The Mennonite Children’s Choir of Lancaster (MCCL) is holding auditions for the 2019-2020 choir year. Auditions include matching pitch, singing in tune, using head voice, maintaining a melodic line while another line is being sung and singing one prepared piece of music. 

MCCL serves over 150 singers. The performing choirs involve singers in Carol Choir, grades 2–5; Concert Choir, grades 6–8; and Chamber Choir, grades 9–12.  The choirs practice weekly on Tuesday evenings late August through early May. 

The choirs are led by artistic director Rosemary Blessing and director Sarah Wingard. Blessing holds degrees in piano performance and business administration from Eastern Mennonite University and has pursued graduate study in choral music. She maintains a private piano studio and teaches piano at Franklin and Marshall College. An active pianist in the Lancaster area, Blessing currently plays with the Allegro Orchestra.  She is a founding member of the Beyond Ourselves chamber ensemble, a project pairing music and social justice, with annual benefit concerts promoting and supporting the global work of Mennonite Central Committee.  

Wingard earned her bachelor’s degree in music education from Messiah College with a concentration in voice and extensive study in piano. Growing up in Virginia, she gained early musical experience singing with the nationally acclaimed Shenandoah Valley Children’s Choir. Sarah teaches elementary music at the Locust Grove campus of Lancaster Mennonite School. Wingard also sings and regularly solos with the Susquehanna Chorale. 

Prospective singers should schedule a 15-minute audition time slot with Wingard at 540-383-9986 or carolandconcertchoir@lancastermennonite.org

MCCL is also accepting registrations for two non-auditioned programs that develop vocal skills: Prelude Music for children in kindergarten and grade 1 and Choristers for grades 2-8. Classes are held Tuesday evenings from September through November and again in February through April. To register, contact Audrey Livengood at 717-455-7025 or mccl@lancastermennonite.org

The mission of MCCL is “training children and youth to glorify Jesus Christ through excellent choral singing.” 

This program of Lancaster Mennonite School is open to the community.