Children's Music

At St. Matthew's, we place tremendous emphasis on music as an important ministry and provide a music program that reaches out to all age groups. Our goals are to build eternal values, develop leaders of worship, teach great anthems and hymns of the church, and instill confidence, self-discipline, and the spirit of cooperation in each choir member. Join us as we "make a joyful noise" through music!

Children's Vocal Choirs

The Wesley Choir is for children, Kindergarten-Grade 2. They rehearse on Mondays, 2:30-3:15 PM, during the school year, learning music through playing instruments, singing and taking part in musical games. They sing monthly for worship and present a May musical with the Altar Choir.

The Altar Choir is for children, Grades 3-6. They rehearse on Mondays, 3:45-4:45 PM, during the school year, learning about music and worship, as well as refining their musicianship by learning hymns and anthems. They are sing monthly for worship and present an annual May musical.

Children's Handbell Choirs

The Rainbow Ringers are children, Grades 3-4, who have very little or no ringing experience. They rehearse on Mondays, 3:00-3:45 PM, during the school year. They ring for worship regularly and play at a retirement center each year.

The Praise Ringers are children, Grade 4, who have had one year of handbell experience. They rehearse on Mondays, 3:00-3:45 PM, during the school year, and this year will work on refining their note reading. They ring for worship regularly.

The Joyful Ringers are children, Grade 5, who have ringing experience and can read music. They rehearse on Mondays, 4:45-5:30 PM, during the school year and ring for worship regularly.

The Chancel Ringers are children, Grade 6, who have ringing experience and can read music. They rehearse on Mondays, 4:45-5:30 PM, during the school year and ring for worship regularly.

Faith Enrichment

Surrounding the choir rehearsals, we offer an additional Christian growth and formation opportunity for our elementary-aged children on Monday afternoons.  In addition to our music ministry opportunities, this fall children have a new faith enrichment Christian education opportunity.  

Faith Enrichment will use active learning methods and build on the faith stories, Biblical references and themes that appear in the music the children will be preparing in their choirs and handbell groups. Though a common theme will be shared with the music groups, the Faith Enrichment session stands alone so that children can participate in Faith Enrichment activities on Mondays whether or not they participate in choir or bells.  Monday Faith Enrichment is an optional activity.  A child does not have to participate in choir or bells to be a part of Monday afternoon’s Faith Enrichment (though we hope they will).  Nor do they have to be part of Faith Enrichment to sing or ring in a choir – each complements the other and stands  alone.  Faith Enrichment time includes games, movement, cooking, art, drama, an occasional field trip and, of course, snacks!   

To join any of the children's choirs, contact Nancy Cappel, ncappel@stmatthewsumc.org or download the registration forms posted at the top right-side of this page, or register online here.