The Chorister_Spring 2026

Spring 2026 | March-May

R E S O U R C E S

Volume 78 | Issue 3

F O R

M U S I C

Choristers Guild welcomes Andrea Pelloquin as Executive Director

M I N I S T R Y

2026 FACULTY

Heather Potter

JULY 13-16, 2026 BRENTWOOD UNITED METHODIST CHURCH (NEAR NASHVILLE, TN)

Vincent Oakes

Katie Houts Choristers Guild Sacred Choral & Curriculum Editor

Emily Floyd Choristers Guild Institute Co-Director

The Choristers Guild Institute training process is designed to strengthen directors’ musical and instructional skills, equipping them to effectively integrate children in worship. Graduates become part of a close and supportive nationwide network of Institute alumni.

“Choristers Guild Institute is so much more than a music conference. Along with music-focused classes like vocal pedagogy and conducting, participants explore the other key pieces of a vibrant music ministry – worship and rehearsal planning, effective leadership, program-building, and more. Whether you’re a volunteer director or someone with an advanced degree, everyone finds a warm welcome at the Choristers Guild Institute.

We return to our unique ministries feeling called, capable, and connected to a community of lifelong Choristers Guild Institute friends.”

Katie Houts Choristers Guild Sacred Choral and Curriculum Editor

REGISTER TODAY

CHORISTERSGUILD.ORG/CGI Karol Kimmell Choristers Guild Institute Co-Director

James Wells 2026 Choristers Guild Institute Host

If you have questions about the Institute, contact us at institute@choristersguild.org

Choristers Guild Staff

Spring 2026 | March-May

Contents 2

From the Editor

by Amy Farnell, The Chorister Editor

3

President’s Note

by Elizabeth Shepley, Choristers Guild Board President

4

From the Executive Director

by Andrea J. Pelloquin

5

Puzzles and Pretzels

by Katie Houts, Sacred Choral and Curriculum Editor

7

8

Anthem Feature: CGA1795 Open the Gates Hal H. Hopson, ed. Katie Houts | Unison/two-part treble

by Katie Houts Trauma-Informed Teaching in the Choral Rehearsal Space Sarah T. Tullock Webinar Recap by Amy Farnell

ANDREA J. PELLOQUIN Executive Director apelloquin@choristersguild.org KATIE HOUTS Sacred Choral & Curriculum Editor khouts@choristersguild.org VICTOR C. JOHNSON School Choral Editor vjohnson@choristersguild.org KATHY LOWRIE Handbell & Instrumental Editor Graphic Designer klowrie@choristersguild.org CORY CURVIN Director of Operations & Outreach ccurvin@choristersguild.org KAROL KIMMELL AND EMILY FLOYD Choristers Guild Institute Directors institute@choristersguild.org COLLEEN OATES Director of Royalties & Licensing coates@choristersguild.org KATHRYN MILLS Sales & Customer Service Manager kmills@choristersguild.org MEREDITH SMITH Marketing & Development Manager msmith@choristersguild.org

10 Quiet Moments – Part 3 of 4

by Pamela Vandewalker

CHRIS WELCH Manager of Supply Chain cwelch@choristersguild.org

16 Upcoming Choristers Guild Events

AMY FARNELL Permissions Associate The Chorister Editor afarnell@choristersguild.org

18 Tips from the One License Team Answers to common questions about licensing 19 Children’s Choir Devotionals

by Heather Harman, Michael Schaner, and Choristers Guild Staff 26 Covenant Society 27 List of 2025 Contributors 28 Supporting Our Mission

GO ONLINE WITH CHORISTERS GUILD Explore members-only resources, including recorded webinars and past issues of The Chorister. If you can't log in as a member, go to “Member Log-in” and follow the prompts to retrieve your user name/password. www.choristersguild.org Watch video previews of Choristers Guild music, perfect for selecting new music or for choristers to use in practice. www.youtube.com/c/choristersguild Connect with other members, share ideas and get info on special offers and new music. www.facebook.com/choristersguild Find advice, inspiration and resources for choral leaders. www.instagram.com/choristersguild/

CHORISTERS GUILD 12404 Park Central Dr. Ste. 100-S Dallas, TX 75251-1802 800.246.7478 or 469.398.3606 www.choristersguild.org The Chorister is published quarterly.

Choristers Guild is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit, religious and educational corporation chartered under the laws of the State of Tennessee.

EIN 95-1921157

Board of Directors

From the Editor

ELIZABETH SHEPLEY President Northfield, MN

BY AMY FARNELL THE CHORISTER EDITOR

DR. MEG GRANUM GURTCHEFF President Elect Johns Creek, GA DR. TODD ARANT Past President Apex, NC BETH DRAKE, CPA (RETIRED) Secretary-Treasurer La Crescenta, CA DR. ANTON ARMSTRONG Northfield, MN DANA EFFLER Dallas, TX DR. ERIC POSADA San Angelo, TX KELLY WEBSTER Northfield, MN DR. ANDREA J. PELLOQUIN Executive Director Dallas, TX

Past Board Presidents DR. TODD ARANT DR. ANTON E. ARMSTRONG DR. MADELINE S. BRIDGES DR. LARRY K. BALL DR. BETTY BEDSOLE JUDY A. BRITTS JOHN T. BURKE DR. RANDALL D. ENGLE TERRY GOOLSBY DR. C. MICHAEL HAWN DAVID HEIN JOHN D. HORMAN DR. MICHAEL JOTHEN TERI LARSON A. LEONARD LILYERS HELENCLAIR LOWE STEPHANIE MCILWAIN MILLER DR. HEATHER POTTER REV. BETH BROWN SHUGART DR. JOHN SUTTON DR. JOHN WITVLIET Material in this publication may not be reproduced in any form without permission, unless otherwise indicated.

The publisher assumes no responsibility for return and safety of artwork, photographs, or materials. Acceptance of advertising or rental of mailing list does not imply endorsement.

Happy Spring, Choristers!

As we begin this new year, we’re also celebrating new beginnings in the Choristers Guild family, welcoming our new executive director, Andrea Pelloquin, and new board president, Liz Shepley. You can learn more about them – by hearing directly from them – on the next two pages. These are exciting times for us and I am happy to be continuing Choristers Guild’s mission with them.

This issue of The Chorister features several favorites: Pamela Vandewalker’s Quiet Moments (part three of four) is on pages 10-15, which hopefully can provide a moment of calm and serenity amidst our crazy days; the One License team answers a very common question about video archiving on page 18; and our children’s choir devotionals are written this season by Heather Harman, Michael Schaner, and the Choristers Guild staff, and begin on page 19.

In January, I had the opportunity to attend Sarah T. Tullock’s webinar Trauma-Informed Teaching and Mindfulness in the Choral Setting, and I was moved by her work, which I write about in an article on pages 8–9. Sarah’s approach focuses not only on the effects that big trauma can have, but also on the everyday loads we all carry at varying levels, and how to work with them in the rehearsal space. So much for all of us to learn! Finally, Katie Houts’s column on page 5 feels like an especially poignant reminder of how essential community is in our lives. What a sweet story, I hope you enjoy the read!

HAVE YOUR WORK FEATURED IN AN ISSUE OF THE CHORISTER. Have you written a great teaching activity, lesson, or choral warm-up that you would like to share? Simply send your original* items to afarnell@choristersguild.org and we will consider them for use in a future issue of The Chorister. *All work must be original. Please do not send copyrighted materials.

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President’s Note

BY ELIZABETH SHEPLEY, CHORISTERS GUILD BOARD PRESIDENT

Dear Friends of Choristers Guild, It is with great enthusiasm that I write to you at a pivotal moment in the life of our organization. We are entering a new era— one defined by renewed commitment and a clear, forward-looking vision to enable leaders to nurture the musical and spiritual growth of children, youth, and adults.

Leading Choristers Guild into this dynamic future is our newly appointed Executive Director, Dr. Andrea Pelloquin. With her distinctive blend of publishing and teaching experience, artistic insight, and organizational leadership, Dr. Pelloquin is uniquely suited to guide the Guild with focus, integrity, and purpose as we continue to evolve.

At the core of this work is our conviction that music, in all its forms, is a powerful catalyst for artistic excellence, community connection, and spiritual and cultural expression. In support of this belief, Choristers Guild continues to offer robust educational and leadership development opportunities, including webinars, workshops, festivals, and the Choristers Guild Institute—our signature training program dedicated to equipping leaders of children’s and youth choirs. Alongside these learning opportunities, we remain deeply committed to publishing highquality sacred and secular choral music, as well as handbell and instrumental repertoire, supported by a wide array of educational resources such as books, curricula, musicals, practice recordings, and liturgical guidance for choir leaders.

powerful means to amplify your work and enrich your programs.

