A Timaru church is singing out for more young voices to join its children’s choir.
The St Mary’s Children’s Choir (junior choir) has been running for the last four years.
It meets once a week during school term time and joins the congregation for one service per month as well as performing for any other church events.
Church director of music Catherine Anderson said the choir was open to children aged 7 and above.
‘‘It’s free to join, there’s no auditions, so it’s fully inclusive.
‘‘No previous experience of singing is required, whether solo or in a choir and all tuition is provided within the rehearsal.
‘‘We’re currently at 15 members, we have had up to about 20, so that’s what I’m looking to achieve again.’’
As well as rehearsing for the church services there was also the opportunity for children to learn how to read music, sing in harmony and work towards achieving Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) awards, she said.
‘‘It’s a scheme that teaches young people the skills of singing in a choir.
‘‘It’s like watching the conductor, breathing techniques, music reading, that kind of thing.
‘‘There’s different levels, so as they achieve each level, they get a different colour medal to wear.
‘‘It’s a fully robed choir as well, just like the adult choir and they often get to sing together which gives that difference experience of singing in a four-part harmony choir.’’
The choir performed at rest homes on occasion and also learnt some non-religious music, Mrs Anderson said.
Singing as part of a choir was a beneficial experience for children.
‘‘It’s not only a way to make friends with other like-minded children that they may not come across otherwise, but it instills discipline and good listening techniques, not just to me but to themselves and to others.
‘‘It also helps them learn timing and tuning and the importance of belonging to a whole and working towards a common goal, which sets up skills for life in all sorts of areas.’’
Anyone wanting to learn more or express interest in joining can do so by emailing [email protected] or by calling the St Mary’s Church office on (03) 688-8377.
