Mission
. . . training children and youth to glorify Jesus Christ through excellent choral singing.
Vision
We honor and celebrate music as a gift from God by creating exceptional choral music, fostering community, and nurturing character.
We equip children and youth for a lifetime of worship and service to the church and community through Christ-centered repertoire that both affirms Anabaptist beliefs and reflects the musical diversity of the church around the world and through time.
History
Founded in 1998, the Mennonite Children’s Choir of Lancaster began as a choir of 31 singers under the direction of artistic director Patricia Strong Myers. Since then, the program has grown to include auditioned and non-auditioned choral opportunities for over 150 children and youth in kindergarten through grade 12. The singers represent a variety of churches, schools, and communities across Lancaster, Lebanon, and Chester counties. They gather on Tuesday evenings from August through May to participate in rigorous classes and rehearsals to prepare for sharing times and a Christmas and spring concert series.
In addition to the bi-annual concert series, the choirs collaborate with other arts organizations, participate in benefit concerts, and share music with schools and other community organizations. Annual summer tours have provided opportunities for national (over 15 states) and international (Canada, Germany, Albania, Bulgaria, Indonesia) travel and ministry. The choir has also had the privilege of singing at events such as Mennonite World Conference in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, local church conference events, Eastern Mennonite Mission events, Mennonite Central Committee benefit concerts and local school chapel services. In addition, the choir has enjoyed connecting with the local community by singing at locations such as retirement communities, Lancaster Central Market, Park City Center, Lancaster Barnstormers and Music for Everyone in Lancaster City. Only a portion of the annual operating cost is covered by tuition donations, offerings, and fundraisers provide additional funding.