Children’s Choir meets during second hour on Sunday mornings (9:45-10:55 a.m.). This is a graded program during which first through sixth grade children participate in spiritual and musical activities that correlate with the songs they are learning.

During this school year, we will explore music, scripture memory and classroom activities centered around the church’s new “win, build, send” focus. Our desire is for the children to know and love God more when they leave each week than when they arrived!

Registration is scheduled to begin August 4 in preparation for rehearsals that begin August 24. Keep in mind this eagerly anticipated group is limited by room size and occasionally waiting lists have to be created. Choir meets each Sunday morning with the exception of one or two near Christmas and Easter Sunday. Click here to register.

For this program to be successful, we must have adequate volunteers—both musical and non-musical to lead while developing relationships with the children.  Check out specific job descriptions below. You may also contact Kelli Taggart (480.824.7326 or ktaggart@sbcaz.org) for more information or to volunteer.

Following is additional information about the program.

The Children’s Choir Meeting

During each meeting, the children participate in small group activities based upon current musical selections. These include spiritual education (Bible stories or Biblical references for current songs) and music education (basic note and rhythm reading). We also take time to help the children get to know each other.

In addition to spending time in small groups, children also work together as a large group to learn musical selections. These consist of hymns and choruses supporting our study of our great God.

Room Assignments

Please visit KidzCheck when you arrive on campus to confirm your child’s room assignment.

Performance Opportunities
As part of regular choir participation, children will occasionally be asked to lead worship in “Big Church” or take part in some form of “performance.” These performances often include participation in the adult choir/orchestra Christmas musical, Christmas Eve services and/or spring musical. Children are not required to participate in these events, however if they choose to, they must meet the attendance expectations outlined below to ensure adequate preparation.

Attendance Expectations
Most importantly, for children to gain the most benefit from their children’s choir experience, they should attend rehearsals regularly and promptly, whether or not there is an upcoming performance. In addition, while we do not plan to put a cap on registrations at this time, occasionally it becomes necessary because of oversized classes. If this occurs, more stringent attendance policies will be put into effect to allow children put on a waiting list equal opportunity to participate through the dismissal of children with poor attendance.

If a child is a regular attendee and wishes to participate in a worship leading or performance opportunity, he/she must:

• Be in attendance at three of the five rehearsals prior to the “performance” date, (more than 20 minutes tardy is considered absent), and
• Be attendance at the mandatory sound check/warm up the morning of the “performance”
  

A reminder will be sent home prior to the “performance” week covering the specific time and location for the sound check. As a courtesy, if your child chooses not to participate, please notify your child’s leader ahead of time.

These expectations are not designed to punish your child if he/she is unable to attend Children’s Choir regularly, but to ensure that he/she is adequately prepared and confident enough to lead worship.

Children’s Choir Leadership Roles
Our Children’s Choirs depend upon volunteers. Some have formal musical training of their own and others just love children and see the value of teaching children to worship through music.

The musical responsibilities within each choir include the Musical Director and the Accompanist. The Director is responsible for leading the large group rehearsal time. The accompanist is available to play the piano during the large group rehearsal and to lead a small group activity.

The activities and attendance coordinators fill non-musical roles. The activities coordinator prepares any necessary materials to be used by the small groups. The attendance coordinator distributes the attendance incentives, coordinates any phone calling that needs to occur, and leads a small group.

Other helpers lead small groups and help with “crowd control” and materials distribution throughout the meeting.

For more information contact Kelli Taggart, Director of AM Children’s Music and Arts at 480.824.7326 or ktaggart@sbcaz.org.