First United Presbyterian Church
Children's Choir
The Children's Choir in the news: Children's Choir catches attention of the Albany Times Union
Assistant Director for 2009-2010
Carolynn Mackey has been engaged by First United as an intern Assistant Children's Choir Director for the 2009-2010 program year. She is currently enrolled at the College of Saint Rose in the Advanced Graduate Certification program in Music Education. She earned her B.A. in Voice from SUNY Fredonia and studied under the late Delia Wallis. Ms. Mackey was also a participant in the Schlern International Music Festival in the Italian Alps studying under Dr. Sheila Allen. Carolynn brings enormous enthusiasm to the Children's Choir as well as a solid foundation in vocal skills and knowledge.
New Robes for the Children's Choir
Thanks to the hard work of the children through a soup-making fundraiser and the generous matching bequest in the name of Doretta Ferber, the Children's Choir has new robes! The children wore the new robes for the first time on Christmas Eve.
Hear what parents are saying about the Children's Choir:
“My child learned more about music in a year of Children’s Choir than my older daughter did in a year of private lessons!”
“My daughter enjoys Children’s Choir so much that I can’t get her to sleep because she sings the choir songs late into the night!”
Special Events
Each year the members of the children’s choir are invited to attend certain special educational events. In 2009, these events included attending a concert given by the Young People’s Chorus of New York City and attending a concert at Tanglewood to hear Beethoven’s 9th Symphony. Also, the Children’s Choir participated in a Children’s Choir Festival in Eastern Massachusetts, where over 90 children were in attendance.
Only the best is good enough for a child. ~ Zoltán Kodály
The Children's Choir is open to children in grades 2-8, and sings for the church service about once a month. The 2009-2010 choir season began Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009, and runs through Sunday, June 20, 2010. There is open enrollment through October, and then again in the month of January. The Children’s Choir meets on Tuesdays from 3-5 p.m. in the Rose Room.
Emphasis is placed on the enjoyment of music, proper singing technique, and the development of music reading skills. This choir sings a wide range of repertoire including standard classical anthems, spirituals, hymn arrangements, and plainchant. There is a $15 materials fee per semester. The Children’s Choir is directed by Maury A. Castro.
The Children’s Choir maintains the following schedule:
3:00 - 3:40 p.m.: School homework or quiet reading3:40 - 3:50 p.m.: Healthy snack and break3:50 - 4:10 p.m.: Choir rehearsal including vocal technique4:10 - 4:20 p.m.: Music notes and symbols instruction4:20 - 4:50 p.m.: Choir rehearsal4:50 - 5:00 p.m.: Recreation
Please download, print, and submit the following registration forms to enroll your child in the fall semester of the Children’s Choir after-school program. You may also request hard copies of these forms from the Music Ministries office.
Downloadable forms:
Children's Choir Regisration Form
Children's Choir Medical Form
Children's Choir Picture Use Permission Form
Children's Choir Medical Form
Children's Choir Picture Use Permission Form
If you know a child who wants to be in the Children’s Choir, please contact choirmaster Maury A. Castro at:
