A Children’s Choir: a dream come true

Want to audition for the children’s choir?
Auditions for the Diocesan Children’s Choir will be on Tuesday, Nov. 12, and Saturday, Nov. 16. Parents will need to fill out an application at tinyurl.com/diokidschoir.

Bishop Carl A. Kemme has dreamed of having a children’s choir since he was a parish priest in the Diocese of Springfield, Illinois.

Five years ago he shared his dream with Fr. Gabriel Greer. Today, it’s no longer a dream.

“I believe there’s a lot of excitement around the diocese about this,” Fr. Greer said.

Sara High a music teacher at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School in Wichita will direct the choir, he said. “So, she’s very familiar with children and singing.”

Fr. Greer, who serves as the director of Worship and as the rector at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, said she met with him and Alan Held about a year ago regarding the project. Held is the director of Sacred Music for the Cathedral.

Bishop Kemme said he is excited our diocese will have a children’s choir. “Children’s voices can truly enhance the Sacred Liturgy. I look forward to hearing this choir at future diocesan liturgies, giving glory and praise to God.”

High said she remembers singing at the Chrism Mass when she was a member of the 3rd-5th grade choir at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School.

“As a child who loved music, singing that beautiful liturgy had a lasting impact on me as a Catholic musician,” she said. “I am excited that children in our diocese will have the opportunity to grow their God-given musical gifts by singing sacred music in Catholic liturgies and concerts. Ultimately, the purpose of this children’s choir is to nurture the singers’ musicianship as well as their love for God and for our Catholic faith. It would be wonderful to see them continue to serve in their parish music ministries and choirs as they grow older.”

A board of teachers and musicians has been formed to assist High, Fr. Greer said.

Girls and boys (before their voices deepen) in fourth through eighth grades may audition for the choir. A specific number of choir members has not been determined. The number is only limited by the size of the choir loft.

“We’re excited the Cathedral will be the home of the Diocesan Children’s Choir,” Fr. Greer said. “That is where they’ll practice.”

Fr. Greer said he hopes the choir will be formed and ready to sing for a premiere at the diaconate ordinations in late May.