Members gain access to outstanding musical resources and newly commissioned compositions, seasonal music packets, practical tools for performance and education, and opportunities to engage with a growing network of artists and institutions committed to musical excellence. Whether your focus is sacred repertoire, secular works, or the meaningful intersection of the two, these resources are designed to support and inspire your mission.

This is an invitation to be part of something larger—a forward-looking community that honors Choristers Guild’s seventy-six year dedication to its mission while actively shaping what lies ahead. Together, we can elevate the role of music in our churches, schools, concert halls, and communities, ensuring it remains vibrant, relevant, and transformative for generations to come.

We are entering a new era— one defined by renewed commitment and a clear, forward-looking vision…

Thank you for your continued support, your artistry, and your belief in the power of music. I look forward to all that we will accomplish together.

With sincere appreciation,

Central to this effort is our revitalized membership program. Membership is not simply a way to stay connected—it is a Spring 2026 | March-May | thechorister | 3

From the Executive Director

BY ANDREA J. PELLOQUIN

What a joy to be writing my first column for The Chorister! I am honored to be charged with the responsibility to lead Choristers Guild into the future, and I look forward to meeting many of you at events around the country in the years to come.

I am honored to be charged with the responsibility to lead Choristers Guild into the future, and I look forward to meeting many of you at events around the country in the years to come.

I’d like to share a little about myself, and why I see Choristers Guild as a perfect fit. I was raised in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and was a church musician from a very young age (my mother was the choir director and Director of Liturgy for our church). I’ve been a church instrumentalist, a choir member, a choir director, an accompanist, and a vocalist over the years. I’ve tried worshiping from the pews, but find it difficult! I know my true worship style is through music. I’m also a teacher. I taught public school band for three years, and piano and flute lessons for twenty-plus years after that.

I love working with students of all ages, and have always worked in some area that supports music education.

On top of that, my business passion is print music publishing. I’ve worked for several publishers and retailers in the educational space, and I look forward to bringing those experiences here to grow and expand on what we’re already doing with great success.

Finally, my most recent hobby-turnedcareer has been my law practice. I went to law school during the pandemic

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and passed the bar exam in 2024. My practice area is copyright and trademark law – a perfect fit with what we do at Choristers Guild. Use me as a resource and bring me your questions. I went to school to help people understand copyright law and how to make it work for them, so let’s get to it!

Truly, I feel called to this role in this specific organization. I see so much potential in the things that we do here and the talented staff, teachers, composers, and board that make this organization work. I’m excited to get to work and see what we can accomplish.

Most importantly, thank you, wonderful members, for your support over the years! We couldn’t do this without you.

We look forward to bringing you more of the great resources you have come to expect, plus so much more. Onward to a fantastic 2026!

Puzzles and Pretzels

BY KATIE HOUTS, SACRED CHORAL AND CURRICULUM EDITOR One of my favorite moments each week is spent with my community children’s choir (ages 6-13). Our fall rehearsals prepare us for a series of holiday concerts. This year, we ended our concert series in a beautiful Presbyterian church a few blocks from downtown Salt Lake; this was the highlight of the season for me. It was a gorgeous space to sing in. The choir looked and sounded fantastic, and I could sense they felt proud.

it was finally time to gather my singers. Eighty wonderful children had been happily busy for over two hours, strengthening bonds over games of Apples to Apples and creating their own plays and magic acts in a corner of the band room. Meanwhile, I watched the clock tick and worried about our impending performance which was definitely past the bedtime of half my choir!

When we came back together in the new year, I asked the singers to think about the places we sang. “Did you have a favorite?” I asked. A few of them liked the treelighting the best, and a few answered the market. A couple others enjoyed Temple Square, particularly because of its significance to their faith.

But the vast majority of children chose a different venue - a local high school - where we’d spent the evening at an interfaith community concert.

We took the stage shortly after 9pm, and I saw my fair share of yawns, dress twirls, and glazed looks on the risers. Was it our most musical performance? Not by a long shot. And still - most children recalled this as their favorite experience.

Why? “Because I got to know friends that I hadn’t known before,” said one of my oldest choir members (a 7th grader).

Our call time was 5:30 for the 7:00pm concert. We checked everyone’s wardrobe, warmed up, and did a quick soundcheck on stage before returning to our green room. Our choir was last on the program, but we’d come prepared with games, activities, and snacks - and singers began self-selecting groups.

Each concert act was only singing 1-2 pieces (no intermission), so we estimated that we would need to get the children focused around 8pm. I went backstage at 7:45 to check the concert’s progress - to find that we hadn’t even reached the halfway point. I checked again at 8:15. Then at 8:30. At 8:45pm,

“Because I got to make a play with her (pointing across the row to another singer)!”

“Because we finished our puzzle!”

Thanks be to God for the gift of music, and for the chance to create it with the choir friends beside us.

My friends, making music in community is a precious gift. And being in a choir together is often more than the musical experience - it’s about being included and seen by others who love music, too. Perhaps our performance at the Presbyterian church sounded particularly terrific because we’d spent the previous weekend bonding backstage over puzzles and pretzels.

Thanks be to God for the gift of music, and for the chance to create it with the choir friends beside us.

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FAITH FORMATION RESOURCE CGC74 Worship and Wonder, Vol. 2: Story, Song, and Ritual for Preschoolers

by Mark Burrows

Nurture the faith of young children with this all-in-one worship resource of twelve curated experiences that provide a dependable routine of song, movement, prayer, story and other ritual elements. (Each experience is designed to be about 10 minutes long.)

This resource provides a year’s worth of monthly worship experiences alongside a helpful introduction for leaders and sixteen songs with piano accompaniment and chords for guitar or ukulele. Through gentle and sacred ritual, Worship and Wonder helps young children understand how dear they are and helps them see that they are part of a loving faith community.

Also Available: CGC71 Worship and Wonder, Volume 1

CHOIR CURRICULUM CGBK89 A Year of Beautiful Singing, Vol. 2: Addressing the Basics

by Heather Potter

This curriculum for ages 7-12 was created with ministry leaders in mind – the part-time staff member, the volunteer director, the full-time staff member wearing many hats – the one who has a large heart for the value of the church children’s choir, but limited time to give.

This resource provides the tools you need, including: • 24 sequenced lesson plans • Complete teaching sequences for eight unison/two-part choral anthems, including rehearsal objectives, warmups and vocal technique exercises • Visual aids and an appendix of articles to enrich the skills of the director Addressing the Basics is the second volume in the A Year of Beautiful Singing series. The second year’s thematic content focuses on the basics of music-making in a choral setting, including pitch matching, recognition/demonstration of musical terms, and responding to basic rhythmic notation.

Also Available: CGBK88 A Year of Beautiful Singing, Vol. 1

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Anthem Feature

Open the Gates Hal H. Hopson, ed. Katie Houts

CGA1795 Unison/two-part any voice with piano with optional handbells and congregation

CGA1795 Open the Gates FROM THE CHORISTERS GUILD CATALOG USES & TIPS BY KATIE HOUTS

Open the Gates

Hal H. Hopson, ed. Katie Houts | CGA1795 | Unison/two-part with piano and optional congregation and handbells DESCRIPTION AND IDEAS FOR USE To celebrate the incredible life and legacy of Hal Hopson, Choristers Guild published a new edition of Open the Gates in our latest spring choral release. Hal wrote over 3,000 works over the course of his career. That’s not a typo - three thousand works! I had the pleasure of working with Hal on a number of his recent Choristers Guild anthems, and I remember receiving his meticulously neat handwritten manuscripts. Always a champion of the assembly’s song, with a commitment to write accessible music for all ages, countless churches and church choirs no doubt have many Hopson anthems in their music libraries.

www.choristersguild.org

Choristers Guild is a 501c3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to enable leaders to nurture the musical and spiritual growth of children, youth, and adults.

Originally published in 1993, this musical paraphrase of Psalm 24 is a wonderful selection for Palm Sunday - and, as is the case with other Palm Sunday anthems which contain themes of welcoming the King - can also be used during the season of Advent. The original publication was scored for unison/two-part voices with piano and three optional handbells.

In honor of Hal’s dedication to congregational song, this new edition of Open the Gates features a congregational refrain (and reproducible page for your bulletin) with a fuller piano accompaniment to support those additional voices, as well as an expanded handbell part to involve a handbell choir. This new edition also includes a new, optional text for Easter:

We give thanks to God for Hal’s life and faithful witness.

Alleluia! Alleluia! Jesus is risen and we shall arise!

