The St. Paul’s, Ivy Youth Choir is open to all children ages eight and up (grades 3-12). High school students are very welcome, but might find the adult choir more challenging. Those interested in the adult choir should contact Alice Layman. Children must be able to read text well on their own and sit still for 20-30 minutes. Children must be able to attend most rehearsals and most performances.

Rehearsals are on Sundays, immediately following the 10:30 a.m. service in the downstairs choir room. Children will be expected in the downstairs choir room as soon as possible after the service ends (they may pick up a snack at Coffee Hour and bring it to eat after choir practice). Rehearsals will last about 30 minutes. Some Sunday rehearsals will be for section leaders only. Extra practices may be scheduled occasionally.

Generally, the Youth Choir performs in church on Youth Sunday, which is the fourth Sunday of each month. They also sing on special occasions, such as the Festival of Lights, Palm Sunday, Easter and at the Christmas Pageant and early Christmas Eve services. A calendar with rehearsal dates, performance dates and music is provided to all choir members.

Every Sunday, youth choir members may put on choir vestments and process with the adult choir if desired.  Older singers sit in the choir loft throughout the service while younger singers will return to the choir room to remove vestments, then return to the church to sit with their parents. On Youth Sundays, all choir members will vest, process and stay in the choir loft throughout the full service. Youth Choir members should not be scheduled as acolytes, ushers, nursery helpers or treasure kid helpers on Youth Sundays or other days when the Youth Choir performs, although they may act as lay readers.

Not only does the Youth Choir have fun making music, we have fun in other ways. Pizza parties, bowling or ice skating and an Easter party are a regular part of the Youth Choir calendar. We will participate in a special service project for our Outreach families too. Choir members also receive special recognitions as part of their service to the St. Paul’s, Ivy family.

If your child is interested in participating in the Youth Choir, contact the church office or Debbie Weaver, Youth Choir Director. Registration forms for all new and returning choir members will be available August 2008.  Our first section leaders’ rehearsal of the new school year will be on August 24 following the 10:30 a.m. service with a full choir rehearsal the following Sunday.