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<channel><title><![CDATA[ST JOHN CHOIR SCHOLA - Little Lambs]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.sjcschola.ca/little-lambs]]></link><description><![CDATA[Little Lambs]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 24 Jun 2026 01:46:49 -0600</pubDate><generator>Weebly</generator><item><title><![CDATA[What a year! The Little Lambs rose....]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.sjcschola.ca/little-lambs/what-a-year-the-little-lambs-rose]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.sjcschola.ca/little-lambs/what-a-year-the-little-lambs-rose#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Fri, 29 May 2026 16:50:59 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.sjcschola.ca/little-lambs/what-a-year-the-little-lambs-rose</guid><description><![CDATA[What a year! The Little Lambs rose to the programs, challenges and expectations with an enthusiasm and joy which constantly reminds me of how blessed I am to be at the schola. I have sung their praises throughout the year.What a Year End Concert! Congratulations to all of our schola directors. Brava/Bravo to all.To the Senior Choir - I had the opportunity to watch my Little Lambs as audience members and they were enthralled by your greatly diversified program. All selections had a &lsquo;wow&rsq [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">What a year! The Little Lambs rose to the programs, challenges and expectations with an enthusiasm and joy which constantly reminds me of how blessed I am to be at the schola. I have sung their praises throughout the year.<br /><br />What a Year End Concert! Congratulations to all of our schola directors. Brava/Bravo to all.<br /><br />To the Senior Choir - I had the opportunity to watch my Little Lambs as audience members and they were enthralled by your greatly diversified program. All selections had a &lsquo;wow&rsquo; response from them; their wide-eyes spoke volumes. Ninety singers create a wall of glorious sound that is undeniably magical. Where else does this happen with singers of this age? That so many smaller groups were also showcased - some of them self-directed speaks to the power of music. The Barbershop element has become a beloved tradition - a testament to the talent and intrinsic motivation of all past, present and future students who have connected with the genre. That Malcolm has such superb accompanists is also a blessing. The joint piece that has become an expected tradition is certainly a highlight for all in attendance and those whose perform - including the many alumni that return to the stage.<br /><br />To the Junior Choir - Thank you for always raising the bar with including a great classical selection. The uniformity of vowel and vocal production is something I always appreciate and your singers do this superbly. This year, one of the folktales that I read to the Little Lambs was a version of the Tailor of Gloucester. When they heard another variant of this folktale, their knowing smiles gave them another meaningful connection. That traditional songs/games play an important part in your program certainly gave those moving up great taste of what they may expect.<br /><br />To the Little Lamb Choir - Yes! There were many who commented that the Little Lambs stole the show but this year the comments surpassed the mere cuteness factor. There were focussed, sang in-tune - on the air - and moved simultaneously.&nbsp; Our two part song was also handled very well. Thank you to those who commented on their quality of sound as this is a very important program goal. I was so delighted that they were entertaining, truly got into the character of each individual piece, and were bigger than life storytellers. It was great to see them having fun with making music. However, I owe a gratitude of thanks to Miss Lisa for her amazing gifts as a choreographer and teacher. Our affiliation goes back decades and I am blessed that she is still willing to work with me.<br /><br />I must also comment on the overall effect of &ldquo;The Three Little Pigs: A Howling Success Story&rdquo;. When and to whom to react - what character am I playing at any given point (pig or narrator) and remembering the modified storyline with all those words was no small feat. I think that the Little Lambs did a superb job. Thank you to our wolf Matthias who totally got into the role and scoped out a headpiece that was just perfect. He had a looming presence which was made even scarier when he rose above on the raised boxes. In rehearsal it was obvious that the Little Lambs love Matthias and he is a natural with young children. A word about our narrator, John. He was given the task of coming up with a two-minute introduction. While in the score there were some jokes to set the stage, John was given freedom to create something of his own and what he created was brilliant and delivered with the perfect balance of seriousness and tongue in cheek. His delivery of his lines advancing the plot were spot on. Thanks also goes to Mrs. Chedraui for allowing me to take Matthias and John out of class as needed for rehearsal time.<br /><br />There were two events that made the evening even more exciting:<br /><br />1. The&nbsp; anticipated revealing of the next musical.&nbsp; Obviously there is great acting talent in the team that mounts our musicals. What a perfect way to introduce us to a musical that may not be known to all.&nbsp; What fun to see this musical team in action in a different way. A very clever mini-presentation, indeed. Thank you as well to the mystery dinosaur guest!!!<br /><br />2.