Darkness is scattered away by the light of the new Easter day!

Our Savior lives, he is mighty to save.

The Lord of hosts is this wonderful King.

Lift up your hearts and rejoice, for God has done marvelous things!

Go tell the news: Christ is risen indeed!

God’s love prevails and has conquered the grave!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Jesus is risen and we shall arise!

We give thanks to God for Hal’s life and faithful witness. Whether our choirs are singing from worn copies of The Gift of Love, Hal’s reduced choral edition of the Hallelujah Chorus, or crisp copies of this new edition of Open the Gates, we are blessed with memorable melodies that help us hold scripture close to our hearts.

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Trauma-Informed Teaching in the Choral Rehearsal Space RECAP OF WEBINAR BY SARAH T. TULLOCK | JANUARY 15, 2026

BY AMY FARNELL

Sarah T. Tullock

“The ways we assist with co-regulation in our choirs directly impact biological and behavioral experiences in our rehearsal spaces.”

In her January webinar Trauma-Informed Teaching and Mindfulness in the Choral Setting, educator and conductor Sarah T. Tullock invited participants to consider leading rehearsals with greater awareness of the nervous system – their own and those of their singers. She offered so much information to help conductors better understand behavior, in order to support and encourage singers in the rehearsal space.

At the top of the webinar, Sarah recalled receiving extensive musical and pedagogical training to become a choral educator. However, once she got into the classroom, she realized she hadn’t received any guidance in understanding the nervous system dynamics of herself and others. She explained, “We, as choral educators, often aren’t taught to think of it as an integral part of what we should tend to in our work at the podium. The ways we assist with co-regulation in our choirs directly impact biological and behavioral experiences in our rehearsal spaces.” While co-regulation is typically thought of from adult to child, Sarah explained it also happens the same amount from adult to adult.

Singers of all ages mirror the emotional and physiological cues of the conductor.

Growing an awareness of what one unintentionally sends out from the podium can affect the whole experience of the choir, and being mindful and curious about the various behaviors of singers, is just as important as the musical elements that happen in the rehearsal space. Just as we may know we bring our own sense of being to the rehearsal space, everyone else does too, with their varying experiences and capabilities – physically, emotionally, and mentally. One of my favorite charts of the webinar was the window of tolerance: a model to help visualize the differences between individuals as it relates to their capacities when confronted with stress.

Sarah explained, “If someone is carrying more – or more intense – levels of ongoing trauma or stress from adverse experiences, then their window of tolerance, and their availability to deal with daily stressors that come from normal daily life, is going to be less than somebody who has not been confronted with as many traumatic experiences or doesn’t have that ongoing experience of trauma that’s really overwhelming their nervous system. That person is going to have a bigger window of tolerance for your garden-variety daily stressors, the things that naturally make life a little bit difficult.” She emphasized that this window can vary widely from person to person. And rehearsals

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TRAUMA-INFORMED TEACHING AND THE CHORAL REHEARSAL SPACE can cause singers stress – there is time pressure, performance anxiety, unfamiliar repertoire; some singers have more capacity to absorb those same demands than others.

Other than just being a handy visual for learning to have empathy for those around us, this chart can also shift how conductors interpret what they see from the podium.

Rather than viewing disengagement, resistance, or emotional reactivity as a lack of motivation or discipline, the window of tolerance invites leaders to “shift judgment to curiosity” (a phrase Sarah shared from the Crisis and Trauma Response Institute).

For example asking, What might this singer’s nervous system be responding to in this moment?

“We are asking our singers to take risks; creativity is a risk!”

Recognizing windows of tolerance can lead directly to making different rehearsal choices. “We are asking our singers to take risks; creativity is a risk! How can we help them feel more comfortable?” Sarah outlined a range of trauma-informed rehearsal strategies, to help conductors create conditions that support regulation, safety, and trust – conditions that benefit all singers. These strategies can help create environments in which singers are more confident in taking the creative risks that vulnerable music-making requires.

Trauma-informed rehearsal strategies, Sarah emphasized, are not remedial or reactive. They are foundational tools for building choirs that are safe, responsive, and resilient, for creating spaces where singers can engage fully, musically and humanly.

Sarah also shared mindfulness prompts to help bring individuals back into the present moment when stressed, such as right before a performance. For example, asking singers to name three things they can see, hear, or feel right now. Over time, she said these practices can support greater self-efficacy – the sense of “I can meet what’s in front of me right now.” Similarly she shared some Internal Questions to Activate Teacher/ Conductor Mindfulness and Curiosity such as “Why does the rehearsal space feel this way?” and “In this moment, what is within my control and what is not?”

Trauma Informed Rehearsals Might Include • Predictable/trustworthy rehearsal structures – patterns are comforting on an elemental level.

• Comfortable, singer-focused pacing (emotional, musical, physical).

• Smooth transitions/connections between pieces of music within the rehearsal.

• Genuine opportunities for chorister contribution, expression, and choice (this is also central to Paulo Freires’ philosophy in his “Pegagogy of the Oppressed”).

• Empowerment – helping choristers to consistently engage their strengths when approaching new material.

• Transparent and trustworthy communication practices.

Overall the webinar was fascinating and loaded with • Cultural awareness and responsiveness in all information I had never heard before. I appreciated capacities. the opportunity to learn about this important topic and receive a toolbelt of questions for mindfulness, which • Mind/body connection woven throughout the rehearsal experience. undoubtedly will help in my daily life to be more aware of things that cause behavior issues in those around me.

Sarah said that she is very happy if anyone would like to email and talk about this topic. Her email is ComposerGurl1@pm.me. Thank you Sarah for the enlightening conversation, and I hope there will be another webinar like this soon!

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Quiet Moments

BY PAMELA VANDEWALKER A SERIES, PART 3 OF 4

Listening is a critical skill for developing musicians and deep spiritual saints. Simply stated, listening is a practice of focused attention.

Spiritually, God desires us to listen... to still our hearts and minds and focus on Him. Indeed, one of the most important disciplines in the Christian life is listening to God and spending quiet time with Him. Isaiah 30:15 says, “Quiet is the way to our hearts. In quietness and trust, shall be your strength.”

Indeed, one of the most important disciplines in the Christian life is listening to God and spending quiet time with Him.

Scot McKnight suggests, as quoted in Adam S. McHugh’s The Listening Life, “The word ‘listen’ appears in the Bible over 1,500 times and the most frequently voiced complaint in the Bible is that the people don’t listen. We do not hear from God because our lives are too loud. We must learn to wait, quietly and humbly, for God to make His mark on us. Listening to God requires slow movement and a quiet search.”

Importantly, many neurological studies demonstrate that our technology is reshaping our brains so that it not only seems more difficult to concentrate on one thing, it is harder to concentrate on one thing. Technology writer Linda Stone says that our brains seem stuck in “continuous partial attention.” If we are constantly about being active, then we are unable to listen for God’s divine whispers. To listen, we must be silent.

As children’s choir directors, we need a plan to explore deep quietness and practice silence, allowing our students to grow in spiritual discipline; that practice will overflow making better musicians! You can incorporate short times of quiet in your rehearsals – below are nine suggestions for short yet meaningful quiet times that offer a break in the course of rehearsal as well as an opportunity to grow spiritually. Some of these ideas contain video links; you can access the video via this QR code: tinyurl.com/quietmomentsvideos

If you don’t have video capacity, you could listen to the audio from the video and show still pictures. Use this QR code to access pictures: tinyurl.com/quietmomentspictures

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QUIET MOMENTS

Quiet Moments #19-27 *Please read our past issues to find the first 18 Quiet Moments.

Quiet Moment 19 Find more of God by touching stones, pinecones, or small twigs. Gather small nature items and silently distribute one to each child. Allow them to hold their item and carefully examine it by touching and looking at it, without talking.

Quietly say, “God is so wonderful and imaginative; all His creation points to Him. Say a prayer to God without talking – just thinking – thanking Him for creating You and the nature that is in your hand.”

Repeat Isaiah 6:3, “The whole earth is full of his great glory.”

Quietly sing “God is So Good” as you collect the nature items.

Quiet Moment 20 Quietly say, “I love to silently read God’s Words in the Bible but I also like to hear it read out loud. When listening to the spoken Scripture, I clear my mind and focus intently on the words. I stop thinking about my ‘to do’ things and try to imagine God looking in my eyes and speaking to me personally. Let’s be quiet and listen to God’s Words.”

Play Psalm 23 video (https://youtu.be/KaUJCD7tWoI) so that the music is heard.

