Our Lady of the Presentation Choristers

Introduction
OLP Choristers is a successful Children's Music Program composed of Parish School children that continues to grow and bless the Our Lady of the Presentation Parish Community.  As the children advance in age and skill, they are transitioned from Elementary School Choristers to Middle School Choristers and finally to any of the several Parish Choral groups.  OLP Choristers receive singing and musical instruction they are able to carry with them for the rest of their lives.

What is Choristers?
"Choristers" is a long standing choral tradition in the Roman Catholic and Anglican Churches. Choristers simply put are a children’s choir.
Typically, Choristers is made up of children who have the gift of singing and are trained to excel in the musical art of song for the purpose of worship.
 
Rehearsals
Rehearsal times are as follows:
Tuesday -        7:15am-7:45am - Middle School
Tuesday -        3:00pm-4:15pm - Elementary School
Wednesday -  7:15am-7:45am - Middle School

Purpose
To train young singers to use their natural and spiritual gifts as cantors and choir members for the worship of God.
 
Training
Having the gift to sing is the starting point for any singer. Singers will learn musical and vocal skills necessary to serve as a Cantor and Chorister.

• Teaching the fundamentals of singing – breath control, vocal, exercises, diction (enunciation and pronunciation), phonating vocal sounds, ear training (aural learning), and projecting sound
• Teaching the basics of reading music – note & rest values, dynamic markings, tempo markings, music markings
• Teaching Cantor skills – introducing hymns, leading Responsorial Psalms and Mass Acclamations
• Teaching the importance of singing in the Liturgy
• Sensitivity will be given to the changing voice.

• Understanding the reasons for the various Liturgical Seasons of the Church.
• Learning the Biblical stories and understanding God’s plan for our Salvation.
• Hymnology – learning hymn structures, textual meter, names of hymn tunes.

Cantors
Cantors are selected from the singers who demonstrate the skill level needed to lead the Assembly. First time Cantors are paired with a skilled Cantor.
 
Apprentice
Singers in the third grade will be learning all of the basic skills to be a Cantor in their first year; however, a singer does not have to be Cantor.
 
Age Range
Choristers is open to children in the Third through Eighth grades who have the ability to sing.  We may add Second graders after Spring Break depending on room in the choir area.

Attendance
OLP Choristers uses a team model regarding practices and follows the policies established by the OLP School Board and Diocese of KC-St. Joseph regarding extra-curricular activities. Singers must attend regular rehearsals to be eligible to Cantor.  Missed rehearsals will result in missed opportunities to Cantor.  Weekend liturgies and special concerts are mandatory.

For more information, please contact James Wagner, Director of Liturgy & Music, at 816-251-1110 or  [email protected].