&nbsp; I wanted to thank Rianna Neufeldt for taking on the First Schola Cookbook project. This was obviously a labour of love and the end result is a beautiful cookbook. The photography is stunning, the quotes are inspirational and the overall quality with certainly stand up to the messy cook that I am.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<br /><br />At the time of submitting this final newsletter for the 2025-2026 schola year, there are 89 more sleeps until I welcome returning and new singers to the Little Lamb Choir. I can hardly wait.<br /><br /><br /><br />Love Miss Katheryne&nbsp; &nbsp;</div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[There are still a number of exciting projects on the horizon ...]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.sjcschola.ca/little-lambs/there-are-still-a-number-of-exciting-projects-on-the-horizon]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.sjcschola.ca/little-lambs/there-are-still-a-number-of-exciting-projects-on-the-horizon#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Tue, 28 Apr 2026 15:53:56 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.sjcschola.ca/little-lambs/there-are-still-a-number-of-exciting-projects-on-the-horizon</guid><description><![CDATA[It is hard to believe that we have so few classes left. There are still a number of exciting projects on the horizon before our last day of class on May 22nd.&nbsp;1. Our last first Friday Mass is a culmination of learning two of our Latin selections. Both of these are part of the recitation material covered in the homeroom classes - Ave Maria Chant for the Grade 1&rsquo;s and Pater Noster for the Grade 2&rsquo;s. To add the music to these texts is quite an accomplishment. While we have been joi [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">It is hard to believe that we have so few classes left. There are still a number of exciting projects on the horizon before our last day of class on May 22nd.&nbsp;<br /><br />1. Our last first Friday Mass is a culmination of learning two of our Latin selections. Both of these are part of the recitation material covered in the homeroom classes - Ave Maria Chant for the Grade 1&rsquo;s and Pater Noster for the Grade 2&rsquo;s. To add the music to these texts is quite an accomplishment. While we have been joining in with the Pater Noster for a couple of Masses, it is hoped that all the Little Lambs will have a better comfort level singing it in its entirety. While many have committed it to memory some will find it helpful to sing along using the Mass Service Bulletin. Certainly, as the year has progressed we have used these bulletins more frequently. This is directly due to the Little Lambs ever increasing desire to make more sense of the printed word. It is always exciting to see this happen.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br /><br />2. Our second showcase for the year is on May 6th and all are welcome. This showcase will not appear to be as process driven but process is still paramount. This relatively early May time will allow us to see how ready we are for the Year End Concert and the importance of keeping the momentum going. You will also get a chance to see how far we have come in doing so-fa hand signs and how hymns support the programs goals in this area. You will also see how choreography is an extension of our game playing. The ability to sing and move simultaneously is not an easy task for everyone. We have Miss Lisa to thank for the age-appropriate movement that we are doing at the Year End Concert. Moving frees up the singing voice and allows young singers to move out of their comfort zone and become storytellers. Miss Lisa is a very talented choreographer and it is beauty in action to see her work with the Little Lambs. She and I have a very long tradition. While both of our special characters in the age old story of the Three Little Pigs have been introduced to the Little Lambs, you will all have to wait for the Year End Show to see those characters in action. We need to save some surprises!<br /><br />3. The Year End Concert is the time for each Little Lamb to strut their stuff and to be bigger than life in a fun yet authentic way. It is always a highlight to end the show with a joint number. This year we will repeat the one we did last year - &ldquo;The Lord Bless You and Keep You&rdquo;. This selection has been the mainstay of the Senior Choir for ten years! The Little Lambs are excited to be part of this tradition.&nbsp;<br /><br />To ensure that your child may be the best that they may be - please provide them with times to practise the repertoire for our Year End Concert. I still believe that we should all sing every day. Our God-given talents are meant to be shared. There is a wealth of repertoire in their binders.&nbsp;<br /><br />The musical journey continues.&nbsp;<br /><br />Love Miss Katheryne</div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[As we partner on this musical journey...]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.sjcschola.ca/little-lambs/as-we-partner-on-this-musical-journey]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.sjcschola.ca/little-lambs/as-we-partner-on-this-musical-journey#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Tue, 24 Mar 2026 18:42:06 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.sjcschola.ca/little-lambs/as-we-partner-on-this-musical-journey</guid><description><![CDATA[&#8203;Awaiting both Easter and Spring seems to be a long time for all. While we may all be needing a break - for the Little Lambs this seems to be evidently clear.As we partner on this musical journey together, staying focused will allow every Little Lamb to be the best they may be at any given moment. Here are some areas where you may gently encourage. There is still much to do, reinforce and internalise.1. Solfa work is still challenging. It may take more than the scope of a year or two to tr [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="paragraph">&#8203;Awaiting both Easter and Spring seems to be a long time for all. While we may all be needing a break - for the Little Lambs this seems to be evidently clear.