Children and Youth - and Music!

Dr. Karen Eshelman • October 1, 2022

As the St. James choir director, I have the pleasure of teaching music to students of all ages. That

is, while it is true that choir is about singing, it is also so much more. In choir, students learn

about music, about worship and teamwork, and (more importantly), they learn to live their faith

when they sing about it together! I invite you and your family to become a part of the music

ministry at St. James, and sign your elementary, middle, and high school youth up for choir.

These choirs (music classes!) are free. (The times posted below may be adjusted if necessary.)


Students in grades 2-5 join Children’s Choir, which is a beginning music activity class. The

students in this group learn to match pitch and sing simple songs from around the world. They

learn about rhythm, melody, and harmony, and they start to read music. Each student also has

their own workbook from the Royal School of Church Music choir curriculum.

  • Time: 3:15 – 4:00 PM, every Wednesday.


Older students join the Youth Choir, which is an intermediate music class for all young men and

young women in middle and high school. The structure for this choir is flexible and the meeting

time can be divided if necessary, depending on the ages of those who sign up. This group sings a

variety of choir music, including new and traditional hymns and spirituals. As often as possible

the Youth Choir joins the procession for the opening hymn (at 10:30) and is seated in the front

pews; occasionally they will also offer a special anthem. The youth choir continues in the series

of graded workbooks from the Royal School of Church Music.

  • Time: 5:15 – 6:15 PM, every Wednesday.


I encourage you and your family to take advantage of this opportunity, and I would love to talk

with you if you have questions about the choirs. Please call, email, or stop by the organ after

church.


Dr. Karen Eshelman