Junior Choir

A new initiative for the parish community 
Free music education!
Free singing lessons!

A unique musical education

The junior choir will offer children the opportunity to be part of a unique tradition of English church music that people recognise across the world. Your child will receive training in music, with free singing and music theory tuition. Choristers will gain experience singing alongside our adults at Christ Church who have many years of experience. We sing mainly at Christ Church but may occasionally sing at other churches in Southampton. We sing music from around the world, covering over a thousand years from early chants to contemporary music by living composers! 
  
Most importantly, choristers develop key life skills of: 
  •  self-discipline and responsibility 
  • commitment to others as part of a professional team 
  • time management 
  • high standards and a sense of achievement ​

Training

What does it cost?
Your child will follow the Royal School of Church Music’s Voice for Life training scheme. Your child will get a personal folder and study materials provided and  guided by the Director of Music Craig, who has worked with choirs for many years and learnt from the Voice for Life when he was younger. Everyone involved in training your child is checked in accordance with the Parish’s Safeguarding Policy. ​
It’s free! Depending how things develop there may be an opportunity to earn some pocket money for singing at weddings and special services. ​

Is it a big commitment?

Compared to a Cathedral or Abbey, it’s not a big commitment, our routine is much more manageable. Your child will not be required to sing during the school holidays or after Easter and Christmas. After a trial period we do expect our singers (adults and children) to be committed to attending weekly rehearsals unless it’s absolutely unavoidable such as due to illness.  Because the junior choir is starting from scratch, we are proposing the following routine: 
Rehearsals 
  • Wednesdays 6.15 – 7.45pm  Including a short break and  15mins with the adult choir 
Provisional Sunday commitment 
  • Week 1, 3: Communion Service 9.30am - 11.15am
  • Week 4: Evensong 3.45pm-5.30pm
Once more confident, your child may be encouraged to sing at an evening service once a month. We would hope as children mature they begin rehearsing with the adults and will sing at more services. We would also encourage you to come to church when not singing to get to know the church community, there is a Sunday School most weeks. 

Who can join?

Still interested?...next steps
The choir is aimed at children in school years 3–9 (age 7–14). Prior experience and musical skills are not necessary, and children do not need to have a religious back ground. We only look for enthusiasm and musical potential. We hope that after year 9 your child will choose to stay and move to rehearsing with the adult choir.
If you have any questions, why not come and see us on a Sunday or email Craig our Director of Music, who is always very happy to have an informal chat with parents 

Email christchurch.freemantle@gmail.com 
Phone 07814 305 261   
 Our motto that has been passed down over many years is: 
I will sing with the Spirit and with the understanding also