The Lyrica Sacra Youth Choir offers young singers a unique opportunity to grow musically and spiritually while building meaningful friendships. Members develop vocal skills through rehearsals, performances, and devotionals, deepen their understanding of the music, and connect with others who share their faith and passion for singing. Each season is filled with memorable experiences that inspire participants to use their talents for God’s glory.
2024 Summer Mini Season
by Faith Stoltzfus
In July 2024, Lyrica Sacra launched its first Youth Choir Mini Season. The group consisted of 54 singers, a string quartet, a pianist/harpist, and the conductor, Yuriy Kravets. True to its name, the Mini Season was quite short compared to the spring programs: we only had three rehearsals before giving two programs. The Youth Choir not only got together to practice, but we also re-established friendships, practiced vocal skills, and took time and effort to study the lyrics. Everyone enjoyed the Youth Choir and the experiences that made it awesome, like when a Coach Bus showed up to transfer everyone but the harpist and conductor to the evening’s program location. We always had something to talk about – from which type of music is the best to the dress code.
The Mini Season also included devotionals at each practice and a special Sunday morning service where we took time to study and understand the words of the songs we sang. On one Monday night rehearsal, we were privileged to have David Wellman, a former resident of Germany, come and speak to us. He gave a short devotional from Psalm 103 (which we sang in German) and gave us some tips on our German pronunciation.
We gave two programs: one on Saturday, July 13, and the other on Sunday, July 14. I would say they went very well, considering the smaller amount of rehearsal time and the new people! You could tell that everyone put in their work at home and practice did not only happen at the rehearsals. Like life, the whole thing wasn’t perfect and we made mistakes, but we all did our best for God’s glory. By the end of Sunday evening (despite being tired and depressed that it all was over) I think we were all spiritually refreshed and anticipating the next season.
I really enjoyed and found all the songs encouraging but I think the two that stood out to me the most were “Rejoice The Lord is King” and “And Can It Be”. Rejoice The Lord is King was such a fun and happy song to sing. In it we sing the words “His kingdom cannot fail; He rules o’er earth and heav’n; The keys of death and hell are to our Jesus giv’n:”, This is a wonderful reminder that even with war and all the bad things that happen in this world that God’s kingdom will never fall and he has everything under control. We then sing the phrase “Lift up your heart, lift up your voice; Rejoice; again I say, rejoice!”, which pretty much speaks for itself. God is asking us to rejoice in everything, big or small. And Can It Be” has a very powerful message. And it not only has beautiful music but beautiful words. “Died He for me, who caused His pain? For me, who Him to death pursued? Amazing love! How can it be That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?”. All of us have gone through things and done things that were not pleasing to God, but he still, no matter how sinful we are, has the love and grace to forgive and even die for us. I am always encouraged when I sing or listen to this song and hope that it did the same for the people we sang it to this past season.
Shalom Kravets
One of the reasons the Lyrica Sacra Youth Choir is special to all of us is the way all different types of conservative musicians can get together, focus on one thing, and be friends. Spending time with all the youth who are singing and using their talents for God’s glory is a blessing. And then we had the meditations before each program, where we got to stop and think with people around us who are the same age, going through the same life difficulties, and experiencing the same situations as our own selves. We all have made friends at Lyrica Sacra who have stood beside us, faced the same nervousness before going to sing in front of an audience, and sang, with the prayer that God will comfort someone through the songs we were singing.
The finishing touches to our standing arrangement before the program.A visit to McDonalds after a rehearsal A dull pencil is better than a sharp memoryA special gift for our conductor In rehearsalThe bus ride to our Saturday program
Mini Season Live Stream
Videos
Sing To the Lord a New Song was really fun and inspiring. The writer is good at making you feel like you want to sing from your heart, not just because you have to. So often, we sing songs without actually looking at the words and thinking about what they mean. In this song, the writer tells us to sing a new song with harp and trumpet, rejoicing and clapping our hands, and to get all the Earth to sing too in a joyful chorus to the Lord!
Craig Hochstetler
I had the privilege of singing “Create in Me a Clean Heart” with the youth choir in spring of 2024 then again in the mini season the following summer. The text for this song is taken from Psalm 51, In this Psalm, David pleads with God to purify his heart, renew his spirit, and to fill him with the joy of salvation. It then ends with asking God to open his mouth, so he can sing and praise God. This piece is beautifully composed and I think it does a wonderful job at portraying the reason we learn and sing these songs – to praise God.
Cindy Martin
“This our hymn of grateful praise” is an apt description of “For the Beauty of the Earth.” Mainly following the familiar melody, the text reminds us of the blessings God has given us; nature, family and friends, time, and grace. For me this song is associated with the magnificence of God’s willingness and desire to bless His children. For all He has done, we will return to Him with grateful praise.
Janita Zimmerman
Gallery
Putting programs together before the eveningWatch your back because you never know who might be taking a picture Signing books and papers is a part of LS for the younger onesGames aren’t youth exclusive All sorts of games are played after rehearsals and during breaksThere’s a lot that goes on during dress rehearsals, selfies help cure boredom.Waiting to go on stage for a rehearsal a rather loud game of winkers Cindy and CassiePassing timeVocal warmupsAndrew, Nathaniel, Josh, Benjamin, Faith, and Ashley
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