Dear Families and Young People of River Road Church, Baptist,

I am so very delighted to serve as RRCB’s interim children’s/youth choir director this coming semester!

Singing has been a profound blessing to me throughout my life–particularly in my childhood and teen years–and if I were to share here all the ways I’ve been ministered to through singing, this letter might never end. Suffice it to say that through the songs of saints and seekers from around the world and across the ages I have learned how to rejoice and how to walk through suffering; I have encountered God’s love and met the road of humility; I have witnessed wisdom hand-in-hand with compassion; I’ve been enlivened by liturgy in real and relevant ways, and much more. Singing has fortified my faith, my place in the world, and my understanding of who God is and what God has done in a physical and tangible way. My hope is that despite my short time with you I may nevertheless share these things with RRCB’s children and teens.

Since I am with you temporarily, we have an exciting chance to try a few new things (not too new!) and also keep RRCB traditions going. I see this period as an opportunity to collect input from RRCB families regarding the children’s/youth choir program, so that your next music minister may come in with an understanding of what you value. I welcome your input now, and also throughout the semester.

Pre-K through 5th Grades

Dr. Ken and Ms. Mary will continue to provide music activities in WorshipCare and children’s worship time during Sunday morning services. I’ll join forces with them to also teach Carol Choir and Jubilate Choir music at that time, so that PK-3rd grade children unable to attend Sunday afternoon choir sessions may learn the music anyway. In this way we hope to make choir participation a bit more accessible to the younger crowd.

We will continue to offer Carol (PK-1st) and Jubilate (2nd-5th) choir sessions on Sunday afternoons, which I will lead weekly. Some material will be different from Sunday mornings, and some the same, but for these ages repetition contributes to mastery and, importantly, enjoyment!

6th through 12th Grades

Youth Choir (6th-12th) will continue to meet on Sunday afternoons. I truly enjoy working with adolescent/changing voices, and my philosophy includes full incorporation of all singers, from the hesitant to the confident. How young people experience singing during this period of vocal uncertainty (which can last years) often determines their adult singing, and I am passionate about empowering singers in this important age range with science-based best practices so they continue a life-long love of singing.

Camerata (particular 8th-12th) will continue as an accelerated group for treble singers in 8th grade and up (and younger Camerata singers who participated last year) devoted to advanced sacred choral music. If your 8th grade and up treble singer wishes to explore Camerata, I encourage them to attend the first few rehearsals. We will not audition new singers this semester; rather, we will welcome interested 8th+ singers and provide them with skill-building expectations tailored to their current individual musicianship. In this way we’ll keep the high calibre of Camerata music while opening the experience to interested singers who wish to work hard, without an audition.

I hope to publish a complete children’s/youth music schedule in the next week, including all Sing-in-Worship Sundays and special rehearsals.

If your child is on the fence about joining choir, especially with an unknown director, I invite you to seek me out at the upcoming church lunches, or email me to set up a call or meeting, and we can get to know one another a bit before they decide. Please reach out ot me freely; I welcome questions and suggestions.

I look forward to meeting each of you!

‘Sing’ you soon,

Leslie Dripps