October 31st, 2025

To the Parents of the Little Lamb Choir, 

Already the year seems to be flying by. By the time you read this newsletter approximately 1/3 of our classes will have been completed. Much has been accomplished and yet there is still so much to learn. 

This is an important musical journey and your involvement and support is instrumental.  It guides your child and provides another level on which to connect in a meaningful way. Personalizing binders, singing favourite songs, and finding stickers has great kid appeal. However, it may be time to review the Letter to Parents which was handed out in the first week of classes. I would love to challenge you,  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.     

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.

November and December are big months at the schola.  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 class, please provide some time at home for memorization and check your child's progress periodically. 

Here are the highlights: 

1.  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. 
2.  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.   
3.  December 5th is a BIG day. A Nine Lessons rehearsal and class followed by our First Friday Mass. We will all need to work hard to ensure success while being mindful of their needs. It will be a tiring day.   
4.  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 office.  Thank you so much for committing to this non-mandated event. 
5.  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. 

I love the journey that I am on with each of your children. Thank you for this privilege.

Love Miss Katheryne