After listening, quietly read this prayer by St. Patrick (389-461):

Christ be with me, Christ within me; Christ behind me, Christ before me; Christ beside me, Christ to win me; Christ to comfort and restore me;

When listening to the spoken Scripture, I clear my mind and focus intently on the words.

Christ beneath me, Christ above me; Christ in quiet and Christ in danger; Christ in hearts of all that love me Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

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QUIET MOMENTS Quiet Moment 21 Turn down the lights and read Psalm 131 in your whisper voice allowing ten seconds in between each verse and after the final verse for the Word to sink in.

1 Lord, I am not proud. I do not think that I am a great person.

I do not try to do great things.

I do not worry about things that are too hard for me to understand.

Yes, I have peace in my mind…

2 Instead, I am quiet and there is peace in my mind.

I am like a young child who sits on his mother’s knee.

Yes, I have peace in my mind.

3 Trust the Lord to help you, now and forever.

Quiet Moment 22 Share this story from I Samuel 17:34-36: “David learned a lot about God when he was camping out and taking care of his father’s sheep. During the day he saw how God created the bright yellow sun, blue sky, green grass and all the birds in the sky. At night, he witnessed God’s hand feeling cool breezes and seeing star-lit nights. David cared for sheep. David watched out for animals like lions or bears that might take the sheep away from him.”

Now say, “Just the way David watched over his sheep, God watched over David and provided care for him. God will always care and protect you, too. David may have written a very famous Psalm, or song, as he cared for his sheep. Pretend to be sheep sleeping for the night and don’t say a word as we quietly listen to God’s Word.”

Play the Psalm 23 video (https://youtu.be/KaUJCD7tWoI) so the scripture is heard aloud, or quietly read Psalm 23, showing Quiet Moment 22 grassland pictures 1 & 2.

Close quietly saying this prayer:

Lord, Thank You that You are trustworthy.

We can always depend on You. Jesus, help us to lean into You and trust You more and more.

Amen.

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QUIET MOMENTS Quiet Moment 23 Quietly read Psalm 16:8, “I will always trust the Lord to be with me. He is very near to me; so, I will not be upset.”

Ask the students to softly repeat each of the following lines after you: God is here; (children repeat) He is very near. (children repeat) Close by my side, (children repeat) So, I will not be upset. (children repeat) Next, breathe in and say, “God is here.” (children repeat) Breathe out saying, “Close by my side.” (children repeat) Breathe in softly saying, “God is near.” (children repeat) Breathe out saying, “I will rest in God.” (children repeat) Amen.

Quiet Moment 24 Quietly say, “When we put away phones and screens, it’s easier to see God. Without screens, you can stop and think about Him and His goodness and greatness; you can pause. We all need to learn where our own personal pause buttons are within us.

We all need to learn where our own personal pause buttons are within us.

Sometimes worry and anger can creep into our minds. Other times, the desire to finish playing a game or watching a movie can become fixed in our minds. We can turn to God’s word to help us ‘hit pause’ on anxious thoughts or device fixations.

2 Corinthians 10:5 says, “We capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ.”

Instruct, “Right now let’s hit pause and push stop. Be still before God. Calm your mind. Ask God to take away all thoughts except Him. God is good; God is kind; God is love; God cares.” Be still for 15 additional seconds.”

Close quietly saying this prayer:

O God, give me a life full of You. Help me to take things calmly and not get into a panic when things go wrong.

Keep me calm and steady, eyes fixed on You. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Spring 2026 | March-May | thechorister | 13

QUIET MOMENTS Quiet Moment 25 Softly say, “Sometimes, our lives are just too loud! We need to take time to be quiet and listen with big ears to hear from God because He is always speaking. When you are still and quiet, you can also remember songs and scriptures from the Bible.

Listening to God is ‘taking Jesus with you’ always.”

Jesus is always at your fingertips if you just keep Him in your thoughts.

Instruct, “Slowly tap the index finger of your right hand to the wrist of your left, ten times.”

Remind, “Jesus is always at your fingertips if you just keep Him in your thoughts.”

Close quietly saying this prayer: God of this quiet moment, Still our minds; Help us to fix our thoughts on you.

Holy Spirit, Put Your words and songs in our minds and Help us recall them just when needed to quiet ourselves.

Amen.

Quiet Moment 26 Quietly say, “Let’s pause right now and make space for God. Be quiet before Him.” Read Zephaniah 3:17, “The Lord your God is in your midst, a Mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by his love; He will exult over you with loud singing.”

Say, “Imagine people from many different countries – like China, Kenya, or Germany – all thinking about God’s greatness and sitting in complete silence as God sings over them. These people must be quiet before God to hear His voice. Listen as I softly say the word ‘quiet’ in many different languages and imagine people in each country sitting in silent worship before our Holy God.”

14 | thechorister | Spring 2026 | March-May

QUIET MOMENTS Close quietly saying this prayer: Lord, In this quietness we remember, You give Hope, Peace, and Forgiveness.

You are such a big God. The whole world stands amazed by You. We silently give full attention to You, Our God Who rules over all. Amen.

Quiet Moment 27 Use slinky or a spring to visually show rest and quiet. Play some quiet music and gently say, “A spring is an elastic spiral of metal that stretches when you pull it and goes back to its first shape when you let it go.”

Demonstrate your spring working as you continue, “A spring gets longer when stress is applied but when stress is removed it goes back to its original length.

Our lives can be like this spring – when we get anxious, stressed, or worried, we can tense up because we are thinking of all the things that upset us. But, when we quietly think about our Strong, Great and Big God, we relax and can enjoy rest and quiet with Him.” Say, “Let’s sit quietly for 10 seconds and think about our Big Loving God.” Close quietly saying this prayer: Speak to us, Lord, We want to find Rest, quiet and strength That comes from You Deep inside of us. Amen.

Look for the final installment of Quiet Moments by Pamela Vandewalker in the upcoming issue of our magazine vol 78!

When we quietly think about our Strong, Great and Big God, we relax and can enjoy rest and quiet with Him.

Pamela Vandewalker has served at churches in Missouri and Texas and is presently a full-time Minister of Worship Programming and Kids Music serving a congregation of over 7,000 active worshipers and 700 kids involved in Kids Music in Georgia. She is passionate about leading all generations in authentic, meaningful worship. Pamela earned Magna Cum Laude undergraduate and graduate degrees from Houston Baptist University and the University of Missouri-Kansas City, respectively and is Orff Level 3 certified. She is the author of more than forty books and children’s musicals, including the Dove Award winning, “God Made Me Special”, and has served with a variety of publishing houses as a creative arts, devotional, and curriculum writer for worship, drama, and children’s music.

Spring 2026 | March-May | thechorister | 15

Upcoming Choristers Guild Events Houston Chapter Children and Youth Choir Festival April 19, 2026 First Presbyterian Church of Houston Houston, TX The Houston chapter of Choristers Guild will host its 2026 Children and Youth Choir Festival on Sunday, April 19, inviting choirs from K-6th and 6th-12th grades.

Clinicians Katie Houts (Children’s Choir) and J.R. Smith (Youth Choir) Schedule 2:00pm Registration 2:30pm Rehearsals begin 5:00pm Worship featuring the children’s and youth Choirs Katie Houts

Repertoire Combined Repertoire Sizohamba Naye - arr. Terry D. Taylor (CGA1250) - SATB + Unison Choir Children’s Choir My Faith’s Got Shoes - Mark Burrows (CGA1754) - Two-part Take This Light - Mark Patterson (CGA1776) - Unison Welcome Song - Toni Sullivan (CGA1700) - Unison Youth Choir Come, Thou Fount - Marianne Forman (CGA1743) - SAB Elijah Rock - arr. Victor C. Johnson (CGE384) - Three-part Mixed A New Way - Mark Burrows (CGE504) – SAB

J.R. Smith

For registration, go to: choristersguild.org/events

CHORAL SERIES

My Faith’s Got Shoes Mark Burrows

CGA1754 Two-part with piano and optional conga and shakers

Sizohamba Naye (We Will Walk with God)

My Faith’s Got Shoes

CGE384

Come, Thou Fount

Also available: SSA (CGE385)

Three-part Mixed

Elijah Rock Arranged by

Victor C. Johnson

Victor C. Johnson

We Sing the World Round

CGE504

CGA1743 SAB with piano

edited by

Come, Thou Fount Marianne Forman

CGA1250 Unison choir with SATB choir, piano and opt. percussion

distinctive choral music for classroom, concert and festival

Sizohamba Naye (We Will Walk with God) Traditional South African/arr. Terry Taylor

Also available: SATB (CGE503); P/A CD (CGECD216); Accompaniment mp3 (CGE503a)

A New Way Mark Burrows

www.choristersguild.org Choristers Guild is a 501c3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to enable leaders to nurture the musical and spiritual growth of children, youth, and adults.

www.choristersguild.org

www.choristersguild.org

www.choristersguild.org Choristers Guild is a 501c3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to enable leaders to nurture the musical and spiritual growth of children, youth, and adults.

