At St. Joseph Christian School, we are all about scholarship and academics in the classroom, making Jesus Christ the Lord of our life, showing Christian character, and learning to serve others with a Christ-like attitude. We try to implement these core values in the vocal music program.
Through basic vocal technique, listening to quality examples of music, and experiencing excellence in outside choral activities, each student learns the difficulty of achieving music excellence, but is also exposed to the satisfaction of giving our best to our Lord when we perform. This attitude and desire for excellence can also be fun, an additional goal of each choral experience here at SJCS.
We use a variety of music in the classroom, but each piece must honor our Lord in some way, whether it is through the text directly or through the music, indirectly. I want to help each student learn more about our Lord, which will hopefully lead each one to a better relationship with Him.
Learning to show Christian character and to serve others is often experienced when the choirs get to take field trips to local nursing and retirement centers to perform. Students are prepared not only to perform their music but are also encouraged to spend time with the audience after the concert, to show Christian love and service to them. Another event that helps students learn to serve others is the Sr. High Choir’s participation in the Operation Christian Child program. Students get to “shop” in the choir room, pack a shoe box, write a note to the child, and pray for the children receiving the boxes. They work together to give the best to a child in need.
Some events that have become a “must” here at SJCS are the Fall Musical/Drama, Rhythm Dictation Challenge, Christmas Concert, the Buchanan County Courthouse performance with the band, Faith Promise concert, Spring contest, Spring concert, and even making music videos! Each choir also participates in local honor choir performances, where they can experience choir with 200 plus voices! Students are trained and challenged to audition for All-District and All-State Choirs, which take the best of the best each year. We are always busy here at SJCS, learning new music and a new way to praise our Lord, through song.
I encourage anyone interested in the vocal music department to contact Mrs. Cyndi King, Admissions Director, to arrange a visit. Come join in the singing of fun songs, sight reading, clapping rhythms, games, singing hymns, and experience the choral sound of SJCS, for the glory of our Lord.
Mrs. Sharon Waters
Secondary Choir