The Children’s Choir

Children’s Choir Policies & Procedures

The St. Anthony of Padua Children’s Choir is open to children in 2nd thru 8th grades that demonstrate a genuine interest and possess an acumen for serving the parish through the gift of music. This handbook has been developed to provide basic information on the program to facilitate a smooth and positive for all, including students, parents, and staff.

Drop-off. To meet Archdiocesan policies regarding the safety of children under 18 years of age participating in parish music programs, all children participating in Children’s Choir must be dropped off by a parent and/or their designee by physically accompanying their child/children to the rehearsal space. Children cannot simply be dropped off in the parking lot or even the narthex.

Pick-up. Pick-up is at8:00 PM inside the rehearsal space. Children will not be dismissed independently to walk to the adult responsible for picking them up, waiting in a car outside. All adults must come inside the rehearsal space to physically pick up their children. Due to the unfair hardship that late pick-ups cause parish staff, volunteers, and families of other children, families that fail to pick their child up on time two or more times will be asked to leave the choir program.

Behavior. Like schools, children are expected to always be on their best behavior. Bullying, harassment, insubordination, and other negative behaviors will not be tolerated. A progressive discipline approach will be utilized, ranging from simple redirection to private conversation, parent conference, pastor conference, and expulsion from the program. All participants are expected to treat one another with the love and compassion that Christ demonstrated on Calvary.

Attendance. Participating in a musical ensemble is no different from participating on a sports team. Each member brings something of value to the table. Each member is counted on to be engaged and present in rehearsals, Masses, and other events. Please do your best to be at every rehearsal. The success of the entire musical ensemble depends on the full commitment of everyone. Parents, we understand that the world is crazy and your family is tugged in many different directions, but we firmly believe that faith must come first. In our experience, the children are often eager and willing to attend all events but are at the mercy of their parents. Please communicate with us.

Drinks. Remaining hydrated, particularly in the summer and winter, is especially important for healthy singing. Please ensure that your child is properly hydrated in the days leading up to rehearsals, Masses, and performances.

Snacks. Eating while singing can have deadly consequences. Candy, chewing gum, and other foods/candies are strictly prohibited at rehearsals. Occasionally, situations such as Halloween, Christmas, Easter, and birthdays present themselves as good times to snack after rehearsal time is completed. Families will be asked to bring in snacks and treats occasionally, and parents will be asked to assist at these events.

Food Allergies. Please inform the choir directors if your child has a food allergy or other dietary concerns.

Dress Code. All staff, children, and parents are expected to be dressed in commonly accepted church-appropriate attire at all times, including weekly rehearsals. Until the parish can acquire traditional choir robes, children are asked to dress in their Sunday best for Masses and concerts. Boys are asked to wear button-down collared shirts with a necktie (please, no ties that light up or make sounds) and pants with a belt. Girls are asked to wear church-appropriate dresses or skirts. At rehearsals, church-appropriate casual clothing is permissible.

Mass Warm-up. Call times for Masses will be provided. The call time is typically 45 minutes before Mass. The warm-up time is significant for the children to sing their best. During this time, children can calm their nerves, enter into prayer, and spiritually prepare themselves for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. If members come late (for any reason) it makes everyone nervous and confused. These feelings of nervousness and confusion are typically amplified by chronic tardiness. We will head to the Sanctuary ten minutes before Mass gets settled in our seats and then offer a musical prelude.

Preparation before Mass/Concert. Just like with rehearsals, children should arrive well-hydrated before Mass. Medical research indicates that this hydration needs to occur several days, not several hours, before a performance. Children are not to leave Mass for drinks or the bathroom except in extreme bathroom emergencies. Simply put, this disrupts the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and distracts all. Please encourage your child to use the bathroom when he/she arrives.

Pick-up after Mass. Pick-up is immediately after Mass inside the choir area inside the Sanctuary. As is the policy with rehearsals, we must physically see the parent/guardian to ensure the child connects with their caregiver. Children will not be dismissed independently to walk to the adult responsible for picking them up, waiting in a car outside. All adults must come to the choir area inside the Sanctuary to physically pick up their children. Due to the unfair hardship that late pick-ups cause parish staff, volunteers, and families of other children, families that fail to pick their child up on time two or more times will be asked to leave the choir program. It is highly encouraged for parents and complete families to attend Mass when the child sings as often as possible.

Notice Regarding Background Checks and Onboarding. All regular adult volunteers must undergo fingerprinting with the Archdiocese of Las Vegas and complete Catholic Mutual Group’s online youth protection training. Fingerprinting and youth protection training with other organizations does not satisfy archdiocesan policies and procedures. This is a non-negotiable requirement. All regular adult volunteers agree to adhere to all archdiocesan policies and guidelines strictly. All adult volunteers and staff members undergo monthly background checks through the Automated Fingerprint Identification System, or AFIS, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, or FBI. This is for the safety and well-being of all – children and adults! Please be advised that lead time is often six to eight weeks depending on the time of year.