16 | thechorister | Spring 2026 | March-May

www.choristersguild.org

SAB

UPCOMING CHORISTERS GUILD EVENTS

Choristers Guild Institute July 13-16, 2026 Brentwood United Methodist Church Brentwood, TN (near Nashville) Register soon to make your return to the Choristers Guild Institute (CGI) – or join us for the first time – this summer. CGI is designed to strengthen directors’ musical and instructional skills, with special emphasis on effectively integrating children in worship. Attending CGI is a valuable investment in your own learning, growth and readiness for leading children and youth.

Our CGI team includes: • Heather Potter • Vincent Oakes • Katie Houts • Co-director Karol Kimmell • Co-director Emily Floyd • Host James Wells Connections made during CGI prove invaluable to participants. You’ll make friends across the country - colleagues - who can answer your questions, share advice, suggest repertoire, understand your disappointments, and rejoice in your successes.

Our youth and children’s choirs are the beneficiaries of this wonderful continuing education program. Join us! Learn more and register online at choristersguild.org/cgi

You’ll make friends across the country colleagues - who can answer your questions, share advice, suggest repertoire, understand your disappointments, and rejoice in your successes.

Brentwood United Methodist Church, Brentwood, TN Spring 2026 | March-May | thechorister | 17

Tips from the One License Team Answers to common questions about licensing Katie Deaver

Madison Conner

Gabrielle Adams

Siobhan Maguire

Q: Hi, One License. We post our video recordings of our services on Facebook, YouTube, and our website. When our video recordings have songs that are licensed through you, is there a limited period of time those postings can remain on those platforms?

– Anna S., Fremont CA A: Hi, Anna, Thanks for reaching out to us! That is a great question.

Stephanie Ruozzo

Daven Taba

There are four important factors for an organization to consider when deciding to keep archived videos online.

•

Your organization must have an active license with ONE LICENSE that includes Podcast / Streaming permissions. This may be through an Annual Reprint License bundled with Podcast / Streaming permissions, or through a Limited Podcast / Streaming License.

•

All ONE LICENSE titles heard in the online video must be approved for Podcast / Streaming usage. For more information on how to verify this, check out our blog post on Permissions Icons.

•

Your permissions information must be posted with the video, including your ONE LICENSE license number and the copyright information for each title included in the online service.

•

Your usage of all the songs used in the video that are licensed must be reported through your ONE LICENSE account. Have a look at this helpful resource: Basics on Reporting.

Gregory Turnbull

Have a question for the ONE LICENSE Team? Submit it at info@ onelicense.net with the subject line “Tips from the Team.”

So long as these four conditions are met, your videos may remain online. Our Podcast / Streaming License options cover your organization for distributing our Member Publishers’ copyrighted music in your online worship videos, whether archived, live streamed, or pre-recorded and posted. But then once that License is cancelled, your organization would no longer be covered to distribute ONE LICENSE material; your copyright permissions to use ONE LICENSE material would end.

We are always happy to talk through these questions with you. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any further questions or concerns!

18 | thechorister | Spring 2026 | March-May

Children’s Choir Devotionals

BY HEATHER HARMAN, MICHAEL SCHANER, AND CHORISTERS GUILD STAFF

MARCH DEVOTIONALS BY HEATHER HARMAN

Week of March 1

Prayer Thank you, God, for loving us so much that you sent your son Jesus to save us. Give us hearts that believe so that we can rest in the promise of everlasting life with you. Help us to share your love wherever we go.

Coordinating Anthem CGAMB100 | God So Loved the World | Bill Wolaver | Unison with Piano • Other voicings: CGRP583 solo violin part | CGORA100e full orchestration for viola, 2 violins, cello, and rhythm

CGAMB100 Unison with piano

God So Loved the World

Faith-filled music to nurture young artists

Devotional John 3:16 is such a beloved Bible verse that many people can even repeat it from memory. Taught to us as little children, its message is so important that it often remains with us for our entire lives. Like ‘the gospel in a nutshell’, it breaks the story of salvation down into one simple sentence that is easy to understand. God loves us and sent Jesus to save us, and if we believe we will have everlasting life. What a comfort it is to have that truth, spoken through this scripture, written on our hearts to call upon whenever we need it!

God loves all of us, each and every one, and the gift of everlasting life is for all people.

How does it make you feel to know that you are so loved by your Creator? If you haven’t memorized John 3:16 yet, what are some fun ways you can think of to remember it?

Annie Moses Band Series

Scripture For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Bill Wolaver

www.choristersguild.org Choristers Guild is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to enable leaders to nurture the musical and spiritual growth of children, youth, and adults.

Week of March 8 Scripture At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him. Mark 1:12-13 Devotional Have you ever spent time getting ready for something important, like a big test or a group project? How long did it take to get ready? A few hours? A few days? What if it took forty days? That is more than a month!

In the season of Lent, we remember how Jesus spent forty days in the wilderness, praying and fasting and getting ready for what God had sent him to do. Did you know there are other times in the Bible when something important takes forty days? In the book of Genesis, it rains for forty days and forty nights while Noah is on the ark with all

of the animals, and in the book of Exodus, Moses is called to the top of a mountain where he stays for forty days and nights, learning from God before receiving the Ten Commandments.

Forty Days and Forty Nights Becki Slagle Mayo and Paul Adams Unison/two part and piano

choristers guild Forty Days and Forty Nights Becki Slagle Mayo and Paul Adams

Becki Slagle Mayo and Paul Adams

Swing jazz feel (q = 120) [iq = qK e]

                               mf                               

Piano

These are just a few examples of the many times that the number ‘forty’ is important to a story in the Bible. See if you can find some others!

CGA1175

Unison

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The text for this anthem is based on Genesis 6-9; Exodus 24 and 34; Deuteronomy 9 and 10; Matthew 4; Luke 4.

Copyright © 2009 Choristers Guild. All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A. Reproduction of all or any portion in any form is prohibited without permission of the publisher.

The CCLI license does not grant permission to photocopy this music.

Prayer God, as we journey through this season of Lent, remembering the great sacrifice your son Jesus made for us, help us to slow down our busy lives and listen for your guidance.

Published by Choristers Guild www.choristersguild.org

Coordinating Anthem CGA1175 | Forty Days and Nights | Becki Slagle Mayo and Paul Adams | Unison/two part and piano

Spring 2026 | March-May | thechorister | 19

CHILDREN’S CHOIR DEVOTIONALS

Week of March 15 The Prayer of St. Patrick William M. Schoenfeld

CGA462 Unison with piano

The Prayer of St. Patrick St. Patrick, 372-466

William M. Schoenfeld

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Copyright © 1989 Choristers Guild. This edition © 2012. All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A. Reproduction of all or any portion in any form is prohibited without permission of the publisher.

The copying of this music is prohibited by law and is not covered by CCLI, LicenSing, or OneLicense.net.

www.choristersguild.org

Scripture I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 Devotional A long time ago, a man named Patrick wrote a very special prayer during a time when he was facing danger and feeling afraid. Patrick was a Christian. He loved God and believed in Jesus and wanted to share the good news of the Gospel, even though it was dangerous for him to do so. In his beautiful prayer, he asks Jesus to be fully with him – in front to help lead him, behind to protect him, beside him to provide support, and above and below him to completely shield him from his enemies. Because of this, it is often called the ‘Breastplate’ prayer, resembling a suit of armor worn by a knight going into battle.

When we choose to follow Jesus, we too can receive this assurance of guidance, support, and protection through the presence of the Holy Spirit. Can you think of a time when you felt alone or afraid? The next time you feel that way, pray like St. Patrick did for God’s protection to be all around you.

Prayer Lord Jesus, help us to remember that like St. Patrick so long ago, we too can come to you in prayer when we are feeling alone or afraid.

Thank you for always being there beside us to comfort and to guide us.

Coordinating Anthem CGA462 | The Prayer of St. Patrick | Wiliam M. Schoenfeld | Unison with piano

Week of March 22 God’s Promises Becki Slagle Mayo and Aren Newell Williams

CGA1794 Unison/two-part with piano

God's Promises

www.choristersguild.org Choristers Guild is a 501c3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to enable leaders to nurture the musical and spiritual growth of children, youth, and adults.

