Sara High, a teacher at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School in Wichita, will direct the diocesan Children’s Choir. Auditions for the choir are scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 12, and Saturday, Nov. 16. Parents interested in having their children audition can fill out an application at tinyurl.com/diokidschoir.

Bishop Carl A. Kemme has envisioned having a children’s choir since his time as a parish priest in the Diocese of Springfield, Illinois. Five years ago, he shared this vision with Fr. Gabriel Greer, and today it is becoming a reality.

“I believe there’s a lot of excitement around the diocese about this,” said Fr. Greer.

Sara High will direct the choir, bringing her experience as a music teacher to the role. “So, she’s very familiar with children and singing,” Fr. Greer noted.

Fr. Greer serves as the director of Worship and rector at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. He mentioned that he met with High and Alan Held about a year ago regarding this project; Held is the director of Sacred Music for the Cathedral.

Bishop Kemme expressed his enthusiasm: “Children’s voices can truly enhance the Sacred Liturgy. I look forward to hearing this choir at future diocesan liturgies, giving glory and praise to God.”

High reflected on her own experiences singing in church choirs during her youth: “As a child who loved music, singing that beautiful liturgy had a lasting impact on me as a Catholic musician,” she said.

She added that she is excited for children in the diocese to have similar opportunities: “Ultimately, the purpose of this children’s choir is to nurture the singers’ musicianship as well as their love for God and for our Catholic faith."

A board consisting of teachers and musicians has been formed to assist High in her new role.

Girls and boys (before their voices deepen) from fourth through eighth grades are eligible to audition for the choir. The number of members will be limited by available space in the choir loft.

“We’re excited the Cathedral will be home to the Diocesan Children’s Choir,” Fr. Greer said, adding that they hope to have their premiere performance during diaconate ordinations in late May.