Westside Presbyterian Church

Music and the Arts

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Choristers Training

Choristers Training

Choir Recognition Sunday will be on Sunday, May 2nd. It will be the last singing Sunday for our Children's and Youth choirs, with the exception of the Senior High Choir, which will also sing on Senior Sunday, June 13th.


Choristers in grades 4-8 participate in the Choristers Training Program, based on the merit system of the Royal School of Church Music in America. Building on the experience of their earlier years, our choristers develop more complex skills to enable them to undertake leadership in worship, deepen their understanding of scripture, and build confidence and expertise in music. As they complete the requirements for successive levels, they earn the unique West Side Choristers' Medal, symbolizing their commitment and increasing musical skills.


Wednesday Afternoon Experience in Music

The Carol Choir, boys and girls, grades 2-3
Meets on Wednesdays, 3:45-4:45 p.m.

This is the first choir in the graded program with regular responsibility for worship. Training emphasizes concepts to be developed in the merit program in use in the upper choirs. The Carol Choir sings at 4:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve at the Service of Lessons & Carols and follows the Sunday Schedule for the Children's Choirs.

Cantate Choir,
boys and girls, Kindergarten-grade 1

Meets on Wednesdays, 3:45-4:30 p.m.

The fundamentals of music are taught in an atmosphere of joy. This choir sings on Choir Recognition Sunday, May 10.

/files/Images/_DSC5674b.jpgJoy Singers,
boys and girls, 4 years old by
October 1
Meets on Wednesdays, 3:45-4:15 p.m.

Preschoolers explore God's gift of music through dance, singing, rhythm instruments, and games. Carol Hollen, former music educator in the Ramsey school system, is leader of the group.



Choir Parents

The Music Ministry relies heavily on a host of volunteers. Some parents attend children's choir rehearsals each week to handle rehearsal details and help as the children learn. Others assist in a variety of ways when the choirs sing in worship. Parental involvement helps the choristers to know that "being about God's work" is a priority in the life of the entire family.