Scripture Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. Deuteronomy 7:9

lives – friends may let us down, bullies may tease us, people we love may get hurt or sick, and things don’t always go our way. But God is faithful and true, and is always there to give us comfort and guidance. Nothing can separate us from the love of God.

Devotional A Children’s Minister once shared that one of her favorite parts of her job is giving the children’s sermon on Sunday mornings. Back in January, on Epiphany Sunday, she was talking with the children about how, like the Magi in search of the baby Jesus, we can look for signs from God to guide us on our journey. As she spoke, one child looked up at her and said with confidence and joy, “That’s because God always tells us the truth!”

A rainbow is a sign of God’s promise to never flood the earth again. See if you can spot one the next time there is sunshine and rain!

Where else can you find God’s promises in your life?

She has thought about that statement often since then, and it came to mind again when she heard the song called God’s Promises.

There can be so much uncertainty in our

20 | thechorister | Spring 2026 | March-May

Prayer God, you are so good! Thank you for always telling us the truth, and for the gift of each new day.

Coordinating Anthem CGA1794 | God’s Promises | Becki Slagle Mayo and Aren Newell Williams | Unison/ two-part with piano

CHILDREN’S CHOIR DEVOTIONALS

Week of March 29 Scripture They took palm branches and went out to meet him. They shouted, “Hosanna!

Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessings on the king of Israel!” John 12:13 Devotional Have you ever been excited for someone to come and visit you, like a grandparent, your cousins, or a good friend who moved away?

Maybe you helped prepare for the visit by cleaning your room, and you made a sign to welcome them and waited by the door to run out and greet them when they arrived.

I imagine this is how the people of Jerusalem felt while waiting to meet Jesus on Palm Sunday so long ago. They had heard about the amazing things he had been doing, like healing sick people and performing miracles.

They ran into the streets, waving palm branches and laying their coats down in the streets to make a path, shouting “Hosanna!

Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” What a welcome that must have been!

Blessed Is He (A Palm Sunday Partner Song) Vivian Hare and Katie Houts

CGA1796 Unison/two-part with piano and optional handbells or handchimes, wood block, and tambourine

Rote to Note CHORAL SERIES

In the same way that the people of Jerusalem welcomed Jesus on Palm Sunday, we can welcome Him into our lives with joy and praise every day! We can read the Bible, sing, pray, and live our lives the way that Jesus taught us, loving and caring for all of God’s creation.

Prayer Lord, we may not have palm branches to wave to welcome you each day, but we can lift our voices in joyful praise to thank you for your gift of grace. Hosanna in the highest!

Blessed Is He

A Palm Sunday Partner Song

www.choristersguild.org Choristers Guild is a 501c3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to enable leaders to nurture the musical and spiritual growth of children, youth, and adults.

Coordinating Anthem CGA1796 | Blessed is He (A Palm Sunday Partner Song) | Vivian Hare and Katie Houts | Unison/two-part with piano and optional handbells or handchimes, wood block, and tambourine

APRIL DEVOTIONALS BY MICHAEL SCHANER

Week of April 5 Scripture Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in! Who is the King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle.

Psalm 24:7-8 Devotional Have you ever been so excited to open the door of your house to greet a beloved family member like a grandparent, aunt, or uncle? It’s always such a joy when you get to welcome that beloved family member or close friend you haven’t seen in a long time into your house!

What does it look like when we welcome the King of Glory into our lives? As we move from the season of Lent, through Holy Week, and into Easter, we might need to open the gates of our hearts. Last Sunday, the crowds

of Jerusalem welcomed Jesus with a parade while waving palm branches. Maybe this week that looks different than physically opening the gates like we did last week?

We are also moving from winter to spring where flowers are starting to grow and blossom. May our love for God and for others continue to blossom as we seek justice for all.

Prayer Dear God, we give you thanks for your risen son, Jesus our Lord. Let us open the gates of our hearts to you and to the world around us.

Coordinating Anthem CGA1795 | Open the Gates | Hal H. Hopson, ed. Katie Houts | Unison/two-part with piano and optional handbells and congregation

Open the Gates Hal H. Hopson, ed. Katie Houts

CGA1795 Unison/two-part any voice with piano with optional handbells and congregation

Open the Gates

www.choristersguild.org Choristers Guild is a 501c3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to enable leaders to nurture the musical and spiritual growth of children, youth, and adults.

Spring 2026 | March-May | thechorister | 21

CHILDREN’S CHOIR DEVOTIONALS

Week of April 12

edited by

Two-part

Also available: Three-part Mixed (CGE276); P/A CD (CGECD112)

A Jubilant Song Victor C. Johnson

Sing

distinctive choral music for classroom, concert and festival

Mary Lynn Lightfoot

CGE277

www.choristersguild.org

Scripture Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth.

Psalm 66:1 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Philippians 4:4 Devotional Have you ever been so excited you just broke out into song? It might be something you sang in choir before, or it could be something you just made up in the moment.

It’s so adorable to hear a little child make up a song when they’re just so happy all they can do is sing with pure joy!

What is it like when we allow ourselves to make a joyful noise, and not just the sound we are told to make in choir? Now, it’s still important to make a beautiful noise, but so often we try to do exactly what we are “supposed” to do, including when giving thanks to God. What are some additional

ways besides singing you could show to others the joy in your spirit?

After the season of Lent where most churches don’t say Alleluia, there’s such an overwhelming joy the first time we say Alleluia on Easter Sunday morning, and that joy continues all through the season of Easter. May we all find that overwhelming joy in our own lives!

Prayer We praise you, O God, for the gift of music.

Help our joyful noise be a gift to you and to those around us.

Coordinating Anthem CGE277 | A Jubilant Song | Victor C. Johnson | Two-part

Week of April 19 Create in Me Brian Childers

CGA1793 Unison with piano and optional three octaves handbells or handchimes

Rote to Note CHORAL SERIES

Create in Me

www.choristersguild.org Choristers Guild is a 501c3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to enable leaders to nurture the musical and spiritual growth of children, youth, and adults.

Scripture Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. Psalm 25:6 Devotional What do you think of when you hear Psalm 51:10 and it says “create in me a clean heart, O God?” Do you think of forgiveness from God, or forgiveness with others?

Sometimes we have a difficult time asking for forgiveness or forgiving others when they ask us for forgiveness. But with God’s help, we can have a spiritual reset of our heart!

How can you show grace to others? What does it mean to show grace to people? It could be as simple as being kind to them when they ask for help with something they struggle with like a tricky project or when they ask for forgiveness.

22 | thechorister | Spring 2026 | March-May

It’s often easier to say these things when we are in a good mood or aren’t the person someone is asking to forgive them. So, to help work on this skill of forgiving others, we should work on it when we are in a good mood and not angry. And by doing this, it will help restore our hearts even more, while also giving thanks to God! Prayer Dear God, thank you for your grace towards us. Help us to show that same grace to others and to trust you in all we do.

Coordinating Anthem CGA1793 | Create In Me | Brian Childers | Unison with piano and optional handbells or handchimes

CHILDREN’S CHOIR DEVOTIONALS

Week of April 26 Scripture Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. Proverbs 16:24 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32

doing and listened to what you said, not just because they felt they needed to ask how you were doing. When someone truly listens and is there for you, that kindness makes the world a better place! Perhaps you’ve been the person to check in with someone to see how they are doing.

Devotional Have you ever heard, or been told, to be nice? What if we were kind instead? What would that look like? That could look like genuinely caring about those around us and treating them how God wants us to treat them. That’s not always the easiest thing to do, but it does feel good when we are kind to others and they are kind to us!

When we feel alone, the kindness of others becomes a comforting, glowing light of God’s love in our lives. How can we be that light to others around us?

Can you remember a time when you felt alone, and someone came and spent time with you? Maybe they asked how you were

Coordinating Anthem CGA1787 | Kindness Sings | Mark Burrows | Two-part with piano

Kindness Sings Mark Burrows

CGA1787 Two-part with piano

Helen Kemp CHORAL SERIES

Kindness Sings

www.choristersguild.org Choristers Guild is a 501c3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to enable leaders to nurture the musical and spiritual growth of children, youth, and adults.

Prayer Loving God, thank you for your kindness in our lives. Help us to share your love and kindness to everyone else around us.

MAY DEVOTIONALS BY CHORISTERS GUILD STAFF

Week of May 3 Scripture Instead, we should speak the truth in love, growing in every way to be more like Christ.

Ephesians 4:15 Devotional Have you ever wanted to say something important, but you were worried that your words might come out sounding unkind?

Maybe you felt angry, frustrated, or hurt, and it was hard to choose the right words. The Bible reminds us that how we say something matters just as much as what we say.

