AUBURN - The world revolved around their voices, in song and in words Thursday night.
Angela Kershner / The Citizen
First-graders sing the American folk hymn “Sing of Mary” as sixth graders Teresa Moore, as the angel Gabriel, and Mariah McIntosh, as the Virgin Mary, act out part of the nativity story. The second-graders wait for their turn during the St. Joseph's School concert, “An International Celebration of Christmas” at St. Alphonsus Church in Auburn Thursday.
First-graders sing the American folk hymn “Sing of Mary” as sixth graders Teresa Moore, as the angel Gabriel, and Mariah McIntosh, as the Virgin Mary, act out part of the nativity story. The second-graders wait for their turn during the St. Joseph's School concert, “An International Celebration of Christmas” at St. Alphonsus Church in Auburn Thursday.
But St. Joseph's School's “International Celebration of Christmas” performance proved, once again, that as big as the world is, it is not as large as a child's heart.
“It's fun, because we get to learn new songs about different places in the world,” said Max Hogan, a fourth-grader.
Moments later, he stood with his classmates before the altar at St. Alphonsus Church and lifted the carols of such places as South Africa, Poland, and the Caribbean, with harmonies as sweet as candy canes.
Max, who has sung in the Auburn school choir for three years, added that by singing in the annual Christmas presentations, he has also learned, through the words of the carols and scripture, the true meaning of Christmas.
“It's fun and it's happy, that it's Christ's birthday,” he said. “My faith is good.”
That is exactly the result Karen Hindenlang, director of music at the school, hopes for when she works with the nearly 140 choir members, grades first through fifth, along with student instrumentalists who span through eighth grade.
Disregarding generic Christmas choir programs that many schools adopt, ten years ago, Hindenlang conceived of an original program, intertwining faith-based subjects the children learn in class with the carols she chooses.
With each successive year, she has crafted a thematic presentation, provoking a Christmas spirit amongst the students that finds spiritual meaning strung happily, like garland, between all the other traditional decorations of the holiday. And judging by this year's performance, her attention to vocal performance can be just as dazzling.
“They are learning about singing songs about God all the time. This performance is the culmination of that. The children think of this as a birthday present for Jesus,” Hindenlang said.
“I integrate the program with my teaching, and it showcases their abilities. And they take great spiritual pride in their performance - it's very strong, in a personal sense. They'll also tell you it's fun. Tonight they're in church, they're in God's house.”
With every pew filled with family members, who rose sporadically to look over heads in order to locate where their loved one was situated in the choir, the church was definitely a home for the faithful. Even those with no family ties would have had a hard time not enjoying the children, who sang with lungs full of emotion, or softly when need be - but seemingly always on key.
Between the music, were thoughtful scriptures, read with sincerity, by children from the altar, which was adorned with twin lighted Christmas trees.
“I love it! I love the spiritual hymns - and the fact they're from all over the world, brings home the message of the universal meaning of Christmas. It brings proper honor of our Lord's birth in Bethlehem,” said Marianne Sabine, of Auburn, who was there to listen to her children: Brigid, a fifth grader, Annie, a third grader and Joey, in first grade.
“They sound powerful,” she said, of the choir. “Ms. Hindenlang can get these kids singing, like nobody else I know.”
Meanwhile, from the choir, musical notes weren't deterred from the message of the evening.
“Let us worship God! Let us worship God! Let us worship God!” they sang in perfect harmony.
“It's fun, because we get to learn new songs about different places in the world,” said Max Hogan, a fourth-grader.
Moments later, he stood with his classmates before the altar at St. Alphonsus Church and lifted the carols of such places as South Africa, Poland, and the Caribbean, with harmonies as sweet as candy canes.
Max, who has sung in the Auburn school choir for three years, added that by singing in the annual Christmas presentations, he has also learned, through the words of the carols and scripture, the true meaning of Christmas.
“It's fun and it's happy, that it's Christ's birthday,” he said. “My faith is good.”
That is exactly the result Karen Hindenlang, director of music at the school, hopes for when she works with the nearly 140 choir members, grades first through fifth, along with student instrumentalists who span through eighth grade.
Disregarding generic Christmas choir programs that many schools adopt, ten years ago, Hindenlang conceived of an original program, intertwining faith-based subjects the children learn in class with the carols she chooses.
With each successive year, she has crafted a thematic presentation, provoking a Christmas spirit amongst the students that finds spiritual meaning strung happily, like garland, between all the other traditional decorations of the holiday. And judging by this year's performance, her attention to vocal performance can be just as dazzling.
“They are learning about singing songs about God all the time. This performance is the culmination of that. The children think of this as a birthday present for Jesus,” Hindenlang said.
“I integrate the program with my teaching, and it showcases their abilities. And they take great spiritual pride in their performance - it's very strong, in a personal sense. They'll also tell you it's fun. Tonight they're in church, they're in God's house.”
With every pew filled with family members, who rose sporadically to look over heads in order to locate where their loved one was situated in the choir, the church was definitely a home for the faithful. Even those with no family ties would have had a hard time not enjoying the children, who sang with lungs full of emotion, or softly when need be - but seemingly always on key.
Between the music, were thoughtful scriptures, read with sincerity, by children from the altar, which was adorned with twin lighted Christmas trees.
“I love it! I love the spiritual hymns - and the fact they're from all over the world, brings home the message of the universal meaning of Christmas. It brings proper honor of our Lord's birth in Bethlehem,” said Marianne Sabine, of Auburn, who was there to listen to her children: Brigid, a fifth grader, Annie, a third grader and Joey, in first grade.
“They sound powerful,” she said, of the choir. “Ms. Hindenlang can get these kids singing, like nobody else I know.”
Meanwhile, from the choir, musical notes weren't deterred from the message of the evening.
“Let us worship God! Let us worship God! Let us worship God!” they sang in perfect harmony.
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