<br /><br />As we partner on this musical journey together, staying focused will allow every Little Lamb to be the best they may be at any given moment. Here are some areas where you may gently encourage. There is still much to do, reinforce and internalise.<br /><br />1. Solfa work is still challenging. It may take more than the scope of a year or two to truly internalise this skill yet all our choirs continue work in this area. It is so important that the Little Lambs make productive use in each class to practise this skill even when it as yet is not internalised; the mere repetition eventually brings all musicians to a place of better understanding.&nbsp; One must do this in a committed manner with crisp hand signs.<br /><br />2. Singing is an activity meant to be shared. We all have our God-given voices. Singing on the air effortlessly produces a healthy sound which naturally projects. In a recent class we managed to get to this point and the sound was glorious and it was easy to do.&nbsp; Now is the time to make this way of singing our new habit for each Little Lamb. Holding back does not lend itself to healthy singing.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br /><br />&nbsp;3. As we add more part singing, it may be advantageous for your Little Lamb to read with you their line in our three larger songs as well as the joint number that was recently decided - &lsquo;May the Lord Bless You and Keep You&rdquo;. We did this selection last year as well so the returning students have a great opportunity to be leaders here.<br /><br />4. As is the norm we add choreography to our Year End Concert program. This layer is more challenging than most of our game playing and it replaces some of our game playing. It is a wonderful vehicle to let the Little Lambs be bigger than life storytellers and this year there is a little more characterization in one selection - purposely unnamed.&nbsp; We will also have two surprise guests from the senior choir playing a part in that selection.&nbsp; Tutors have been notified of when we are rehearsing so our thanks goes out to them for their support and flexibility and to the students whom have accepted to be a part. Practicing choreography in front of a mirror is a huge help. If your Little Lamb wishes to give you some sneak peeks into what we are doing - great!<br /><br />5. Congregational singing continues to be a major focus of the curriculum. As older siblings prepare for this, including your Little Lamb would be a wonderful way to sing as a family. Pater Noster is almost memorized and again family support would be very beneficial.&nbsp;<br /><br />I have decided that there is not sufficient time to include one of our Latin selections that I hoped to cover this year - The Bach/Gounod Ave Maria.&nbsp; Should your Little Lamb be diligently working on this, I will find a way to acknowledge their 'at home&rsquo; consistent work.&nbsp;<br /><br />Lastly, I am very proud of the accomplishments of all of our Little Lambs. They have come such a long way. Our curriculum is ambitious and within that there are expectations -&nbsp; too many to list here. While many comment on their cuteness which undoubtedly they are - the music curriculum has goals that go beyond that. There is so much to celebrate as I have commented upon in previous newsletters. Here&rsquo;s to continuing to grow on this musical journey.&nbsp;<br /><br />With the greatest appreciation and love,<br /><br />Miss Katheryne&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[January 20th, 2026]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.sjcschola.ca/little-lambs/january-20th-2026]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.sjcschola.ca/little-lambs/january-20th-2026#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Tue, 20 Jan 2026 22:42:54 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.sjcschola.ca/little-lambs/january-20th-2026</guid><description><![CDATA[I continue to sing the praises of the Little Lambs for their enthusiasm, reverence and overall participation at our Masses. They are more confident in singing whatever parts are assigned to us, and they are becoming more and more responsible - particularly in the Response of the Psalm and the Verse of the Gospel&nbsp;Acclamation. While we may only learn one verse of one hymn, for the other verses they are given the option to sing along on ooh and for those who are very excited about the printed  [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">I continue to sing the praises of the Little Lambs for their enthusiasm, reverence and overall participation at our Masses. They are more confident in singing whatever parts are assigned to us, and they are becoming more and more responsible - particularly in the Response of the Psalm and the Verse of the Gospel&nbsp;Acclamation. While we may only learn one verse of one hymn, for the other verses they are given the option to sing along on ooh and for those who are very excited about the printed word, the Mass Program really&nbsp;assists them in being more fully present. Thank&nbsp;you parents for singing as a family at home.