CHORISTERS' GUILD
LETTERS The Choristers! Guild is an organization dedi- cated to Christian Character through Children's Vol. 7 1955-56 No. 1 Choirs. It was started in 1949 to help church musicians with the many problems of maintaining a children's choir. The churches that expected Choristers' Guild an inclusive choir program were increasing; 305 E. Anapamu St. schools were graduating church music majors Santa Barbara, Calif. without training in children's choir techniques; and both churches and directors were at a loss as to objectives and methods. Ruth Krehbiel Jacobs President Realizing the great potential influence of the children's choir movement, the Choristers' Guild has undertaken to give it purposeful leadership. Its program has come to include: 1. The Choristers' Guild Letters, published monthly (Sept. to June) filled with suggestions and practical advice on the many subjects related to children's choir work: discipline, organization, selection of music, re- hearsal plans, hymn learning, parent cooperation, equipment, sight-singing, tone, etc. 2. Better standards of achievement through the Guild Merit System. 3. Choristers! Guild chapters, for the encouragement of local directors. 4. Progressive material for children's choir notebooks, 5. Short seminars in all parts of the country. 6. Summer Schools. 7. Children's Choir Festivals. It is our firm belief that the choir can be a profound factor in the religious growth of children. It teaches them to give themselves wholeheartedly to group endeavor; it gives them happy associations with the church; it trains them in the fundamentals of leadership: regularity, loyalty, dependability and ideal- ism; it teaches them the great song literature of the church; it provides a satisfying means of self-expression; and through a responsible part in the ser- vice of worship it opens the door to the experience of worship.
Furthermore, the children's choir bridges denominational differences, as it can be a means of tying together the far corners of the whole Christian world. The Children's Choir is a powerful tool, and the Choristers! Guild is dedicated to its use in the intelligent shaping of worthy Christian leadership. Working together toward that objective there are now 1200 members from Canada, Alaska, the Phillipine Islands, Hawaii, South America, India, the Malay Peninsula, Egypt and almost every state in the Union. More than 60,000 children are dir- ectly affected by the purposeful training of Guild-associated choirs. If the Choristers' Guild is to realize its full potential, it must appeal to the faith and generosity of a large number of people.
Each of us can help in our own way, with Contributing Memberships, special gifts, and by interesting others in the movement. The directed efforts of a world-wide association can accomplish things that are impossible to an individual, or any number of unorganized individuals. The more you do for the Guild, the more the Guild can do for you.
-1- Guild Membership
Membership in the Choristers' Guild is open to all people interested in Chil- dren's Choirs, and their potential influence on Christian education. Annual dues are $2.00, which entitle one to receive the Choristers' Guild Letters, published from September to June.
Members who are actively in charge of a choir are encouraged to: Reach as many children as possible Present worthy music, adequately prepared Encourage reverence Use the choir as a means of character development Make the choir a religious, artistic, educational and recreational influence in the lives of the children Support the purposes of the Choristers' Guild
CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS
A gift of $10.00 a year, makes one a Contributing Member. Both organizations and individuals may become Contributing Members.
The Children's Choir represents a tremendous character influence. It works with two of the greatest powers known: religion and music. It works through the strongest moral force known to society -- the Christian Church. The Contributing Member has a keen awareness of his personal obligation to the present and the future, to others and to himself. Because of that awareness he is constantly im- proving his methods, enlarging and deepening the meaning of the choir experience, and supporting the Choristers' Guild's efforts to knit together in one universal movement the scattered seeds of growth. It is the Contributing Member who will bring that goal in sight.
VOTING MEMBERS
Voting Members are those who for three successive years meet the following qualifications: Contributing Membership Presentation of a special musical service, at which the offering is dedicated to the work of the Choristers' Guild.
Voting Members are entitled to the privilege of attending the annual meeting, and a voice in determining the policies of the Guild.
HONOR MEMBERS
The Choristers' Guild proposes to present a beautifully designed heavy gold cross to those who have rendered the Guild exceptional service, and to those members who for three successive years meet the following qualifications: A Contributing Member A Guild Benefit Musical Service Use of the Merit System Three major study projects for the choir children Maintenance of Guild standards
All membership is annual, and runs from September to September. All members receive the Choristers' Guild Letters. ARE YOU READY FOR A REAL JOB?
PHYSICALLY? Good health? Full of energy? Good posture? Attractive appearance?
EMOTIONALLY? Can you hold your tongue? And your temper? Do you get along with people? Do you know how to laugh? At the right time? Are you a worry-wart? Can you accept criticism? Do you use both head and heart in your decisions?
INTELLECTUALLY? Do you hunt and find new ideas? Do you finish what you start? Are you convinc- ing? Have you read any new books and articles? Have you planned your program?
SPIRITUALLY? Is your religion real? Do you read your Bible purposefully? And contemporary religious books? Do you know the history and the tenets of your church? Have you studied your church school literature?
MUSICALLY? Have you found interesting new material? Have you studied it? Decided how to present it? Set new standards of tone and musicianship for your choir? Discovered improved rehearsal methods?
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Every choir situation presents some problems. Whether they are caused by condi- tions, or by personality friction, they will not be solved by running away from them. Too often we succumb to the temptation of finding "the easy way out". But the easy way is seldom the courageous way. Leadership demands the power to see a personal problem with the eyes of an impartial judge, and to act with equal impartiality; to recognize disappointments as an inevitable part of life, and to find some wise solution; to refuse to accept opposition, and to convert it into friendship. These are the demands of honest leadership. He who accepts them will truly become a leader. And that is the quality of leadership the Children's Choir movement requires of you.
Suggested Subjects for Guild Chapter Meetings Sept. On reaching the WHOLE church Oct. Making the home music-conscious Nov. Better rehearsal methods Dec. Teaching resources Jan. Providing for the changing-voice crowd Feb. Our responsibility for worship habits March A community-wide, interdenominational music program Apr. Symposium on new materials May Plans for next season
WHO? WHO? WHO? WHO? WHO? WHO? WHO? WHO? WHO? WHO? gave me the manuscript copy of the little song:
"I believe in God above; I believe in Jesus' love: I believe His spirit too, comes to tell us what to do: I believe that I can be kind and gentle, Lord, like Thee." If you wrote it, or know who wrote it, please write me immediately. -3- Good, Easy, Singable Anthems for General Use SATB Jesu, Word of God Incarnate - Mozart - - E. C. Schirmer 1170 O Be Joyful in the Lord - Wood - - Birchard 1190 Behold Now, Praise the Lord - Titcomb - - B. F. Wood 457 In Thee, 0 Lord, Have I Trusted - Handel - - E. C. Schirmer 1130 O Thou, The Central Orb - Wood - Birchard 1155 0 How Amiable - Vaughan Williams - - Oxford University Press 0 Taste and See- Vaughan Williams - - - Oxford University Press The Lord's My Shepherd - Mueller - - - C. Fischer CM6616 O Sacred Feast - Willan - - H. W. Gray 715 SATB with much unison All Thy Works Praise Thee - Lockwood - - - Gray Only Begotten Word - Allanson Brown - - - Gray Immortal, Invisible - Thiman - - - Novello Holy Lord of All - Welsh-Williams - - Flammer Give Me A Faith - Bitgood - - - Gray Fight the Good Fight - Williams - - - C. Fischer SAB Lead Me, Lord - Wesley-Holler - - - Gray O Lord Most Holy - Franck-Runkel - Ditson Thee We Adore - Dubois - - - Presser St. Francis' Hymn - arr. Olds - - - Hall McCreary Praise the Lord - Welsh-Malin - - Birchard Praise to the Lord - arr. Whitehead - - Gray Lord of Our Life - Flemming-Holler - - Gray Combined Choirs O My Soul, Bless God the Father - arr. Simes - - - B. F. Wood (based on hymn tune) Old Hundreth Psalm Tune - arr. Vaughan Williams - - - Oxford University Press (combined choirs and congregation; used for the Coronation of Elizabeth) Junior Choirs Like as a Father - Cherubini - - Birchard 3 part canon Thanksgiving - Snell - - - Gray The Lord is a Mighty God - Mendelssohn - Kjos I Will Sing of Thy Great Mercies, 0 Lord - Mendelssohn-Protheroe- -GambleHinged Dear Christians, Praise God Evermore Kindermann - - Concordia. The Shepherd Boy Sings in the Valley of Humiliation - Thompson -- Oxford U. Press Prayer of St. Richard of Chichester - White - - Oxford Univ. Press E.43 Let Us With a Gladsome Mind - Warner - - Birchard 2063 Grant Us Light - Thiman - - G. Schirmer 10280 Savior Teach Me - Savage - - Presser 312-21537 O Life That Makest All Things New - Longmire - - - G. Schirmer 10224 Jesu, Whom Thy Children Love - Button - - Novello 1506 A Child's Prayer - Shaw - - - G. Schirmer 10290 Come, Thou Creator Divine - Lalo - - - Boston Music Co. 2724 Primary Choir Songs for the Little Child - Baker and Kohlsaat - - Abingdon Press -4- HYMN of the MONTH (for the choir note-book)
DOXOLOGY • Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise Him all creatures here below, Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts, Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen
The Doxology is sung in most churches every Sunday. Is it sung in your church? At what point in the service? The words are adapted from Psalm l48. Which verses of the Psalm speak of: all creatures here below ye heavenly hosts
THESE TWO SINGING GRACES ARE SUNG TO THE SAME TUNE
Be present at our table, Lord Be here and everywhere adored; Thy children bless, and grant that we May live in fellowship with Thee. Amen
For all the glories of Thy Way, For Thy protection night and day, For roof and warmth,and bed and board, For friends and home, we thank Thee, Lord. Amen
Grace: "A short prayer, in which a blessing is asked, or thanks rendered at a meal." Webster1 s dictionary.