Each of us has a heart that matters and a voice that matters. God gave us our words as a gift! When we share our feelings, we always have a choice. We can say things in a way that hurts others, or we can speak the truth with love – calmly, kindly, and honestly.

Speaking with love helps people listen and helps us grow to be more like Jesus.

The next time you have something important to say, take a deep breath and remember: you can say what you mean without saying it mean. How do you think Jesus would want you to use your words today?

Prayer Dear God, thank you for giving us voices that matter. Help us to speak the truth with love and kindness, just like Jesus. Teach us to use our words to help and not to hurt. Amen.

Say What You Mean (Without Saying it Mean) Mark Burrows

CGA1797 Unison/two-part with piano

Say What You Mean

(Without Saying it Mean)

www.choristersguild.org Choristers Guild is a 501c3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to enable leaders to nurture the musical and spiritual growth of children, youth, and adults.

Coordinating Anthem CGA1797 | Say What You Mean (Without Saying It Mean) | Mark Burrows | Unison/twopart with piano

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CHILDREN’S CHOIR DEVOTIONALS

Week of May 10 A Mother’s Love Mark Patterson CGA1060 $1.75 Unison with piano and optional cello (or C treble instrument)

choristers guild For Mary

A Mother’s Love Mark Patterson

Mark Patterson

Tenderly ( = 84)

Scripture She is clothed with strength and love, and she watches over her family with care.

Proverbs 31:25

*Cello (optional)

Piano

5

**Optional Solo

a

Bless ed are

moth er’s arms

that hold a

ti

ny

child.

*A C treble instrument may substitute for the cello, if desired. The cello part is printed on page 7. A C treble instrument part is printed on page 8. **Solo may be sung by a youth or an adult male, if desired.

Copyright © 2005 Choristers Guild. All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A. Reproduction of all or any portion in any form is prohibited without permission of the publisher.

The CCLI license does not grant permission to photocopy this music.

Choristers Guild, 2834 W. Kingsley Road, Garland, Texas 75041-2498 www.choristersguild.org

Devotional Think about a time when you felt safe, warm, and loved. Maybe it was when someone gave you a hug, held your hand, or whispered comforting words when you were scared. A mother’s love (or the motherly love of someone who guides us through life) can feel a lot like that – strong, gentle, and always nearby.

This song reminds us that a mother’s arms are a place where children learn about God’s love. Long before children can understand big Bible stories, they can feel love through caring hands, bedtime prayers, and kind words. As children grow, they begin to learn

about God’s wonders – but those lessons often begin with a mother’s loving care.

On Mother’s Day, we thank God for mothers and for all the people who show us love, patience, and kindness. Who is someone in your life who helps you feel God’s love?

Prayer Thank you, God, for mothers and for all who care for us with loving hearts. Bless their hands, their words, and their prayers. Help us to share that same love with others. Amen.

Coordinating Anthem CGA1060 | A Mother’s Love | Mark Patterson | Unison with piano and optional cello (or other C treble instrument)

Week of May 17 Your Servant I Will Be Mark Patterson

CGA1215 Unison/two part with piano

Your Servant I Will Be

www.choristersguild.org

Scripture Serve the Lord with joy and gladness.

Psalm 100:2

When we pray we should ask God to help us live the way Jesus taught us – by loving, helping, and caring for others.

Devotional Have you ever helped someone without being asked – maybe by sharing a toy, setting the table, or helping a friend who was feeling sad? Did you see the look on their faces after you helped out? Pretty nice right?

Serving others can be fun and easy, but it sometimes can be hard, especially when we would rather do things our own way. But God calls us to serve with loving hearts and willing hands, even when we don’t feel like it.

Does anyone want to share with the group how you can serve someone this week?

Have you ever thought, “Hmmm it would be helpful to my parents if I did my chores, but I really want to play right now”? Sometimes we make selfish choices, but God is always ready to forgive us and help us try again.

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Prayer Lord, help us to serve you with joyful hearts and strong hands. Forgive us when we think only of ourselves, and guide us to live with love and kindness each day. Amen.

Coordinating Anthem CGA1215 | Your Servant I Will Be | Mark Patterson | Unison/two-part with piano

CHILDREN’S CHOIR DEVOTIONALS

Week of May 24 Scripture The Holy Spirit came and filled them, and God was with them. Acts 2:4 Devotional Have you ever felt excited, brave, or full of joy, even when you didn’t know exactly why? That can be the Holy Spirit at work!

At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came to Jesus’ friends and filled them with courage, hope, and faith.

As we celebrate Pentecost, remember that God’s Spirit is always near – helping us, comforting us, and leading us each day.

Before we pray, can anyone share with the group a time when you felt the holy spirit?

Descend on Us, We Pray Andrew Parr

CGA1798 Unison/two-part any voice with piano

Descend on Us, We Pray

Prayer Holy Spirit, thank you for being with us. Fill our hearts with joy, courage, and love. Help us to follow Jesus and share your light with the world. Amen.

www.choristersguild.org Choristers Guild is a 501c3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to enable leaders to nurture the musical and spiritual growth of children, youth, and adults.

We can ask the Holy Spirit to be with us, too.

We ask the Spirit to help us celebrate, to guide us, and to fill us with God’s love. Even though we can’t see the Holy Spirit, we can feel its presence when we show kindness, speak truth, and share joy with others.

Coordinating Anthem CGA1798 | Descend on Us, We Pray | Andrew Parr | Unison/two-part with piano

Week of May 31 Scripture Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and He will guide your path. Proverbs 3:5–6 Devotional Have you ever gone on a walk where you didn’t know exactly where you were going, but you felt safe because someone you trusted was leading the way?

On Trinity Sunday, we remember that God is always with us, on every path that we walk.

Trinity means three: God the Father created us and loves us; Jesus the Son shows us how to love others; and the Holy Spirit helps guide us, comfort us, and give us courage each day. Together, those three, the Trinity, walk with us wherever we go. Can you name the three parts of the Trinity with me?

When we trust God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, we don’t need to carry heavy worries in our hearts. We can live with kindness, hope, and love, knowing that we will be guided and cared for every step of the way. Does anyone want to share how you have trusted God before?

Prayer Loving God, thank you for always walking with us. Help us to trust you, follow Jesus, and listen for the Holy Spirit’s guidance each day. Lead us on paths of love and kindness.

Amen.

Go Gently, Go Lightly Nancy Raabe Text by Shirley Erena Murray

CGA1801 Unison with piano and optional flute

Go Gently, Go Lightly

www.choristersguild.org Choristers Guild is a 501c3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to enable leaders to nurture the musical and spiritual growth of children, youth, and adults.

Coordinating Anthem CGA1801 | Go Gently, Go Lightly | Nancy Raabe | Unison with piano and optional flute • Other Voicing: CGA1800 SATB with piano and optional flute

Heather Harman is the Director of Children and Care Ministries at Asbury United Methodist Church in Salisbury, Maryland. She helps oversee the children’s music program and has directed the Cherub Choir (grades K–2) for over fifteen years. In addition to her work with children, Heather enjoys leading and making music for worship and regularly participates in several musical ensembles at Asbury. A lifelong singer, she holds a BS in Education from Penn State University and is a 2017 graduate of the Choristers Guild Institute. Music has been central to her life since childhood, beginning in the children’s choir at her home church, and she is honored to continue that tradition through her ministry.

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Covenant Society Since 1949, Choristers Guild has supported music ministries and choirs with educational programs, teaching resources, and music publishing of the highest quality. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, your donations make possible the work we do.

While a number of members are constant donors, others have chosen to support us with their future gifts through wills or trusts.

While a number of members are constant donors, others have chosen to support us with their future gifts through wills or trusts. Some donors have chosen to name Choristers Guild as a beneficiary from banking and investment accounts, or life insurance policies. This method can often be as simple as contacting your bank or investment plan, or making a change online. And some, in serving as an artist in the music world, have chosen to make their royalty payments payable directly to Choristers Guild, either from their work with Choristers Guild or from other publishers.

Thank you to all our donors, and blessings to our Covenant Society members.

For more information, please contact Andrea Pelloquin at 469-398-3606 x 104.