&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;<br />Though Nine Lessons and Carols seems long ago, I must again commend them. They were watchful, sang their hearts out and filed back to their assigned pews like&nbsp;professionals. The Ave Maria chant is a favorite of theirs so they were eager to sing along. Additionally having familiarity with some of the congregational hymns also helped to keep them as focused as possible given that some were almost falling asleep on their feet.&nbsp; As the celebrants processed back in at the end of the service, Bishop McGrattan stopped and shook my hand; he was obviously impressed with the entire evening.<br /><br />A note about ongoing work to be done at home:<br />Please check your child's progress on the Pater Noster and the Bach/ Gounod Ave Maria. Both of these handouts make reference to the videos that I have chosen as models. A gentle reminder that they may need some help to access each video.<br /><br />Soon Miss Lisa will be coming in periodically to assist me with choreography. Singing and moving simultaneously is an important&nbsp;goal of any early&nbsp;childhood music program. While our games assist with this for a good portion of the schola year - moving at the Year End Concert also has a place; it frees the singing voice, and&nbsp;allows&nbsp;singers to be storytellers in a bigger than life way - with fun and authenticity.&nbsp; As some have inquired who this special person is who shares the director space with me at our year end concerts - hopefully this clarifies things. Miss Lisa and I go back decades and I am delighted that she is able to fit us into her very busy schedule. She is amazing at what she does and has the perfect combination of a work ethic which is mindful of the need of a child centered approach.&nbsp;<br /><br />We are also excited to share in a reach out with the Junior Choir on February 6th in Strathmore - this venture is a first for both of our choirs.&nbsp;<br /><br />A very appreciative,<br />Miss Katheryne&nbsp; &nbsp;</div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Mid November onwards was busy. The first trimester was...]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.sjcschola.ca/little-lambs/mid-november-onwards-was-busy-the-first-trimester-was]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.sjcschola.ca/little-lambs/mid-november-onwards-was-busy-the-first-trimester-was#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Tue, 09 Dec 2025 16:43:36 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.sjcschola.ca/little-lambs/mid-november-onwards-was-busy-the-first-trimester-was</guid><description><![CDATA[To the Parents of the Little LambsMid November onwards was busy. The first trimester was being wrapped up and at the time of reading this newsletter marks and comments should be in your hands. I love the opportunity to connect with you and your Little Lamb more individually at the end of each trimester. Choir is a collective activity, however, it is not just the most innately gifted singers who make a choir. It is each member's contributions that give a choir its heart and the Little Lambs certa [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">To the Parents of the Little Lambs<br /><br />Mid November onwards was busy. The first trimester was being wrapped up and at the time of reading this newsletter marks and comments should be in your hands. I love the opportunity to connect with you and your Little Lamb more individually at the end of each trimester. Choir is a collective activity, however, it is not just the most innately gifted singers who make a choir. It is each member's contributions that give a choir its heart and the Little Lambs certainly shine here. They possess an eagerness, a joy of singing and as they make more sense of the rudimentary building blocks - the language of music - they are becoming budding musicians.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<br /><br />We welcomed Advent at the end of November - a time to prepare for the birth of Jesus Christ with the many themes of waiting, hope, peace, joy and love. These themes are evident in the hearts and minds of the Little Lambs yet for many Santa's arrival is perhaps even more exciting. Ah, for the wonder of childhood!&nbsp;&nbsp;<br /><br />I would like to share with you our Nine Lessons and Carols hymn entitled, "A Maiden Most Tender". Both the text and the accompaniment capture the gentleness and tenderness of the mother of Jesus, of Jesus' long awaited birth and the Archangel Gabriel's foretelling. The Little Lamb's seem to connect with this hymn not only due to their child-like voices but the singing of this text seems to come authentically from their hearts. The accompaniment is not as supportive as in many other selections we have done in previous years, but they have enjoyed the hard work needed to make this hymn work.<br /><br />December is always exciting. The Little Lambs have had a number of opportunities to sing outside of class time - at our first showcase of the year, our December Mass/ Rehearsal for Nine Lessons and Carols, and at the BVCC Senior's Luncheon where over half of our Little Lambs participated.&nbsp; A sincere thank you to all families who were able to make this work at a time of year which is already very busy.&nbsp; Being observed is a learned behaviour and the more we sing in a variety of settings the more comfortable we become.