St. Paul United Methodist Church

Youth Choir

The St. Paul Youth Choir includes over 40 young people who are committed to great singing and worshiping God. This continually expanding choir is for those in middle school and high school, and includes both beginning and advanced singers. All youth are encouraged to join this outstanding group!

The youth choir participates in worship frequently, usually once or twice per month. They sing a variety of anthems, from classic to contemporary. The Youth Choir has toured various parts of the United States, as well as a recent tour to Toronto, Canada. Other previous trips include: New York, Florida, Washington D.C. and Chicago. This choir rehearses Sundays from 5 to 6 PM and is led by Jim Rittenhouse. For details, contact Jim at jimritt@gmail.com.

ST PAUL UMC YOUTH CHOIR 2011-12

Jim Rittenhouse, Director                                                Will Simpson, Accompanist
Assoc. Director of Music Ministries                                     Director of Music Ministries
(502) 645-2256 cell                                                                                (502) 459-1595 ext 18 church
(503) 899-5920 home                                                                                         wsimpson@stpaulchurch.net

jimitt@gmail.com

Welcome to Youth Choir!

We have an exciting year planned, and are eager to get every singer and their parents on board for all that God is leading us to do. What we do as a choir goes beyond simply leading our church in worship, or touring, or having a bunch of fun in the process. We believe Youth Choir is about hearing the call of God to minister with song, to reach out with our gifts to serve our neighbor, and to encourage one another on our journeys with Christ.

CHOIR GUIDING PRAYER:

God, take our minds and think through them;
God, take our lips and sing through them;
God, take our hearts and set them on fire,
Through Christ our Lord. Amen
     (William Sloane Coffin, adapted) 

SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES – PROCEDURES, ETC.

“CANTORUM” – For those interested in a bit more intensive choral experience, where reading skills will be challenged and special literature offered, we are forming an ensemble. Many of our singers are already involved in Chamber groups at school, so we will be making a lighter rehearsal schedule for this - just 30 minutes before some Sunday rehearsals. See the schedule for the dates we have so far. This will not be an auditioned choir – but attendance will be exceptionally important.

OCTOBER 23, 2011: YOUTH SUNDAY (tentative)  - Plans are being made for the youth to lead our congregation on Oct. 23. The entire Youth Choir will participate at 9am and 11am services. A smaller ensemble will lead worship at 8:30am (see below).

YOUTH CHOIR RETREAT (FULL DAY – OFF SITE)  - We are going to devote a Saturday to rehearsing, and to a workshop led by a clinician. Dates to be announced – if this is not done in the Fall, it will be done in the Winter time. Our prospective clinician is Alexis Paxton, Director of Choirs at Noe Middle School.

YOUTH CHOIR TOUR 2011: PROSPECTIVE DATES JUNE 9 – JUNE 13, 2012
One of the exciting ministries for the year is the Summer Choir Tour. This past year’s FUSION was an incredible mix of music and ministry, which will set the pattern for what we do each year. As many of you know, we will also be offering a Youth Mission Tour out of the country (details to be shared soon). In order to keep all affordable for choir members who might like to go on each trip, we will be looking for a regional location to tour. Part of the steering committee’s work will include some decisions about the areas where we will go and activities. We will gather in the Fall to begin work, and plans will be unveiled ahead of Thanksgiving. Stay tuned!

YOUTH CHOIR SCHEDULE FALL/ADVENT 2011 (REV. 9-3-11)
Please remember to call or text Jim at 645-2256, or email jimritt@gmail.com if you will be absent. (Please avoid FACEBOOK to contact me on the day of rehearsal.) Also, each singer is expected to be in the Choir Room at the appointed rehearsal time if they are in the building. Because we are responsible for you during these times, we expect that you are not wandering the building or elsewhere. A list of unreported absentees will be sent out each week after rehearsal to the parents of Choir members, if needed. Thanks! 

 “Job Description” for a Youth Choir Singer

Be here. If we are to communicate music for worship and do it to God’s glory, we need your consistent participation. We will have attendance requirements for participation on the Choir Tour in June. Your full-year attendance is important.

Be ready to sing. We will start at 5 pm. The choir room is always open ahead of time, so come early if you can! We have just one hour each week, and we want to make the most of it.

Be helpful by calling if you cannot attend. While we expect attendance at rehearsals and worship leadership times, we know that there will be conflicts, sicknesses, etc. You are encouraged to call Jim if you cannot be at rehearsal. (Parents are encouraged to allow the singer to call.) A student leader will be taking roll each rehearsal and worship time so we can monitor who needs to attend make-up rehearsals along the way (see schedule).

Be courteous to one another. We are all in this family together. Respect each other’s space, feelings, property, time, and worth. When someone else is asking a question, or when your leaders are speaking, please respect them enough to listen fully.

Be gum and candy free. Choking hazards are only the start of why this is important. If everyone had the gift of chewing on key and in perfect rhythm, we might not need to say this.

Be good stewards of music. The church has invested a lot in our Youth Choir and music ministries. Please treat your music as well as (or better than) you treat your cell phones, iPods, etc. This year we are each purchasing a protective folder for rehearsal and worship leadership. Youth Choir rehearsal is not over until each singer has placed his/her music back in the folder in the shelving units (even if we end in the sanctuary).

Be encouraged. As a member of the Youth Choir, you are setting an example for others, especially your younger members of the church. God will help all of ussing with hearts and our spirits. And we will have lots of fun along the way!