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Covenant Society Members Larry K. Ball Betty Bedsole Judy and Larry Britts Rev. Richard F. Collman Judith E. Dardaganian Janet M. Davidson Philip Dietterich Norman and Ethel Geist Terry and Pam Goolsby C. Michael Hawn Dawn Jantsch Helen Litz Kathy Lowrie Susanne Melton Sue Ellen Page and Eric Johnson Carolyn Perkins Joanna E. Pretz-Anderson Jim and Stephanie Rindelaub David Leigh Shearer Mary Louise and Don VanDyke Priscilla B. Zimmermann

List of 2025 Contributors GIFTS RECEIVED BETWEEN JANUARY 1 AND DECEMBER 31, 2025 Angels Stephanie McIlwain Miller & Kevin Miller in honor of Dawn Jantsch Principals Dawn Jantsch in honor of Victor C. Johnson Margaret McMillan Elizabeth & Bob Shepley Ruth Szucs Benefactors Todd Arant Given by the board in honor of Victor C. Johnson Given by the board in honor of Kathy Lowrie Given by the board in honor of Dawn Jantsch Anton Armstrong Dana Effler Constance Guennewig Victor C. Johnson Kathy Lowrie in memory of John Ferguson in memory of Oscar Page Colleen Klein Oates Jim Rindelaub Sponsors Beth Clark Drake C. Michael Hawn in honor of Dawn Jantsch, Executive Director Michael Jothen Larry McCain Patrons Janet Kilgard Barbour Thomas Charsky Terry Goolsby Meg Granum Gurtcheff in memory of Helen Kemp Andrew & Kathi Masetti in honor of the Choristers Guild Board in memory of all those who have served and are no longer with us Daniel and Meredith Smith in honor of Kimberly Sealey Rebecca and Dean Thompson Margaret R. Tucker in memory of Mary M. Coulson in memory of Hal Hopson Friends Patty Austin dedicated to Mary Goetze

Randall Bradley Jean Braun in honor of all the support you provide directors of children’s choirs Patricia Clark Ken and Mary Jane Cooper Janet Davidson Judith Davidson First Baptist Church of Easley Mary Ann Fritz Clarita Gustafson Jennifer Harvill Chris and Jan Hughes Steven Jobman Juliann Jones Karol Kimmell in support of the Choristers Guild Institute Teri Larson dedicated to Dawn Jantsch Marilyn Murchison Joanna Pertz-Anderson Eric Posada Jennifer Remillard Pat Rowlett Tom Shelton in honor of Choristers Guild’s 75th Anniversary Donna Snell William Tell Sustainers Melissa Alexander Kenneth Axelson Katherine Connally in honor of Brian Bentley Jayne Southwick Cool Kirsten Foyles Joy Gibbons in memory of Helen Kemp Patricia Landis Cathy Moklebust Thomas Mustachio Jean Poff Harold C. Redline Stacey Stenerson Julie Stuneck David Yoder in memory of John and Helen Kemp Contributors Brittney Axton Barbara Hamm Darleen Herriman Stephanie Rhoades Phylis Wilson

Thank you for your ongoing support of Choristers Guild!

With your contributions, you further a mission that enables leaders to nurture the musical and spiritual growth of children, youth, and adults. Together we are creating a brighter future for the next generation of church leaders.

Make a contribution today

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Supporting Our Mission THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO SUPPORT CHORISTERS GUILD’S MISSION

Have the store donate one percent of your grocery bill to Choristers Guild without any cost to you!

Facebook Fundraisers Are you on Facebook? One of the fun ways to raise donations to Choristers Guild is through Facebook, by hosting a fundraiser for your special occasion.

It may be for your birthday, anniversary, celebrating a milestone….whatever occasion that makes you who you are.

Since we are a nonprofit organization, Facebook makes it easy to have your friends and family know about the charities that affect your life. Won’t you consider making a fundraiser in your name on Facebook and sharing it? You will be surprised how many contribute, and every contribution makes a difference in keeping the world in song.

You’ll see a screen pop up where you can invite your friends to donate to your fundraiser, share your fundraiser in your news feed, or donate to the fundraiser yourself.

Choristers Guild thanks you for helping us meet our mission!

Our mission is to Enable Leaders to Nurture the Musical and Spiritual Growth of Children, Youth, and Adults.

Create a nonprofit fundraiser 1, On your computer, login to Facebook.

Fundraisers.

2. On the left, click Tip: If you don’t see Fundraisers on the left, then click See more.

3. On the left, click Raise money.

4. Click Nonprofit.

5. You can either: • Scroll to find the nonprofit you want to raise money for, or • Type into the search bar to find the nonprofit you want to raise money for 6. Select Choristers Guild.

7. On the left, enter: • The goal amount of money you want to raise * The currency you want the funds to be in 8. Click Create.

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Do You Shop at Albertson’s, Safeway, Randalls or Tom Thumb?

If you grocery shop at one of the Albertson’s Safeway stores, you can have your loyalty card become part of their Good Neighbor program, and have the store donate one percent of your grocery bill to Choristers Guild without any cost to you!

All you need to do is ensure your card is linked to Choristers Guild. Stop by the Courtesy Desk at your local store, and use our Good Neighbor number: 10468.

New Handbell Titles Ah, Holy Jesus arr. Cathy Moklebust • L2 2-3 octaves • CGB1407 3-5 octaves • CGB1408 and the wind blows Matthew Compton • L33-7 octaves with opt 3-7 octaves handchimes • CGB1410 Ascend!

(Together We Rise!)

Sandra Eithun • L3 3-6 octaves with opt 3-7 octaves handchimes • CGB1411 Classics Attack!

Various / arr. Michael J. Glasgow • L4+ 5-7 octaves with opt. 4-7 octaves handchimes • CGB1414 Easter Rejoicing arr. Michael Helman • L2+ 2-3 octaves with opt 2-3 octaves handchimes • CGB1403 3-5 octaves with opt 3-5 octaves handchimes • CGB1404 Grazioso Giocoso Cathy Moklebust • L2+/L3 Playable by single or double choirs Full Score • CGB1370 Choir I • 3-7 octaves with opt 3-7 octaves handchimes • CGB1371 (L3) Choir II • 3 octaves with opt 3 octaves handchimes • CGB1372 (L2+) Holy Spirit, Truth Divine (Song of Truth) arr. Brenda Austin • L1+ 2-3 octaves handbells or

handchimes • CGB1417 3-5 octaves handbells or handchimes • CGB1418 Hosanna to the King (with All Glory, Laud, and Honor and Hosanna, Loud Hosanna) Cathy Moklebust • L2 2-3 octaves • CGB1405 3-6 octaves • CGB1406 Jubilation and Reflection Cathy Moklebust • L4+ 4-6 octaves with opt percussion (tambourine, bongos or congas, chime tree/mark tree, and suspended cymbal) and 4-7 octaves handchimes Full Score • CGB1415 Handbell Score • CGB1416 My Lord, What a Morning arr. Greg Fisher • L3 3-5 octaves with opt 3, 5, 6, or 7 octaves handchimes • CGB1412 Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen arr. Patricia Hurlbutt • L33-5 octaves with opt 3 octaves handchimes • CGB1409 Seascapes Karen L. Buckwalter • L4 4-7 octaves and 4-7 octaves handchimes • CGB1377 Sharing the Joy! Sandra Eithun • L1 2-3 octaves handbells or handchimes • CGB1419 3-5 octaves handbells or handchimes • CGB1420

Augsburg Fortress Summer Music Clinics

Robert Hobby

Jeremy Bankson

Choral & Organ Clinician

Choral & Organ Clinician

Day 1

9:00-11:00 am Choristers Guild Handbell Session - see below for clinician names 11:15 am-noon Choristers Guild Children’s Choir Session - Jeremy Bankson & Robert Hobby The clinics also feature keyboard sessions, adult choir sessions, workshops, and a hymn festival.

Dates and Locations July 24-25 (Fri/Sat) Columbia, SC

Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church 1000 “B” Avenue West Columbia, SC 29169

Ed Tompkins

July 27-28 (Mon/Tue) Twin Cities, MN Gloria Dei Lutheran Church 700 Snelling Ave S St. Paul, MN 55116

Gethsemane Lutheran Church 35 E Stanton Ave Columbia, OH 43214

Jill Mahr

Stephen Smith

Handbell Clinician

Handbell Clinician

August 6-7 (Thu/Fri) Philadelphia, PA

August 10-11 (Mon/Tue) Chicago, IL

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church 415 E Athens Ave Ardmore, PA 19003

August 3-4 (Mon/Tue) Columbus, OH

St. Luke’s Lutheran Church 205 N Prospect Ave Park Ridge, IL 60068

Handbell Clinician

There will be Choristers Guild and Augsburg Fortress exhibits in each location.

There is no charge to attend the clinics.

Michael Joy

Handbell Clinician

Sandra Eithun Handbell Clinician

Come and find resources and ideas for the coming year of music ministry.

For more info or to register in advance, go to https://www.augsburgfortress.org/music/summer-music-clinics/

12404 PARK CENTRAL DRIVE SUITE 100-S DALLAS, TX 75251

Join us at the