&nbsp;<br /><br />A few highlights from the above:<br /><br />Little Lamb Showcase - Thank you to our audience for your heartfelt smiles, encouraging clapping and participation - particularly in the games Engine, Engine and Jingle Bells. You were such great sports. The kid in all of us is certainly alive and well. I am so proud of the Little Lambs - particularly in being 'bigger than life' storytellers, having fun with choreography, and their sensitivity in singing, "A Maiden Most Gentle", I also applaud them for their courage to do sol-fa hand signs with their eyes closed, for the way they entertained and for their attentiveness, smiles and enthusiasm throughout the showcase.<br /><br />Nine Lessons Rehearsal/Class and Mass - December 2nd was a huge day; challenging yet also productive. They are even more excited knowing that they will be front and centre for NLC and singing in the cathedral is always very special. I feel so blessed that we also had class time on site at the cathedral; it was crucial for the day and for events later in the month. With each additional First Friday Mass it is obvious that we are getting better at all the tasks assigned to us - though we had to be mindful of the busyness of the day and how energies may wane - as they did.&nbsp;<br /><br />Bow Valley Christmas Luncheon - This is always a win-win situation. The Seniors literally love the Little Lambs and the Little Lambs were captured by the performance bug and got even more comfortable in front of an audience. They adapted nicely to being on a small stage and sang their hearts out. I am so proud of them.&nbsp;<br /><br />I feel so blessed to be on this journey with your child.<br /><br />Blessings and a Very Merry Christmas to All.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br /><br />Love Miss Katheryne&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[October 31st, 2025]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.sjcschola.ca/little-lambs/october-31st-2025]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.sjcschola.ca/little-lambs/october-31st-2025#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Fri, 31 Oct 2025 15:24:34 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.sjcschola.ca/little-lambs/october-31st-2025</guid><description><![CDATA[To the Parents of the Little Lamb Choir,&nbsp;Already the year seems to be flying by. By the time you read this newsletter approximately&nbsp;1/3 of our classes will have been completed. Much has been accomplished and yet there is still so much to learn.&nbsp;This is an important musical&nbsp;journey and your involvement and support is instrumental.&nbsp; It guides your child and provides another level on which to connect in a meaningful way. Personalizing binders, singing favourite songs, and f [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">To the Parents of the Little Lamb Choir,&nbsp;<br /><br />Already the year seems to be flying by. By the time you read this newsletter approximately&nbsp;1/3 of our classes will have been completed. Much has been accomplished and yet there is still so much to learn.&nbsp;<br /><br />This is an important musical&nbsp;journey and your involvement and support is instrumental.&nbsp; It guides your child and provides another level on which to connect in a meaningful way. Personalizing binders, singing favourite songs, and finding&nbsp;stickers has great kid&nbsp;appeal. However, it may be time to review the&nbsp;Letter to Parents which was handed out in the first week of classes. I would love to challenge you,&nbsp; your child and older siblings to sing 5 minutes every day. This need not take away from what you do as a family - new habits develop in only 21 days. Singing is food for our hearts: it increases endorphins, serotonin and dopamine - all the 'happy' chemicals that make us feel good about ourselves but the act of singing accomplishes so much more. Singing for singing's sake is a worthwhile goal in itself but with a developmentally, sequenced based program we learn to make sense of the basics of music. Already the Little Lambs have some of the rudimentary skills on which to build - towards the goal of becoming musically literate.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<br /><br />Soon we'll be singing again at another first Friday Mass and this singing greatly aids the equally important goal of instilling in the Little Lambs their love of congregational singing. Certainly, your modelling of this in your own home churches and at our First Friday Masses pays dividends as we together work towards this goal. So please know that I am truly thankful to you for doing this so well as we gather to praise and pray together at these Masses.<br /><br />November and December are big months at the schola.&nbsp; Some of the events have the potential of your young singer being bitten by the performance bug. While we do a great deal of repetition in&nbsp;class, please provide some time at home for memorization and check your child's progress periodically.&nbsp;<br /><br />Here are the highlights:&nbsp;<br /><br />1.&nbsp; Our November Mass has already been mentioned. The finals for the Poetry Slam which is very dear to my heart will also happen on November 7th. Congratulations to all who participated in both the qualifying and final rounds. The way that every participant commits to their poem and personifies it in a meaningful way is what keeps this art form alive.&nbsp;<br />2.&nbsp; Our First Showcase of this year is on Wednesday, December 3rd. It is always great to see extended families coming out to support these young singers. The enthusiasm shown by our audience really helps to let these young singers shine. Being observed is a learned behaviour.&nbsp; &nbsp;<br />3.&nbsp; December&nbsp;5th is a BIG day. A Nine Lessons rehearsal and class&nbsp;followed by our First Friday Mass. We will all need to work hard to ensure success while being mindful of their&nbsp;needs. It will be a tiring day.