by Edie Robertson, Director of Children’s Ministries
As the daughter of a retired elementary music teacher and a father who was in the Navy Choir (and a first class whistler), music was all around me growing up – as natural as eating, breathing, and fighting with my siblings.
I sang in the school and church choirs, took piano lessons and played the saxophone. Music helped shape how I think, how I feel, what I love, who I am.
Although today my music participation is limited to singing in the car with my kids and Sunday worship, my parents were doing me a greater service than I realized.
Eons of research link a child’s exposure to music and the arts with increased brain development, greater success in school, society and life. In fact young people who participate regularly in the arts:
• Are 4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement
• Are 4 times more likely to participate in a math and science fair
• Are 3 times more likely to win an award for school attendance
• Participate in youth groups nearly four times as frequently
• Read for pleasure nearly twice as often
• Perform community service more than four times as often
At Geneva Presbyterian Church we believe that music is equally important in the spiritual growth of a child. This is why we offer choirs for children age three through high school. To appeal to kids like my sixth grade son who thinks choir is “for babies”, we also have sixth grade, Junior High and High School praise bands. Music programs at Geneva are free for all who participate.
As a parent, I’m concerned with the intellectual, social and spiritual development of my children. Unfortunately, with music education taking a hit in most schools today (music is not guaranteed in my children’s school until fourth grade), I’m grateful that I belong to a church that recognizes and has committed to nurturing all three.
For information about how you and your children can get involved, contact Edie Robertson, Children’s Ministry Director at erobertson@genevapres.org.
Sunday traditional services at Geneva Presbyterian Church are at 8 and 11 am; contemporary worship is at 9:30 am. We have many activities and classes for all ages and interests.
