Formation for young singers

[HelenR]

A few years ago I was asked to help set a music group to play at the mass mainly attended by families with young children. With a lot of answered ' prayers, we now have a nice group of parents and children who actually play and sing quite well. It hasnt all been plain sailing but I followed a comment from Marty Haugen that if you want teenagers to take part in church activities start them at three and keep them. It's the keeping them I want help with. In some churches, Altar Servers follow a programme of training and are awarded certificates for their achievements.

I was wondering if I could do something similar for the "choir", which would show how much the children ( and Adults) had learned about the mass and church's liturgy through their involvement. What would members consider should be the basics bearing in mind I am working with children aged 3 - 14? Or is anyone else doing this.
The adults go up to 80+.

I was inspired to do this today as one of the group aged 5, gave me a sticker as she thought I had sung well. I would like to do the same for her especially as at the sign of peace went round saying "pleased to meet you".

[TimSharrock]

It is not something we have considered for our Children's Music Group. I don't think I would want to award certificates, as one thing we want to do is to differentiate from school.

On the other hand, we do give the children (and child-like adults) something chocolate at Christmas and Easter, and we were wondering if we could differentiate between those who sing/play with us regularly, and those who only come occasionally.

I will be interested to hear other responses

[Ros Wood]

Have you seen the RSCM Voice for Life training scheme?

[organist]

Children love any kind of scheme where they can see they are progressing. RSCM Voice for Life is just what you need BUT you need time to do this! However once you get the older children through part 1 they can help you and you can involve the parents who are there for CRB reasons or taking part. Highly recommended. In my former choir we had sweatshirts made for the children with the parish logo on them and they loved that. They also liked getting badges publicly and singing solos - happy days!

[pirate]

And, organist, I remember that when they were asked to 'choose the music' for their various confirmations, they were far more informed than the catechists!

Lots of them went through in my Brownie Pack - when we went out carol singing they would (a) organise themselves and (b) throw in descants ad lib. I remember being delayed at one house, and catching up with them at the next and they were singing Peter McGrail's 'Lord Emmanuel, come' on the doorstep without the words. They were such stars...

[organist]

Absolutely pirate - happy memories! Your point is well made baout learning about liturgy and faith as well as music - vital! And prayers - they were often so moving and simple! Bless them.