Goals
Make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
Philippians 2: 2-4
- To use music as a vehicle to deepen students' relationship with and adoration of God.
- To teach music skills such as vocal technique, note-reading, following choral directions, understanding scales and harmony, musical interpretation, and sight singing.
- To develop musicianship of each member and teach appreciation of enriching, time-honored, artistic music, specifically classical and traditional sacred styles.
- To develop students' skill and understanding of music and worship in order to enhance their influence and involvement in their own churches.
- To develop the choral unit as a team which seeks to glorify God together, focusing on group goals and God-centeredness more than on personal fulfillment.
- To strive for excellence in performance.
- To seek opportunities to use music to bless and minister to others.
Who should join the choir?
Vocal training, development of basic music skills, and exposure to high-quality music should be a part of every student's education. Numerous studies indicate that students who study music are more creative, have improved reasoning and spatial skills, and perform better on tests of cognitive ability.
There is also the spiritual component involved when students are singing God-centered, inspiring texts which are filled with powerful Scriptural concepts. The head to heart connection is uniquely influenced by music; singing serves a special function in strengthening and influencing the singers' faith in and adoration of God.
Involvement in a high quality choral program can greatly enhance the music education of students who are currently learning music in other areas. Choral involvement is especially beneficial for students who are studying solo instruments, since group participation helps them to develop teamwork, to be focused on others, and to blend with other musicians. Instrumentalists who never have ensemble opportunities are definitely missing an important aspect of musicianship.
Choir participation can also be an excellent opportunity for basic music exposure for students who don't have any other music opportunities. All students, with rare exceptions, can learn to use their voices capably in a choir. Reluctant students will almost always end up appreciating and enjoying choir if they will rise to the challenge of trying something new and are given opportunities to overcome any prejudice they might have. Many students will be reluctant to try something they know nothing about, and if they are negative towards choir membership, it is because they are fearful of the unknown. Tuition will be refunded for students who attend for a month and decide not to continue. Some reluctant students need at least a full session, sometimes a full year, to begin to use their voices effectively and to work through the challenges of singing, especially if they are older and have had little or no previous vocal training.
