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Ladera Community Church starts youth music program

by Marjorie Mader

There's something new to sing about at Ladera Community Church.

The church has started a youth music program that serves students from pre-kindergarten to high school at 3300 Alpine Road in Portola Valley.

Those in third grade and under can participate in group singing and musical activities that take place from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. in Sunday School. Fourth-graders and above can participate in the youth choir.

Participants can develop group-singing skills, build musicianship and stage presence, and perform at the church and other local venues.

In addition, they can learn to play the ukulele.

"One of the best things about being a singer is to be able to play an instrument that accompanies your own voice,"says Margaux Millman, director of Ladera's youth music program."Ukulele is hugely popular and an instrument that kids can have great, early success with."

As part of the new program, the church purchased 20 ukuleles for choir members. Choir rehearsals regularly incorporate playing and learning the instrument. Besides developing musical skills, emphasis in the youth choir is on team-building, musical camaraderie, and music as a medium for personal expression.

Although the choir meets at Ladera Church, it is open to all children in Ladera and nearby communities. A significant aim of the choir is to provide free musical opportunities to children.

Local children, interested in participating, are encouraged to attend rehearsals of the youth choir Sundays from 11 a.m. to noon in the church.

Ms. Millman is a doctoral candidate in music education. In addition to her work with Ladera Community Church, she is a private voice and piano instructor for children and adults.

Email Margaux@Ladera.org to reach Margaux Millman, director of the youth music program, for more information.