Every Thursday evening from September to May, a dedicated team of volunteers gathers to provide a one-of-a-kind ministry at St. John the Evangelist in Hamilton.
Chairs are set up; posters of music and prayers are hung on the walls; and stickers and a special snack are arranged for the children to take home. Soon, the children arrive, ranging in age from four to 12, each one wearing the red T-shirt featuring the slogan “My Soul Sings” that acts as the choir’s uniform. For the next 45 minutes, the children sing, laugh, learn, play, and grow – all at no cost to them.
The St. John’s Children’s Choir is truly a community-based choir. It offers free choral training to everyone in our community, using music to teach children about faith. Currently, the choir draws children from three different faith traditions, as well as families without church connections. Anyone, regardless of musical education or faith background, is welcome.
The choir is directed by Susan McKay, a lifelong parishioner at St. John’s and a retired elementary school music teacher. Under Susan’s direction, the children sing a variety of styles of music, as well as receive training in theory, ear training, solfege, and performance skills. Several times a year, the children are invited to share their music at the Sunday service. The children also perform in “mini concerts” held throughout the year, offered during the regular Thursday rehearsal time – ensuring that time and travel commitments are kept to a minimum for busy families.
The impact of this ministry is profound. Recently, a seven-year-old chorister named Andy created a poster to help publicize the choir that captures how much the children value their choir experience. The poster shared various aspects of the choir routine: The Chorister’s Prayer, the Evening Collect, the choir performing, and the choir selling cookies and lemonade at our annual fundraiser. Andy, who took on this project completely on his own initiative, proudly shared that his poster took three hours to make. His pride in his work, both at choir and in his art project, is a testament to the deep connection that both the children and volunteers have to this ministry.
As to the listeners, not only are their hearts touched by the children singing, but the choir see the impact of their music through the smiles and – yes, sometimes – tears of their audience.
The St. John’s Children’s Choir is happy to accept new members each January and September – no audition necessary. If you have any questions, please direct them to Susan McKay at [email protected]. Additional information is available on our website at rockonlocke.ca under Worship.
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