&nbsp; &nbsp;<br />4.&nbsp; December 6th - Nine of our singers have committed to sing at the Bow Valley Seniors' Luncheon. I know that they will sing their hearts out; love their audience and the audience in turn will love them. A win-win situation. Again this is a relatively short commitment and specific details will follow in an email from the administration&nbsp;office.&nbsp; Thank you so much for committing to this non-mandated event.&nbsp;<br />5.&nbsp; December 14th - Nine Lessons and Carols - another big day. The Little Lambs find this a tiring event. If some downtime can be a part of their day or even a nap - they may more easily participate to their fullest. I know that you will find that our selection entitled, "A Maiden Most Gentle" captures their angelic voices. They are already excited by the unique accompaniment.&nbsp;<br /><br />I love the journey that I am on with each of your children. Thank you for this privilege.<br /><br />Love Miss Katheryne&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[We have our first First Friday Mass under our belts...]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.sjcschola.ca/little-lambs/we-have-our-first-first-friday-mass-under-our-belts]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.sjcschola.ca/little-lambs/we-have-our-first-first-friday-mass-under-our-belts#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Tue, 23 Sep 2025 15:43:35 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.sjcschola.ca/little-lambs/we-have-our-first-first-friday-mass-under-our-belts</guid><description><![CDATA[I feel very blessed to be on this musical journey with your child. Even with over half of the Little Lambs being new to the program, the virtue of orderliness has truly helped us work towards being a musical team.&nbsp; I genuinely feel that our hourly time twice a week is productive. Cooperation, enthusiasm, participation, and a willingness to try their best - all have us already internalizing many skills and concepts. A sincere thank you to each of my Little Lambs.&nbsp;&nbsp;I understand that [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">I feel very blessed to be on this musical journey with your child. Even with over half of the Little Lambs being new to the program, the virtue of orderliness has truly helped us work towards being a musical team.&nbsp; I genuinely feel that our hourly time twice a week is productive. Cooperation, enthusiasm, participation, and a willingness to try their best - all have us already internalizing many skills and concepts. A sincere thank you to each of my Little Lambs.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br /><br />I understand that many are singing and sharing their binders at home. Some have even added colour to their handouts which personalizes them in a special way and may even be reason enough for the binder contents to be kept as a childhood souvenir at the end of this year.&nbsp; With the limited class time that we have spent on the Ave Maria Chant in D, it is evident that quite a number of you are assisting your child to find the video(s) that I have recommended on all of the Latin repertoire that is part of the curriculum. Thank you - parents for aiding your child in this. This immersion method is proven to be a very productive learning tool. Soon I will introduce the Pater Noster and Bach-Gounod's Ave Maria will follow. A HOMEWORK assignment of sorts which is ongoing.&nbsp; At our Parent Meeting, I promised that I would&nbsp; keep you in the loop on this.&nbsp;<br /><br />We have our first First Friday Mass under our belts: the second one as well depending on when you read this newsletter.&nbsp; Mass Preparation has been a challenge. In all my previous years at the schola, it has been a very gradual project&nbsp; - paced throughout the year. However, all sung parts of the Merbecke Mass are already known. Please know that this will come more easily to all of the Little Lambs as the year progresses. We have already had some success. They aced the Psalm Response at our first Mass - the role of congregational singing is already becoming dear to their hearts.&nbsp;<br /><br />Please also be watching for a special email about the upcoming Bow Valley Seniors' Luncheon and respond as soon as you are able.&nbsp; I have outlined the many reasons why I support the Little Lamb's inclusion in this non-mandated event. It is my hope that enough will be able to participate.&nbsp;<br /><br />Finally, Thanksgiving is just around the corner and I am thankful for each Little Lamb entrusted to me on this exciting journey. In their binder there is a Thanksgiving Song which would be lovely for them to share as your grace for whatever Thanksgiving table around which you may be sitting.&nbsp;<br /><br />With great thanks,<br /><br />Miss Katheryne&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Another year has flown by even more ....]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.sjcschola.ca/little-lambs/another-year-has-flown-by-even-more]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.sjcschola.ca/little-lambs/another-year-has-flown-by-even-more#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Thu, 08 May 2025 16:21:17 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.sjcschola.ca/little-lambs/another-year-has-flown-by-even-more</guid><description><![CDATA[Another year has flown by even more quickly than previous years at the schola.