program is designed to teach the children to sing, (a command), but not only does it allow our children to memorize great truths and emotionally connect to them, but it also allows them an opportunity to serve the church body. One parent says: “Choristers is a way for my children to participate in the liturgy before they are old enough to acolyte. It gives them a chance to start serving at an early age, weaving them into the fabric of the Church.”
The choristers’ primary service is Evensong, with our youth choristers leading about once per month. This service takes place at 5:00 pm and is a sung service of Evening Prayer. It has been a tremendous opportunity for them to learn more music of the church as they help lead in worship.
Our season has finished for the summer but will resume with our chorister camp the week of July 25th. This is considered our pre-season camp and is open to, and expected, of all who will be participating in the chorister program in the fall. This is a 4-hour camp that involves singing, games, and other creative outlets as we begin learning the music for the fall season and bonding together as a choir. At the conclusion of the camp, the choristers will lead a service of Evensong. In addition, our choristers age 2nd grade and up will be our choir for morning worship on Sunday, July 31st. It’s sure to be a treat and you don't want to miss it!
Rehearsals in the fall resume on Wednesday, Aug. 17th with PreK-5th meeting at 4pm and 6th grade and up meeting at 5pm. If you are interested in our program, please contact me at DebGarven@gmail.com. We’d love to include you in our chorister family!