The children's choir at First United Methodist Church of Baton Rouge offers more than just music.
The church's choir program has two groups of children, one for kindergarten through second grade choirs and one for third through fifth grade choirs.
“A big part of our mission is teaching kids music and music skills, but we think music teaches so much more than that,” says Holden Miller, assistant director of music and the church's organist. “Music teaches kids life skills, social skills, leadership. It also teaches them how to be team players, because even if you form a choir or a group of musicians, you can't do it alone.”
The program was put on hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the church has been rebuilding since then, and along the way, Miller is making sure participants learn some life lessons along the way.
Currently, the two programs have a combined total of 30 members, most of whom are children who attend the church, but membership is not limited to children.
“We're very open and welcoming to people outside of the church,” Miller said, “and we really want to reach out to kids outside of the church and give them a music experience.”
Miller is planning one outreach project for the church to host a music and arts camp for children next summer, but that will be next summer. For now, the focus is on the children's choir program, with two groups performing twice each semester.
Miller has seen firsthand the difference the program has made in children's lives.
“I think their experiences open the door for people of different backgrounds to collaborate and talk to each other,” he said. “I think that's true for kids, and I think that's true for adults, too.”
He added that the choir is unique in bringing together children involved in other areas of sports and the arts.
“When you come to choir practice, you can leave a bunch of stuff at the door and come along and have fun and learn and hone skills that you don't often get elsewhere,” Miller said.
Research has shown that singing strengthens social bonds and cohesion, fostering a sense of community. According to the Sing Up Foundation, a UK-based organization focused on promoting child development through music, singing with others strengthens empathetic relationships, creates a positive group identity and improves mental health.
“Singing is an intimate activity, and sharing it with others strengthens bonds. Studies have shown that singing in a group is an excellent nerve-wracking experience (regardless of the quality of the outcome) and can even synchronize the heart rates of people who sing together,” says singupfoundation.org.
Miller believes singing has taken a back seat during the pandemic and a lot of this type of social interaction has been lost, and he wants to bring singing back into the spotlight.
“Music is important and it teaches us so much more than just musical technique,” he said. “It teaches us about life, it teaches us about knowledge, it teaches us about how to interact with each other.”
Finally, Miller believes the program offers a way to inspire others. Both choirs offer participants an opportunity to showcase their individual talents and understand people from different backgrounds.
“For me, one of the great things about music is how much it can encompass, and how it's natural for me to do that,” he said. “It can teach people so much without them really realizing that they've learned anything.”