&nbsp;The Spring Showcase on May 7th was a huge success! It was an opportunity to walk the audience through some processes, and share our successes and growth since our last showcase. It certainly put the Little Lambs on a high which will get them peaking at the exact right moment for the Year End Concert while also locking in our year&rsquo;s work. It is evident that they need an audience to get them excited about per [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">Another year has flown by even more quickly than previous years at the schola.&nbsp;<br /><br />The Spring Showcase on May 7th was a huge success! It was an opportunity to walk the audience through some processes, and share our successes and growth since our last showcase. It certainly put the Little Lambs on a high which will get them peaking at the exact right moment for the Year End Concert while also locking in our year&rsquo;s work. It is evident that they need an audience to get them excited about performing and this is probably true for all of our schola singers. The Little Lambs and I delighted in the participation of our audience - particularly in the game &ldquo;Billy, Billy&rdquo; which revealed that we are all kids at heart.&nbsp;<br /><br />I am so proud of each Little Lamb and highlight the following:<br /><br />1. Singing on the air with full-throated ease which allows them to sound older than they are.&nbsp;<br />2. Their enthusiasm and pure joy of singing.&nbsp;<br />3. Their persistence with the more challenging concepts and skills of the program which has meant embracing mistakes and not relying on the group collective.<br />4. Their growth in becoming congregational singers and their excitement for singing in Latin.&nbsp;<br /><br />This is also the time of year to say goodbye to those who are moving up to the Junior program. It is with heartfelt interest that I will continue to watch their musical and personal growth. Thank you for the memories that I will hold dear. &nbsp;To those returning, I am already looking forward to our next year together. &nbsp;I know that those singers will continue in their refreshing enthusiasm and will grow into leadership roles; some already have shown evidence of this. This is the beauty of multi-aged classes.&nbsp;<br /><br />I wish you all a safe and joyous summer where daily blessings abound.<br /><br />Love Miss Katheryne</div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[I feel so blessed...]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.sjcschola.ca/little-lambs/i-feel-so-blessed]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.sjcschola.ca/little-lambs/i-feel-so-blessed#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Tue, 25 Mar 2025 18:25:38 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.sjcschola.ca/little-lambs/i-feel-so-blessed</guid><description><![CDATA[What a productive period of time it has been - a time of breaking down increasingly complex skills, persistent, focused practice, relating new information to prior knowledge and being patient as we try to put it altogether. We are singing in two parts more and while this proves to be a challenge - particularly for those who are still working so hard to find their in-tune voices - they are all delving in and I can literally see their excitement as they get better.&nbsp;Choreography has started wi [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">What a productive period of time it has been - a time of breaking down increasingly complex skills, persistent, focused practice, relating new information to prior knowledge and being patient as we try to put it altogether. We are singing in two parts more and while this proves to be a challenge - particularly for those who are still working so hard to find their in-tune voices - they are all delving in and I can literally see their excitement as they get better.&nbsp;<br /><br />Choreography has started with Miss Lisa and all who know her from last year were very excited to have her return. Choreography allows the Little Lambs to have even more fun with storytelling, relating to their audience in a bigger than life way with an authenticity which lets their personalities shine through. Yet it is precise and concentrated work which would benefit greatly from practising at home in front of a mirror. I realize that many may wish to keep choreography a surprise so please be patient If they periodically monopolize the mirror space in your home.&nbsp;<br /><br />I am very excited that the Little Lambs are more consistently singing on the air which makes singing an effortless activity and allows them to enjoy a bigger more mature sound. Quite a feat for Grades 1/2 but well within their capabilities.&nbsp;<br /><br />Here are some things you may focus on at home:<br /><br />1. "Loving Shepherd Of Thy Sheep" - all verses should be known. Our rehearsal for Tenebrae Is APRIL 4th but please keep this current as we will continue with it to build additional skills. &nbsp;<br /><br />2. &ldquo;May The Lord Bless You and Keep You&rdquo; has been chosen for our joint piece which will be done at the Mass in Canmore and at our Year End concert. This piece has been a mainstay of the Senior Choir. However, the majority of the Little Lambs have siblings in either the Junior and/or Senior Choirs and this would be an excellent opportunity for them to work towards a common goal.&nbsp;<br /><br />3. Tracking text and notes is one of our curricular goals. For those who are excited about reading, this activity both expands their reading vocabulary, significantly aids the learning process and has them depending less on me. Please read the following longer songs with your child - &ldquo;There Once Was A Tortoise&rdquo;, &ldquo;Whisper&rdquo; and &ldquo;This Is It&rdquo;. This latter one you may know if you were ever a Bugs Bunny fan!