St. Mary School Liturgical Choir

St. Mary School Children’s Choir
Autumn 2011

Come join the Children’s Choir! This is a great time for new members to sign up. We will continue to learn about, and experience our Catholic faith, namely the mass. Choir is not for show. It is about praising God, and helping the assembly to participate more fully, as we help them toward their own maximal participation. Choir is a wonderful ministry and service.

At masses, we have four groups (e.g. Choristers, Cherubs, etc.) which combine to form the Children’s Choir—our umbrella term—which sings every two weeks at the Saturday masses. (We also sing at a Sunday mass once a semester.) Throughout the year, we also perform various concerts, some off-campus, some in church. Last year we had a total of 27 events!

My expectations for each child are that they will maintain good attendance and demonstrate an eagerness for singing to God. Whenever an absence is unavoidable, parents must communicate with me directly, by phone, email or a note left in my mailbox at the church-office. It is not enough for your child to give such critical information. I need it from *you*.

Rehearsal schedules are divided according to grade. The Teen Choir (gr. 5-8) practices Mondays, right after school, ending at 3:30. Note: all student-cantors are also welcome on Mondays. The Cherubs Choir (K and gr. 1) rehearses Tuesdays from 2:30 to 3:15. I escort them, both before and after practice. Note: the 1st graders start September 6th. Kindergarten starts later, joining October 4th. The Choristers Choir (gr.2-5) practices Thursdays from 2:30-3:15. Note: 5th graders may choose between Mondays and Thursdays. R.E. Choir practices Thursdays from 3:20-4:00. After practices, I supervise all children being picked up, (unless they go to LEAD). Please pick up in front of church on Herrick, NOT the side or rear lots. Fridays are reserved for rehearsals with instrumentalists or cantor-training for beginners. [Note: students may go to any rehearsal regardless of grade if their schedule necessitates.]

On the reverse is our Mass schedule as well as a permission form. Rehearsals begin this week, September 6th, with Cherubs (1st graders, only) on Tuesday, and Choristers on Thursday. Feel free to begin a week or two later, if necessary. Permission forms—properly signed—are due at your first rehearsal, with latest forms due by the end of the month.
Please, feel free to contact me with any questions, or to simply get better acquainted.

Peace,

William Coble, Music Director
Church Office at 126 Herrick St., 708-447-1020; email: coble@uchicago.edu








Children’s Choir schedule
St. Mary Church – Autumn 2011

September 5-9, Rehearsals as regularly scheduled
September 10 (Saturday) - 5:00 Parish Mass. Call is 4:30 in the sacristy
September 12-16, Rehearsals as regularly scheduled
September 14 (Wednesday) – 9:30AM All-School Mass (Exultation Holy Cross)
September 19-23, Rehearsals as regularly scheduled
September 24 (Saturday) - 5:00 Parish Mass. Call is 4:30 in the sacristy room
September 26-30, Rehearsals as regularly scheduled
October 3-7, Rehearsals as regularly scheduled
October 7 (Friday) – 9:30AM All-School Mass (Our Lady – Rosary)
October 8 (Saturday) – 5:00 Parish Mass. Call is 4:30 in the sacristy
October 10-14, Rehearsals as regularly scheduled
October 17-21, Rehearsals as regularly scheduled
October 22 (Saturday) - 5:00 Parish Mass. Call is 4:30 in the sacristy room
October 24-28, Rehearsals as regularly scheduled
October 31-November 4, Rehearsals as regularly scheduled
November 1 (Tuesday) – 9:30AM All-School Mass (All-Saints)
November 5 (Saturday) - 5:00 Parish Mass. Call is 4:30 in the sacristy room
November 7-11, Rehearsals as regularly scheduled
November 14-18, Rehearsals as regularly scheduled
November 19 (Saturday) - 5:00 Parish Mass. Call is 4:30 in the sacristy room (Christ-King)
November 21-22, Rehearsals as regularly scheduled
November 24 (Thursday) – Thanksgiving Mass 10AM (No warm-up.)
November 26 (Saturday) - 5:00 Parish Mass. Call is 4:30 in the sacristy room (Advent I)
November 28-December 2, Rehearsals as regularly scheduled
December 5-9, Rehearsals as regularly scheduled
December 8 (Thursday) – 9:30AM All-School Mass (Immaculate Conception)
December 10 (Saturday) - 5:00 Parish Mass. Call is 4:30 in the sacristy room (Advent III)
December 12-16, Rehearsals as regularly scheduled
December 19 to the break, Rehearsals as regularly scheduled
December 24 (Saturday) Concert @ 1:45 at Scottish Home (1:30 call) We sing 30-minutes.
[Note: The concert may be switched to the 17th if too many say they are unavailable 24th.]
December 24 (Saturday) Christmas Eve Mass @ 4:00 in the Parish Center

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St. Mary Church Children’s Choir – Permission Form
My child has my permission to join the choir at St. Mary Parish and School. My child will attend rehearsals and liturgies as scheduled. If my child is unable to attend a liturgy or rehearsal, we will call or email the director at the rectory.

Child’s Name: _______________________ Child’s Name: _______________________

Grade: ______ Grade: _______

Parent’s signature: _____________________________________ Date: ____________
Address:________________________________________________________________
Telephone: _______________________ Email: ___________________________
Optional: Name of Parent-for additional Volunteer help with choir___________________
Scope of time offered (i.e. ‘twice a month’ or ‘1-hour every 2-weeks,’ etc…)_____________

Please return at your child’s first rehearsal, or the school office. The end of September is the latest.

Click here for Printable Form