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Young voices help tell an old story

A children's choir enjoys the love of God and music by taking part in an Easter cantata.

By JEAN JOHNSON
Published April 1, 2006

SPRING HILL - Fourteen-year-old Faith Kelly has been a member of the Creator's Kids choir at Fellowship Community Church, a Wesleyan Church, since she was 5.

Why? "Because I love it," Faith said.

That response is typical of the nine members of the musical group. They love their choir.

Choirmaster Shirley Beck and her charges appear to belong to a mutual admiration society; they love each other and their chosen church mission.

Beck, 65, a Baltimore transplant, has been a member of Fellowship Community for about four years. She first became a choir director in 1985, after a dream that she was teaching a children's choir.

"I felt the Lord wanted me to become a choir director, and I've been doing it ever since," Beck said.

For the past couple of weeks, Beck and her charges have been rehearsing for the Easter cantata, "Hosanna, He is Risen." Choir members include: Kathryn, Chylloe and Alyssa Gonzalez, ages 8, 7 and 6, respectively; Alexis and Amanda Waranka, ages 15 and 12; Faith Kelly, 14, Beck's granddaughter; Pricilla Sands, 12; Alisa Balog, 13; and Sarah Olson, 10.

Beck said every time the choir sings, it gets a standing ovation. She chuckled when reminiscing about the first time the group sang to the congregation.

"They were startled because when the congregation stood to applaud, they thought everyone was leaving," she said.

Watching the choir rehearse, one can see that the members put their hearts into their work.

Chylloe Gonzalez said she likes singing in the choir "because you can learn about God and I like to sing."

Alexis Waranka said she enjoys singing because "it's uplifting and it's like a soul cleanser."

Geni Ramirez, mother of Alexis and Amanda, said the girls had a friend who was a member of the choir, and three years ago they asked if they could join. Knowing they love music and love to sing, Ramirez acquiesced.

The Rev. Jim Keller, pastor of Fellowship, said he is "delighted to have young people involved in our church, and we're glad that they're under the direction of Shirley Beck. She's doing a wonderful job with them."

Keller said the choir is only one part of the church's youth ministries. He said the congregation has been overjoyed to see young people involved in the church because "they are the future of our church."

In addition to the Easter performance, the choir sings at Christmas. And once a month the group sings a special song requested by Keller.

"The congregation looks forward to their input, and the kids enjoy singing for them," Keller said.

Beck is proud of her young singers.

"They can hear a song for the first time, and I'll play it back for them, and by the time they have their first rehearsal they know the words," she said. With only two rehearsals remaining before the Palm Sunday presentation, Beck was thinking about the pizza party she will throw for the choir members to thank them for all their hard work.

"They never disappoint me. Sometimes I wonder in practice if this will ever go anywhere, but when they get up in front of the audience they have never disappointed me," she said.

In addition to preparing the choir vocally, Beck makes the robes and costumes for all presentations.

During the Easter cantata, the choir will sing about 10 songs, during which Beck will show pictures about the life of Christ with a PowerPoint presentation.

"We always pray before each performance," Beck said. "That way they know we're in God's hands. A lady once told me that she has heard many choirs sing, but when she listened to the Creator's Kids choir she said they gave her a thrill. That's what I want.

"When a little child can lead you, you know that's great."

"Hosanna, He is Risen," an Easter cantata, will be presented by the Creator's Kids choir at 10:45 a.m. Palm Sunday, April 9, at Fellowship Community Church, 11250 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. Free. For information, call 686-4612.

[Last modified April 1, 2006, 00:55:17]