Over & Above: Youth Bell Choir

Posted on October 18, 2019 | Posted by Mary Stoneback

Ascension has been committed to belonging since its inception. Today, more than ever, the fabric of our families is increasingly strained. By increasing our giving to belonging, we strengthen the mission of Ascension. this includes money to support a youth bell choir. Ascension’s Organist & Youth Bell Choir Director shares her thoughts on the importance of involving children & youth in playing bells for worship.

Why begin a youth bell choir? Youth are an integral part of a worshipping community of believers. Worship is the one thing we all do together as Christians. Worship is the glue that ensures the future vitality of the church. Youth with an understanding and active participation in worship will propel the church forward for future generations. We create faithful community through the worship of our Lord and then are sent out into the world.

How is ALC’s bell choir unique? The youth handbell choir that has formed at ALC is  mixture of young people from fourth grade to eighth grade. The choir also has a parent and an adult who would like to learn how to play bells along with the youth. This new choir is open to anyone who would like to help youth in the church or learn to play bells from the bottom up. We are intergenerational.

How have you witnessed youth benefit in participating in a church bell choir? I have seen youth that participate in a handbell choir learn societal skills of cooperation. It is a team-building choir. Every member has their own part to play that is integral to the music of the entire choir. Youth which become involved in worship at a young age tend to remain involved in  worshipping community throughout life. College students are more likely to become involved in a church handbell choir during their college years if they played in a group during their grade school, middle school and high school years. Some youth who have problems focusing will find participation in a handbell choir helpful. Handbell choirs are a great way to begin to learn how to read music for youth and adults.

What is your hope for those who participate in the youth bell choir? I hope that the members of our Youth Handbell Choir will draw closer to their fellow Christians and their Lord. I also hope they will find a community of faith an integral part of life no matter where they find themselves in this world. I hope to teach the importance of music when conveying the gospel of Christ through corporate and personal worship.

“For whether you wish to comfort the sad, to terrify the happy, to encourage the despairing, to humble the proud, to calm the passionate, or to appease those full of hate….. what more effective means than music could you find?” Martin Luther