Children's/Youth Music Ministries

Children's/Youth Music Ministries

CHILDREN'S MUSIC

Music Makers - begins on Wed., Sept. 15^th – 3:30 pm [choir room]

This class is for 4 year olds and Kindergarten students. They meet on Wednesdays for half an hour, 3:30-4:00 pm in the choir room. Emphasis is on classroom structure, taking turns, following directions, control and, of course, singing lots of songs about Jesus! This age group focuses more on learning and skill development rather than performing. These delightful children sing in the Christmas Pageant and at the 10:30 service on Mother’s Day.

Children's Choir - begins on Sun., Sept. 12^th - 11:45 am [choir room]

This choir, for 1^st – 6^th* grade students, meets immediately following the 10:30AM service during the program/school year. This group sings in choir robes at the 10:30 service periodically throughout the year. Occasionally they participate in special services such as Maundy Thursday and Palm Sunday as well. We sometimes travel to other churches to sing in services, and sing jointly with the Children’s Choir from 1^st Church of Christ. Snacks are served at rehearsal every week and there are attendance prizes!

Celebration Ringers - begins on Wed., Sept. 8^th - 5:00 pm [choir room]
This group provides an introduction to ringing and reading music. It is for students, 3^rd – 6^th grades, who would like to learn ensemble playing and how to master ringing techniques. They meet on Wednesdays from 5:00 to 5:45 pm and play regularly throughout the year at the 10:30 service. They may even “take their show on the road”. We have played at Belden Forest and at the North Canton Community Methodist Church for a cluster celebration! Students can join Celebration Ringers any time during the year but are asked to make a commitment to attend all rehearsals (barring illness) so that the group can learn to play music together effectively. Come join the fun!

Instrumentalists

There are two different opportunities for children to share their talents instrumentally with the church. Accompaniment can be arranged with Mrs. Cowles.

1. The Pre-Pageant Recital is a hit every year! We most certainly want to do it again. The pageant is held in the Sanctuary so there is plenty of room for our instrumentalists and their families! Those students who are interested may put their names down during Pageant sign-ups, or add their names at any time during Pageant rehearsals. Holiday music is preferable but certainly not essential.

2. Every year, in May, we have a children’s talent show called, “Sour Note Kids”. Any and all talents are welcome – including our instrumentalists. (For more info see, “Sour Note Kids”)

Christmas Pageant - First practice is Sun., Nov. 8th - 11:45 am [sanctuary]

The annual Christmas Pageant is open to children ages 4 and up. This year’s pageant will be a traditional pageant, highlighting the events surrounding the birth of Jesus. Children will learn many traditional carols and there is a costume for everyone! A wonderful tradition at SUMC, please plan to attend and bring family and friends whether or not your child(ren) participate(s). Attendance at rehearsals is encouraged – not required.

Christmas Pageant: Sunday, December 13th at 4:00 pm – sanctuary

(Pre-Pageant Recital-3:30 pm)

Junior Vision Seekers - First practice is Tues., Jan. 4th, 5:30-730 pm [Wesley Hall]

Every other year at SUMC we produce a children’s musical. This is the year! This musical is open to all children in 1st – 6th grades. There are no auditions – anyone may join. We will meet for eight Tuesday nights beginning on Jan. 4th, with a dress rehearsal Fri., March 4 and the shows Sat., March 5 in Wesley Hall and Sunday March 6 (location TBA). At each rehearsal we rehearse, have dinner, then rehearse some more – sharing fellowship and fun all the while! Look for sign-ups during Pageant rehearsals on the Wesley Hall stage.

Sour Note Kids - Sun., May 8th - 11:45 am [Wesley Hall]

This is our annual kids talent show. All Children, up through 8th grade are encouraged to participate. Any and all talents are welcome! There will also be a pot-luck lunch, “Simply Super Salads Fellowship Lunch”. The lunch immediately follows the 10:30 service, then the show, then dessert! Look for sign-ups for both talent and salads on the kiosk in April 2011. (There may be one rehearsal the Sunday before for all participants to put together a “finale” for the show.)

Some ideas for acts: poetry recitation or joke telling, skits, dance routines, piano/instrumental solos, singing solos, videos of athletic feats!

YOUTH MUSIC

Youth Praise - Practice begins on Sun. Sept. 12^th 5:00-6:00 pm [choir room]

Youth Praise, a choir for 6^th-12^th grade students – (6^th grade students who wish to sing with this group MUST be in the SUMC Children’s Choir as well.) This group sings both contemporary music and choral anthems. They occasionally sing some songs with the CAYA Worship Team at the 9:00 contemporary service. They will sing two or three times in the fall/Advent, for Spaghetti Dinner, and for other services in the winter and spring. I look forward to seeing all of you there!

Wesley Ringers - Practice begins on Wed. Sept. 8^th 4:00-5:00 pm [choir room]

Wesley Ringers is a bell choir for students 6^th grade and up (and some adults) who have experience with either chimes or bells and have mastered various ringing techniques and ensemble playing. This group will be participates in a Bell Festival every year with other churches and schools in town. They also ring regularly in the 10:30 service. Students can join Wesley Ringers any time during the year but are asked to make a commitment to attend all rehearsals (barring illness) so that the group can learn to play music together effectively. Come join the fun!

Caroling
This annual (and very popular) event will take place on Sunday, December 19^th beginning at 1:00. Led by Jr. and Sr. MYF students, it is open to all church families as well. Students bring poinsettias (donated by the church) to some of our local shut-ins, elderly, special needs members and Belden Forest. Traditional carols are sung – words and music provided. This is a wonderful part of the holiday season and shows our members that they are remembered and loved!

Youth-Led Worship - Sunday, February 11, 2011

Each year our youth lead worship at the 9:00 and 10:30 services. It is a spirit-filled, energetic and meaningful experience. Our youth provide music as well as skits and readings.

Spaghetti Dinner - Saturday, March 19th, 2011 in Wesley Hall
This is an annual event to raise funds for summer work camp and for Jr. and Sr. MYF events. Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 19. There will be only a Spaghetti Dinner so get your tickets early! There will be a dress rehearsal on Friday, March 18, 4:00-6:00 pm. This is an opportunity to highlight the many talents of our youth…so, music, skits, MC-ing and other surprises await! It is most entertaining and not to be missed!

The CAYA Worship Team

Some of our children and youth participate in the CAYA Worship team. See that page for details.

Leadership: Dorothy S. Cowles,
Director of Children, Youth and Contemporary Music Ministries

Dorothy Cowles has a BM in piano performance and a BS in music education from Penn State, and a MMEd in early childhood music and choral conducting from Hartt School of Music. She taught jr. and sr. high music for seven years and has directed many musicals at both the Warner Theater in Torrington at the Ethel Walker School. While at Ethel Walker, she started a Bible study which grew to 30 members. Dorothy has also been Organist/Choir Director at the Middletown Methodist Church, ’88-’94; at St. Alban’s Episcopal church, ’99-/00; and was interim organist at SUMC, fall ’96 – spring ’97. This is Dorothy’s eleventh year at SUMC.For more information on any of these programs, contact Dorothy Cowles by calling the church office at (860) 651-3356 Ext. 225, or email her by clicking here.