&nbsp;<br /><br />4. Ave Maria - both the chant and Bach/Gounod&rsquo;s version will be done at the Mass in Canmore in May. We will sing the first one with the congregation and the second one will be sung as the Communion Motet by the Little Lambs.<br /><br />While this list is long, and we are well on our way with all of the above, singing each day even for a few minutes truly feeds us.&nbsp;<br /><br />At the time of the circulation of this newsletter, we will have less than two months left in this schola year. While we have accomplished so much, it is important that we stay focussed and energised even if our concentration wanes at times. That&rsquo;s all part of both learning to internalize skills and being a performer. I am so proud of the accomplishments of each of the Little Lambs. Individually and collectively they have grown so much. I feel so blessed to be a part of their musical journeys.<br /><br />Miss Katheryne</div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[This is an exciting time...]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.sjcschola.ca/little-lambs/this-is-an-exciting-time]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.sjcschola.ca/little-lambs/this-is-an-exciting-time#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Thu, 23 Jan 2025 17:10:53 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.sjcschola.ca/little-lambs/this-is-an-exciting-time</guid><description><![CDATA[&#8203;The New Year is always an exciting time. With the building blocks acquired to date we are now merrily rolling along - musically speaking.Our year is busy, so I wanted to keep you in the loop and provide you with some guidance on how you may help your Little Lamb on their musical journey. I know that together we may allow them to be the best that they may be.I know that many of the Little Lambs are singing at home - probably the songs that they love. While this is great news, and I hope th [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">&#8203;The New Year is always an exciting time. With the building blocks acquired to date we are now merrily rolling along - musically speaking.<br /><br />Our year is busy, so I wanted to keep you in the loop and provide you with some guidance on how you may help your Little Lamb on their musical journey. I know that together we may allow them to be the best that they may be.<br /><br />I know that many of the Little Lambs are singing at home - probably the songs that they love. While this is great news, and I hope that this continues, the meat and potatoes of the curriculum requires repetition, and great concentration. Our music time together provides opportunities in each class to practise and rehearse so that what was once difficult becomes easier. However, a few minutes a day will pay dividends as we move forward. This is particularly true in the following areas:<br /><br />1. Making more sense of Sol-fa - While there is still a tendency to rely on the group collective, some students are making very productive use of class time and testing how much they truly know. Closing their eyes when practising these skills focuses&nbsp; both the ears and brains more. This could also be done at home to get these skills more internalized. This extra time will give them more confidence.<br /><br />2. Learning our diverse and ambitious repertoire - While much of the music is taught either by rote (I sing, you sing) or immersion learning (I sing, you join in) actual sheet music will be appearing in your child&rsquo;s binder early in February. I am aware of the diverse reading skills that exist. The enthusiastic reader will enjoy having the music in front of them and will quickly discover what a great tool it is to track words and music - making more sense of what is on the printed page. Others would benefit greatly from having the text read to them at home as they point to each word. Again, frequent short sessions work better than a one shot.<br /><br />3. Our Tenebrae Hymn is "Loving Shepherd of Thy Sheep". I know that the Little Lambs will sing this hymn beautifully with a child-like sincerity. This hymn&rsquo;s simplistic melody has a text that has required some explanation. The first two verses should already be confidently memorized with the third verse already started. There are four verses in this hymn so periodic checking of memorization would be helpful. As is sometimes the case with our Tenebrae selection we will be doing the third verse as a round. An exciting opportunity exists for those singers who wish to be featured in small group solo/soli for Verse I. Auditions will be held during class time. There seems to be a fair amount of enthusiasm to be in a small group.<br /><br />4. The next challenge is to memorize our new Ave Maria by Bach/Gounod. Some of the details are already on the homework page with a link. Young singers have a great capacity to learn music via listening repetitively and singing along. Not unlike other challenges students will be awarded House League points up to a maximum of 50. All efforts will be acknowledged with some points. The due date is February 19th so that in class testing may be done before out next break.<br /><br />Finally, congratulations to all of the Little Lambs for their hard work on learning the Merbecke Mass Setting. As of the First Friday Mass in February, we will have joyously sung all parts with the congregation with the exception of the Gloria which is not on our &rsquo;to do&rsquo; list. Overall, accomplishments on many fronts seem to take off at this time of the year. I am so proud of all of the Little Lambs!<br /><br />With Appreciation,<br />Miss Katheryne</div>]]></content:encoded></item></channel></rss>