Children's Christmas Eve Choir and Readers For Christmas Eve Mass
Although choir singing is still unsafe due to COVID-19, we are selecting a VERY small number of children (eight or fewer) currently in 3rd to 8th grades to lead singing (masked) at this year’s Children’s Eve Mass (English) at 4:00pm on Friday, December 24. We are sorry that it is necessary to limit the numbers. For safety reasons, we will only have two (REQUIRED) rehearsals, and they will be held in spaces with good air circulation. During Mass on Christmas Eve, the children will be spaced out in the choir area. All will be required to wear masks while singing. Microphones will be allocated for each child (no sharing).
SINGERS: If your child – currently in 3rd to 8th grade – is interested in participating, please send Patty Smith a video of your child singing for at least one minute to psmith@stthomastheapostle.org.
If you have more than one child, please send a separate video for each child.
READERS: If your child would like to be considered as a reader at the Christmas Eve Children’s Mass, send a video of your child reading aloud to ssenecal@stthomastheapostle.org.Readers will only attend one rehearsal (see schedule on next page).
Timing
Monday, November 8, 12:00pm (noon) | Deadline for video submissions. Include child’s name, child’s grade level (grades 3-8 only), parents’ phone number(s) and email address(es). Reading: ssenecal@stthomastheapostle.org |
Tuesday, November 9 | Email to parents, letting them know if their child was chosen to be one of the song leaders or readers. |
Wednesday, November 10 | Lyrics/recordings emailed to parents of the song leaders. Children are expected to learn the music before the first rehearsal by practicing with the recordings. Readings emailed to parents of the readers. |
Thursday, November 11 | Patty Smith will be unavailable for at least two weeks because of back surgery. |
Monday, December 13, 6:30-7:30pm in the Tuesday, December 21, 6:30-8:00pm in the Main Sanctuary | SINGER REHEARSALS: There will be TWO rehearsals. Children must attend BOTH rehearsals, arriving on time. |
Tuesday, December 21, 5:30-6:30pm in the Main Sanctuary | READER REHEARSAL: There will be one rehearsal for readers. Arrive on time. |
Friday, December 24 – 3:30pm | Arrive promptly for Mass. We will sing a prelude before Mass begins at 4:00pm. |
We are sad that we cannot yet continue our tradition of a large, joyful children’s choir for Christmas. By implementing this approach with a limited number of singers, we at least benefit from hearing the voices of children this Christmastime. Continue to pray for an end to the pandemic. Peace.