There are many ways of saying grace.
The Roman Catholic crosses himself Others bow the head, and say grace silently Sometimes the father or mother says grace for the family Sometimes the members of the family take turns Sometimes the whole family sings a grace Sometimes they join hands around the table, and sing a grace
What is the custom in your family?
Can you write an original Grace to this same tune? Try it. It would be easier if the whole family helped.
Amen Order of Worship for Choir Dedication Sunday
Processional Hymn Minister: It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord; and to sing praises unto Thy Name, 0 Most High; to show forth Thy loving kindness in the morning, and Thy faithfulness every night.
Choirs: I will praise Thee, 0 Lord, with my whole heart. I will show forth Thy marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in Thee. I will sing praises to Thy Name, 0 Thou Most High. Anthem Scripture reading Hymn Presentation of tithes and offering
Choir Dedication Minister: You, children, the like of whom Jesus took into His arms and blessed, do you promise to learn well all that shall be taught you in the Cherub Choir? Do you so promise? Cherub Choir: We do so promise. Minister: You who with eager hearts are learning to worship God, do you promise to serve and sing for Him in the Junior Choir? Do you so promise? Junior Choir: We do so promise. Minister: You who are giving your young lives in the service of praise, do you promise to live for Jesus every day, and to be faithful to Him by doing your best in the Junior High Choir? Do you so promise? Junior Hi Choir: We do so promise. Minister: You, who are seeking to discover the will of God in your lives, and have committed yourselves through the choir to the ministry of your church, do you promise with the help of God, that you will keep your daily life in harmony with your music, and fulfill to the best of your ability, your duties as choristers in this church? Do you so promise? High School Choir: We do so promise. Minister: You, who with true stewardship of time, and talent, have committed yourself to the discipline of choir membership, do you promise by the help of God that you will keep your daily life in harmony with your music, and that you will endeavor to meet all the obligations of membership in the Sanctuary Choir. Do you so promise? Sanctuary Choir: We do so promise.
Litany of Dedication: Minister of Music: To a conduct of life worthy of those who stand before others in the public worship of God, Choirs: We dedicate ourselves. Minister of Music: To help in the fostering of reverence in the house of God, and to the creating of an atmosphere of worship, Choirs: We dedicate ourselves. Minister of Music: Tu lead the congregation in singing the praises of God, and giving the honor due His name, Choirs: We dedicate ourselves. Minister of Music: To fill the house of worship with song and praise and prayer, and to help as we can in the lifting of the burdens of life from all who enter here, Choirs: We dedicate ourselves. -6- Minister of Music: To lead others by song into the Kingdom of God, Choirs: We dedicate ourselves, Minister of Music: To testify in glad and tuneful music our gratitude and love to Thee, Choirs: We dedicate ourselves. Minister: Let us pray. Choirs: God of all lovely sounds, grant us a share In Thy great harmonies of earth and air; Make us Thy choristers, that we may be Worthy to offer music unto Thee. Amen. Minister: Oh God, Creator of this universe of rhythm and sound and beauty, bless these Thy servants and inspire them as they lead this congregation in worship, that their voices may worthily praise Thee, their thoughts glorify Thee, and their lives honor Thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Ministers Do you, the members of this congregation, recognizing the devotion and the service of these choirs, receive them as your choirs, and in so far as possible support them by your encouragement, and faithful attendance at the worship services of this church? Do you so promise? Congregation: We do so promise. Hymn of dedication.
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The Merit System
The Choristers' 75 credits for 100% attendance at rehearsals and performances Pin 50 credits for 85% attendance at rehearsals and performanes 25 credits for a complete and neat notebook 25 credits for 100% attendance at church school 15 credits for 85% attendance at church school 25 credits for good behavior (It is suggested that a child be given a demerit if he needs to be reprimanded. Ten demerits should disqualify him for these credits). 15 credits for bringing a new member (Granted only if new member remains through the season; no more than 15 credits granted in any one year)
This system is based on a nine months' season of regular weekly rehearsals. To earn a pin, a chorister must earn 100 credits during the year. The virtue of the system is that it is impossible to earn a pin without being regular, and it is also impossible to earn one by attendance only.
The Choristers' pin is the first year award in the Junior Choir.
Each successive year, the pin is returned to the Guild, to have a pearl set in it.
Upon graduation to the Junior High School Choir, the pin is returned to the Guild to have the guard attached.