"My kids"

Eagerly awaiting their song to begin.

"My kids"

Every week I stress over what to do with my choir of ~sixty 6-8 year old boys and girls. There actually isn't a lot of music out there that is easily accessible, easy to work with and enjoyable. When we were asked to sing in church, the stress really started. I didn't want to sing any old song. I wanted it to be unique and leave an impression. Its not every day we get to sing in our huge church. After exhausting my resources, I decided I'd teach them my favorite song from our days in the Congo. Some doubted as to whether or not they could really get it and pull it off, but on the contrary, this age is when they can get another language quite easily. I would rather teach them than a choir of adults!!! After just three weeks of half hour practices, they pretty much had it down. Now - the worst and hardest part - the parents. I wrote a desperate and pleading letter to the parents to have their children there the night we were to sing. I spoke to each parent in person and even offered to pick kids up. We had no idea how many would actually show up at "5:30 in room 108" (I made the kids say it like a mantra). Slowly they trickled in till I was overjoyed with the turnout. The kids were so excited and some were actually nervous. A couple even dressed in what they felt to be "African" Two of my best singers were getting baptized that night and I worked it out for them to sing anyway - so they sang in their white baptismal robes. They were precious. Parents kept approaching me before hand saying how excited they were as their child "has been talking about this all week", "singing it around the house for weeks", "has been excited all week"... It was really fun. Needless to say, I was very proud of MY KIDS. They did very very well.
Now back to the routine stress of what to do each week... any good suggestions from experienced children's leaders?? Beth, come on, you've got some goods to share, eh?
I'm working on getting the video uploaded for all to enjoy.... stay tuned....