Our Lady of the Presentation Choristers

Introduction
The OLP Choristers is a vibrant and growing Children’s Music Program made up of students from Our Lady of the Presentation Parish School. This ministry has become a true blessing for our parish community, enriching our liturgies through joyful and reverent participation in sacred music. As children mature in both age and musical ability, they transition from Elementary School Choristers to Middle School Choristers, and eventually—if they wish—into one of our several parish choirs for youth and adults. The musical instruction they receive is not simply for the moment; these are skills they can carry, cherish, and use for the rest of their lives.

What is Choristers?
The term “Choristers” comes from a long-standing choral tradition in both the Roman Catholic and Anglican Churches. A chorister is simply a trained young singer who serves the Church through song. Throughout history, children’s choirs have played a vital role in elevating sacred worship, and our program proudly continues this tradition today.

Choristers are typically children who have a natural inclination for singing and are trained to use that gift with excellence, reverence, and confidence—especially in the context of worship. The heart of the program is spiritual as much as it is musical: our choristers learn not only how to sing, but why we sing as people of faith.

Purpose
The primary purpose of the OLP Choristers is to train young singers to develop and use their natural and spiritual gifts as cantors and choir members for the worship of God. We nurture musical ability, liturgical understanding, leadership, and confidence—helping children become strong contributors to parish life.

Rehearsals
Rehearsal times are as follows:
Tuesday -        7:15am-7:45am - Middle School
Tuesday -        3:00pm-4:00pm - Elementary School
Wednesday -  7:15am-7:45am - Middle School

Training
Having the gift to sing is the starting point for any singer. Singers will learn musical and vocal skills necessary to serve as a Cantor and Chorister.

• Teaching the fundamentals of singing – breath control, vocal, exercises, diction (enunciation and pronunciation), phonating vocal sounds, ear training (aural learning), and projecting sound
• Teaching the basics of reading music – note & rest values, dynamic markings, tempo markings, music markings
• Teaching Cantor skills – introducing hymns, leading Responsorial Psalms and Mass Acclamations
• Teaching the importance of singing in the Liturgy
• Sensitivity will be given to the changing voice.

• Understanding the reasons for the various Liturgical Seasons of the Church.
• Learning the Biblical stories and understanding God’s plan for our Salvation.
• Hymnology – learning hymn structures, textual meter, names of hymn tunes.

Cantors
Cantors are selected from the singers who demonstrate the skill level needed to lead the Assembly. First time Cantors are paired with a skilled Cantor.
 
Apprentice
Singers in the third grade will be learning all of the basic skills to be a Cantor in their first year; however, a singer does not have to be Cantor.
 
Age Range
The OLP Choristers program is open to students in 3rd through 8th grade who have a natural ability to sing. Depending on space and readiness, 2nd graders may be invited to join after Spring Break.

Attendance
OLP Choristers uses a team model regarding practices and follows the policies established by the OLP School Board and Diocese of KC-St. Joseph regarding extra-curricular activities. Singers must attend regular rehearsals to be eligible to Cantor.  Missed rehearsals will result in missed opportunities to Cantor.  Weekend liturgies and special concerts are mandatory.

For more information, please contact James Wagner, Director of Liturgy & Music, at 816-251-1110 or  [email protected].