Adult Participation. Parents are always welcome to observe rehearsals. Parents are always strongly encouraged to attend Masses, concerts, and other musical performances. You are encouraged to sing the songs with your child at home if you learn them. For more traditional volunteer roles, all adults must undergo the archdiocesan onboarding and background investigation processes. If you are interested in assisting more regularly, please contact the directors.

Ministry v. Performance. Your child is participating in something much more important than a musical performance. As much as we all enjoy hearing our children make music, what they sing is musical prayer. During most of the Mass, they lead the entire assembly – often people much older than them – in sung prayer through chant, hymnody, and acclamations. Your child’s participation in the choir is meant to build their faith and knowledge of Scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, help them learn what it means to be a Roman Catholic and engage them in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass while using music as the catalyst for delivery.

A parent’s job in Mass is to pray with your whole heart and soul while beaming, filled with joy, knowing that you are fulfilling the vows and responsibilities you accepted at your child’s Baptism to bring them up in the Church. Parents, you are your child’s biggest role model. That is why we always encourage church-appropriate dress from you (including pick-up from weeknight practices). That is why we encourage you to learn the music. That is why we encourage you to attend all Masses where your child participates in the choir.

Music Selections. St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church is focused on following the teachings of the 2nd Vatican Council. Contrary to popular belief, Sacrosanctum Concilium, the preeminent Church document promulgated with Vatican II, did not forbid chant, organ, or Latin. It reaffirmed the use of chant, organ, and Latin within the context of the Novus Ordo Mass. Unlike the model currently employed by other parishes in the Archdiocese of Las Vegas and other parts of the United States, this choir seeks to offer children a more complete and well-rounded musical experience that draws on the Church’s rich two-thousand-year-old musical tradition – not just music of the last forty years.

Practice at Home. Our music can easily be found on YouTube and other popular outlets. Parents are responsible for monitoring their child’s safety and establishing online boundaries. Every household is different, but resources are available to help your child outside of the one-hour weekly practice. While, for the most part, the music is relatively simple, the words are not. The Catholic Mass regularly uses words that are brought over from Greek, Latin, Hebrew, Aramaic, and early/middle English. Some words come from contemporary English that are not always the easiest for youth to pronounce. Please help your child as you are able if he/she has questions for you.

Schedule (rev. August 12, 2024)

August 2024

MON., 8/19 (Practice)

• 6:45 PM

MON., 8/26 (Practice)

• 6:45 PM

September 2024

TUES., 9/3 (Mass)

• Call Time = 5:15 PM
• Mass = 6 PM
• St. Gregory the Great Feast Day
• Ladies = Black & white
• Gentleman = All black

MON., 9/9 (Practice)

• 6:45 PM

MON., 9/23 (Practice)

• 6:45 PM

MON., 9/30 (Practice)

• 6:45 PM

October 2024

FRI., 10/4 (Mass)

• Call Time = 5:15 PM
• Mass = 6 PM
• This Mass will be held outdoors
• Ladies = Black & white
• Gentleman = All black

MON., 10/7 (Practice)

• 6:45 PM

SUN., 10/13 (Mass)

• Call Time = 3:15 PM
• Mass = 4 PM
• Ladies = Black & white
• Gentleman = All black

MON., 10/21 (Practice)

• 6:45 PM

MON., 10/28 (Practice)

• 6:45 PM

November 2024

FRI., 11/1 (Mass)

• Call Time = 5:15 PM
• Mass = 6 PM
• Holy Day of Obligation for All Saints
• Ladies = Black & white
• Gentleman = All black

MON., 11/4 (Practice)

• 6:45 PM

MON., 11/18 (Practice)

• 6:45 PM

THURS., 11/21 (Mass)

• Call Time = 5:15 PM
• Mass = 6 PM
• Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
• Ladies = Black & white
• Gentleman = All black

December 2024

MON., 12/2 (Practice)

• 6:45 PM

FRI., 12/6 (Concert/Pageant/Lessons & Carols/TBA)

• Evening program
• Location and time is TBD

MON., 12/9 (Mass)

• Call Time = 5:15 PM
• Mass = 6 PM
• Immaculate Conception
• Ladies = Black & white
• Gentleman = All black

SUN., 12/15 (Mass)

• Call Time = 3:15 PM
• Mass = 4 PM
• Ladies = Black & white
• Gentleman = All black

TUES., 12/24 (Christmas Eve Mass)

• Call Time = 2:45 PM
• Christmas Caroling = 3:15 PM
• Mass = 4 PM
• Ladies = UNLV Red tops and black bottoms
• Gentleman = All black

TUES., 12/30 (Mass)

• Call Time = 5:15 PM
• Mass = 6 PM
• Octave of Christmas
• Ladies = UNLV Red tops and black bottoms
• Gentleman = All black

January 2025

MON., 1/6 (Practice)

• 6:45 PM

SUN., 1/12 (Mass)

• Call Time = 3:15 PM
• Mass = 4 PM
• Ladies = Black & white
• Gentleman = All black

MON., 1/13 (Practice)

• 6:45 PM

MON., 1/28 (Mass)

• Call Time = 5:15 PM
• Mass = 6 PM
• St. Thomas Aquinas
• Ladies = Black & white
• Gentleman = All black