". . . little shall I grace my cause

In speaking for myself. Yet, by your gracious patience,

I will a round unvarnish'd tale deliver . . ."

(William Shakespeare's Othello, I.iii.88-90)

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Schola Does Chicago!

Earlier this week our church's Schola Cantorum sang for chapel at Concordia University-Chicago. We have done this trip with both our Schola Cantorum and our junior high day school choir several times over the last few years. We load up children in cars, drive to River Forest, sing for chapel, have a little fun, and then stick around long enough to serve as a demonstration choir for Dr. Charles Brown's children's choir conducting class. It has proven to be a mutually beneficial arrangement for all involved!

I did manage to get a few photos from the day. Here is our choir, which meets every Wednesday after school. There are 17 singers ranging from second to fifth grade. That is not a set age range but is just how it worked out this year. All of these children but one (mine, who is homeschooled) attend our church's day school and also sing in school choirs. So they are bullish about singing! This is a wonderful group of children and we love working with them.



After chapel we had a picnic lunch. It was a beautiful day for it! Clearly our little angels also know how to be silly.




Waiting for instructions from the The Man.


Time to blow off some steam!

Not everyone had steam to blow.


We love choir moms.

Choir is a place for making friends!

After lunch and outdoor play it was time for ice cream. Bet you can guess where we went.

"Look at what we colored, Cantor!" 


Cantor served as guest instructor for Dr. Brown's class. With the children's help he demonstrated warm-ups, talked about children's voices and repertoire, and discussed techniques for running a rehearsal and managing discipline.


The university students were extremely attentive and asked excellent questions. Dr. Brown is pictured at far left. CUC is so blessed to have him on the music staff. We are huge fans of Dr. Brown!

The students and their director. My little guy is in the front row, far right (distracted as usual).


The children sang four selections for chapel, all memorized. This was the only one I recorded (I was playing piano on the others and failed to get a surrogate videographer). The children sang the second stanza of "Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice." The setting is by my husband. Dr. Steve Wente is playing organ. It is impossible to overstate the musical, educational and spiritual value of this day for the children. We are so thankful to CUC for making this day possible!

"Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice" from Cheryl on Vimeo.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

What a lovely synopsis of the day! Thank you, Cheryl!