RSCM

RSCM Camp 2019

Another week of RSCM camp has come to an end! This year, Turkey, Bunny, and Ladybug all attended for the second year in a row (this was Turkey’s fourth year!). When we dropped them off on Monday, it was raining, which was unpleasant, but the rain didn’t last the whole week.

For the first time, their Saturday Evensong service was in Belleville. The church was beautiful, and they sounded beautiful!

This morning, as they have every year, they sang for Mass at St. Louis’ Cathedral Basilica.

The biggest difference this year was that they sang in the balcony of the cathedral. And it was hot up there! So instead of wearing their robes, they wore their RSCM t-shirts, which was kind of a cool change:

They had a great time, and their singing was amazing, but I’m sure glad they’re home!

Award on a…Thursday

For the last few years, choir awards have become a staple of Ascension Day in the Markel house. It began in 2016, when Turkey, Bunny, and Ladybug earned their white surplice and first RSCM medal, and at least one child has earned an award every Ascension Day since then, right up to this year, when Moose was awarded his first medal. Ladybug, however, didn’t receive an award when Moose did, even though she had been preparing all year for a special exam, because that exam had to be given by someone outside of our local group, which was a challenge to schedule. She was finally able to be tested last month during choir camp, and was part of the first group from her choir to take and pass the test for the bronze award! She was very excited to receive her new medal and ribbon today:

She can’t wait to wear her new award when she sings, and she’s especially excited that she got it in time to wear it at RSCM camp!

Unexpected on Ascension Day

Tonight, the children’s choir sang for the last time of the season, as they do on Ascension Day. I went into the service assuming that for the first time since we joined the choir, none of our children would be receiving an award (although Ladybug is testing for a new level next month). You can imagine my surprise, then, when Moose received his very first RSCM medal…and not even he knew he was getting it! I’m so very proud of him!

RSCM Camp 2018

For the last two summers, Turkey has attended the RSCM St. Louis summer camp…this year, Bunny and Ladybug joined him!

After a week of singing, singing, and more singing (plus some other fun activities!), they sang for the Choral Evensong service at 1st Presbyterian in Kirkwood last night.

They accompanied the congregation in singing one of my favorite hymns, “Christ, Mighty Savior.”

They sang another favorite of mine, the Magnificat:

This morning, they sang at the 10:00 a.m. Mass at the Cathedral Basilica in St. Louis. After the service, the Archbishop even commented that while they were singing, it sounded like the gates of Heaven had opened up, and I agree!

One of the pre-service pieces they sang was “Praise the Lord, O My Soul.”

Anglophile that I am, I couldn’t help but love hearing them sing “I Was Glad!”

We really missed having them at home all week, but it was very exciting to hear them sing, and hear all of their stories once they returned home!

Awards on Ascension Day

As has become our tradition, we attended the Divine Service for the Ascension of Our Lord at Hope Lutheran in St. Louis. The children’s choir always sings at this service, and they also receive the RSCM awards they have earned. Bunny and Ladybug both tested for the red medal, and Bunny passed with honors, and Ladybug passed with distinction! Even though he’s no longer in the children’s choir, Turkey also took the test, and like Ladybug, he also passed with distinction. Moose didn’t receive an award this year, but he’s still thrilled to be part of the choir!

Another Morning at the Cathedral Basilica

As we did last summer, yesterday we attended Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis to hear Turkey sing with the RSCM St. Louis Training Course. It was a lovely service, and the choir sounded beautiful…just like angels! And no matter how many times I visit the Cathedral, I am always amazed by its great beauty!

We’re already hoping that we’ll have the chance to go back next summer, and maybe even hear more than one of our children in the choir!

Awards on Ascension Day

It’s hard to believe, but the children just wrapped another season (and Turkey’s last), of singing with the Kantorei! As was the case last year, those choristers who completed certain exams received awards. Turkey, Bunny, and Ladybug upgraded the light blue ribbons that accompany their medals to dark blue. Moose received the white surplice this year, which is a huge achievement for him!

The medal is the same (and I still think it looks cool!), and I really love the color of the new ribbon!

I am very proud of how hard the children have worked at singing and learning about music!

A Morning at the Cathedral Basilica

This morning, we had the opportunity to attend Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, and hear Turkey sing with his choir from the RSCM St. Louis training course. The service was interesting…there were some very familiar things in the liturgy, and some very different things, especially in the prayers. The choir sounded beautiful, and I’m very glad we were able to be there!

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Awards on Ascension Day

Tonight was the last time the children got to sing with their choir this school year. At the end of the service, awards were given out to the choristers who had completed certain tasks and tests. Turkey, Bunny, and Ladybug all earned not only the white surplice to wear over their choir robes, but also the light blue medal. (Moose has diligently attended with them all year, but declined to take the exam, which is fine…I’m just glad he enjoyed the experience and learned something along the way!)

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And a closer look at the medal, just because I think it looks really cool!

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I’m very proud of my choristers!