Singing School
If anything can be said of seminary at St. Tikhon's, it is that there are plenty of opportunities to sing...and that does not just mean for the seminarians. The seminarians are assigned to one of two seminarian choirs and some of them are a part of the mission choir, which has extra responsibilities to represent the school by traveling and singing services in churches throughout the region. Some other members of the family join the mixed choir on Sunday mornings. And then, there is "Singing School".
The reality is that some of these kids have fathers who will one day be priests in a humble mission parish setting. Most of them will have opportunity to sing in the choir; some of them might just be able to direct the choir. Instilling some of the necessary, fundamental skills in them now could prepare them for such. Even if they do not have opportunity or desire to direct a church choir, every skill developed in them grows them musically, and even spiritually. How those skills might help them in the future is impossible to know.
Ioann, Elena, and Silouan have been taking part in the "Singing School" on Tuesday evenings. At first, I was just thinking that Singing School was just a get-together-and-sing experience for kids, which is most certainly valuable, in and of itself. However, in the past few weeks, I have come to realize that the teachers in Singing School see it as much more than that.
It is singing, and it is fun, but the teachers are teaching some concepts that were never included in my church choir times in my growing up years. To start with, it includes directing. And bigger than that, they want to instill a singing culture into the kids, that it is normal to love to sing, and we are quite literally taking part in beautifying this world, both through singing and the challenging interaction between singers.
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| Sneaky Photo through the Door |
All three of them have enjoyed their time immensely. They had to miss one of the Singing School times a few weeks back, and they complained about the loss. It is nice to know they enjoy it.
WONDERFUL NEWS Music is BASIC to growing in worship and Praise of our creator Father, comforting Holy Spirit and Redeemer Christ! He made all creation to praise Him and they will learn to help others learn, enjoy and participate n music. Happy for their opportunity and BLESSED that they all enjoy it! Love and Prayers Granny
ReplyDeleteI, too, am so glad they are enjoying themselves. The ladies who are leading these sessions are incredible musicians: one is a voice coach, one is a conductor and music educator, one has years of experience leading church choirs. They are in good hands, indeed.
ReplyDeleteYou know this makes an old choir teacher’s heart happy!!!��❤️
ReplyDeleteThere is a certainly a robust program of vocal education going on around here, including everything from the kids' classes, to voice lessons, to multiple choirs singing the services (some going out and performing), and even the professional St. Tikhon Choir, which is not directly affiliated to the school, but is directed by the director here and in which several of the more experienced folks perform. I have been wanting a good place to gain some vocal training and experience, and this is it!
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