Welcome to the First Community Youth Choirs 

Register to receive information for the 2022/2023 program year.

Registration now open.
Click HERE

Click HERE to view upcoming performance dates for all Youth Choirs.

To register for the Pre-K Sing and Play, please click HERE.

Youth Choirs 2022-2023 Season

Children’s Choirs for grades K-8 Wednesdays, Youth Choir Room 134, North

• New! Pre-K Sing and Play program, on select Wednesdays (see more below) for Pre-K children and their grown-up(s), 6:00-6:30pm

• Cherub Choir for grades K-3, 6:00-6:30 pm

• Junior Choir for grades 4-8, 6:30-7:00 pm

• Youth Bell Choir 1 for beginning ringers, 7:00-7:30 pm, Chancel Choir Room, North

• Youth Bell Choir 2 for experienced ringers, 7:30-8:00 pm, Chancel Choir Room, North

About the Choirs

All K-8 choirs are led by Sally Beske.

In an emotionally safe environment, the Youth Choirs at First Community Church provide a loving community for children as they explore music literacy and vocal technique. Children in the choirs become active and confident participants in worship as they bring their song of praise and prayer to God.

Pre-K Sing and Play

Our new PreK music program for children who are pre-K children and their grownup(s). Register by clicking here.

Taught by Julie Cannell and in conjunction with The Gathering, Midweek Missions and Youth Choir classes.

ABOUT THE TEACHER:

K-3rd Grade - Cherub Choir

Wednesdays, 6 - 6:30pm
Youth Choir Room, North 

Membership in Cherub Choir is available to all children in Kindergarten through third grade. No audition or pre-registration required. The best times to join are in September or January, although all are welcome at any time throughout the program year. The rehearsals for Cherub Choir focus on learning the beginning elements of music reading and vocal production.

Rehearsal Times and Performances:
Cherub Choir meets on Wednesday evenings in the Youth Choir Room at North from September through May from 6 to 6:30pm. We perform in worship every 4 to 6 weeks throughout the choir season. In December all K-8 choirs combine to present a Christmas musical. A detailed rehearsal/performance schedule is available by clicking HERE.

4th - 8th Graders - Junior Choir

Wednesdays, 6:30 - 7pm
Youth Choir Room, North 

Membership in the Junior Choir is available to all children in grades four through eighth. The best times to join are in September or January, although all are welcome at any time throughout the program year. The rehearsals for Junior Choir focus on basic music reading skills, vocal production (including posture and breathing), rhythm, pitch, and understanding the different elements of the worship liturgy. Children in choir learn how to take a leadership role during worship.

Rehearsal Times and Performances:
Junior Choir meets on Wednesday evenings in the Youth Choir Room at North from September through May from 6:30 to 7pm. We perform every 4 to 6 weeks throughout the choir season. Detailed rehearsal and performance schedules are given to parents at the first rehearsal in September, for September through December, and the first rehearsal in January, for January through May. In December all the youth choirs (K-8) combine to present a Christmas Musical during worship. A detailed rehearsal/performance schedule is available by clicking HERE.

Vocal Music Opportunities for High School Youth

Besides Bell Choirs, youth in grades 9-12 are welcome in the following vocal choirs without an audition:

Cambridge Choir at South

This SATB choir under the direction of Associate Director of Music, Amy Blosser, participates in worship at the 10am service during the program year.  Rehearsals are on Sunday mornings and occasionally on Thursday evenings.  Amy also directs the choirs at Bexley High School.  You will be joining some of her students in this group as well as adults of all ages. Contact Amy or Mrs. Beske for more information.

Chancel Choir at North

An SATB choir under the direction of Andy Blosser, Director of Music, this choir participates in the worship service at 11am. A subset of this group (The Chamber Choir) sings at the 9am service. This choir rehearses every Thursday evening during the program year. Dr. Andy Blosser is a voice professor at OSU.  You will be joining several of his young students in this choir as well as adults of all ages. Contact Andy or Mrs. Beske for more information.

For special worship services and concerts these choirs will combine, often with orchestra.

Additional Music Opportunities for High School Youth 

Common Grace Band

This contemporary music group is led by Janelle Rogers. They play at the 9 am contemporary service at North. There are opportunities in this band for vocalists, drummers, keyboard, guitar and bass players. Rehearsals are on Sunday mornings. Contact Janelle for current openings and specific information.

Assisting K-8 Children’s Choirs on Wednesday evenings

Help choir children feel seen, valued and confident by your presence in Wednesday evening rehearsals, Sunday morning anthems, and the Christmas Musical.  Some of your duties may be taking attendance, helping individual children find a parent or go to the restroom, as well as singing along in rehearsals. You will need Darkness to Light certification.  This 2-hour class on how to keep children safe from sexual abuse is provided by the church. Contact Sally Beske, Director of Youth Choirs for more information.

Youth Bell Choir 1 & 2

Wednesdays, 7 - 7:30pm, 7:30 - 8pm
Choir Room, North 

Membership in Bell Choir 1 is available for children who have not had bell choir experience. Enrollment is limited by the number of bells. Bell Choir 2 is for youth who have had bell playing experience and includes middle school and high school youth. Enrollment is limited by the number of bells.

Youth Bell Choir Experience:
Bell Choir 1 (rehearsing 7 to 7:30pm) is for children/youth that are beginning to read music. Bell Choir 2 (rehearsing 7:30 to 8 pm) is made up of mostly middle school and high school students who have some music reading or bell playing experience. With challenging repertory, lively fellowship, and leadership roles in worship and Christmas musicals, Bell Choir youth are given opportunities that will help them define and discover their musical strengths in a safe supportive environment.

Rehearsal Times and Performance:
Bell Choirs 1 & 2 perform at North worship services every 5 to 8 weeks during the school year. Detailed rehearsal and performance schedules are given out the first rehearsal in September, for September through December, and the first rehearsal in January, for January through May. In December, all the youth choirs (K-12) combine to present a Christmas Musical during worship. A detailed rehearsal/performance schedule is available for Bell Choir 1 by clicking HERE. Bell Choir 2 rehearsal/performance schedule is available by clicking HERE.

In a vocal choir you sing the same notes as many other people. In a bell choir no one else plays the same notes as you do. If you are absent in a bell choir, notes of the song are missing. Bell choirs cannot perform without all of their members. When you join a bell choir you join a team of friends and musicians who are counting on you to be at the performance and at each rehearsal to learn your part. 

Funding for the Youth Choirs

Funding for the Youth Choirs is provided by your family’s donation at the time that you register your child, congregational pledges to the general operating fund of the church and by gifts designated to the Youth Choirs. Most of our equipment has been provided for us by grants from First Community Foundation. Thank you for your family’s support.

Contact Information
Church office: 614 488.0681 ext. 107
Email: Sally Beske