First Lutheran Church Choir School

Founded in 2022, the First Lutheran Church Choir School strives to establish a strong foundation in children for musical and liturgical participation in worship. In the creation of this program, we recognized music's innate ability to change the lives of children and youth who sing and those who listen. Sacred music of great quality helps us proclaim the promises of God in word and song. There is no greater way to share the good news of Christ than through music. As Martin Luther reminds us, "The Holy Spirit honors music as an instrument of His proper work"—that is through music we are strengthened in faith with the hope of Jesus' promise of life.

As a part of the FLC Choir School, we strive to prepare and equip students to make music at the highest level and engage them in sharing their music with First Lutheran Church and the greater Sioux Falls community. In return, we hope students of the FLC Choir School are equipped with the tools to seek out scholarships in higher education, find vocational opportunities, and be lifelong musicians once graduating from the program.

2023-24 rehearsals will begin with a retreat on Saturday, August 26, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with guest clinician Mason Meyer (Choral Director at Roosevelt High School).

Weekly Schedule Overview

Monday
3:30-4:30—Piano Lab open practice

Tuesday
3:00-4:30—supervised homework time
3:30-4:30—Piano Lab open practice
4:30-5:15—Piano Lab
5:15-6:00—Carol Choir
6:00-6:30—meal/RSCM instruction time
6:30-7:30—FLC Choristers make-up rehearsal 

Wednesday
3:00-4:30—supervised homework time
3:30-4:30—Piano Lab open practice
4:30-5:15—Carillon Ringers
5:15-5:45—meal (non-music department)/RSCM instruction time
5:45-6:30—Middle School Bells
7:00-7:45—High School Bells

Thursday
3:00-4:30—supervised homework time
3:30-4:30—Piano Lab open practice
4:30-5:15—Piano Lab 
5:15-5:45—meal 
5:45-6:15—RSCM instruction time
6:15-7:30—FLC Choristers

Vocal Choirs

  • Carol Choir is for Grades K-2. In this ensemble, children explore their singing abilities in an age-appropriate and fun atmosphere. Participation in this group will also help lay the foundation for participation in the FLC Choristers. They sing at 9 a.m. Sunday worship at least twice each semester and at Choir School events.

    Rehearsals on Tuesdays, 5:15-6 p.m.

  • FLC Choristers is for grades 3-8. Following the structure of the RSCM VOICE for LIFE curriculum, this ensemble develops advanced vocal skills, knowledge of music theory, sight-singing, and knowledge of choral repertoire. They will regularly sing at 9 a.m. Sunday worship, Christmas Eve services, Holy Week and Easter services, and at choir school events. Choristers will also have opportunities to embark on tours locally and nationally, as well as participating in RSCM summer courses.

    Rehearsals on Thursdays, 6:15-7:30 p.m.
    optional/make-up rehearsals Tuesdays, 6:30-7:45 p.m.

Handbell Choirs

  • Carillon Ringers is for all beginning ringers, grades 1-8. Serving as an introduction to handbell ringing, the Carillon Ringers will introduce ringers to the mechanics of handbell and handchime ringing, as well as reading basic music notation in a fun and age-appropriate setting. The group will also serve as a foundation for the more advanced Middle School Bells group. Opportunities to advance to the Middle School Bells will be based on an individual's musical development, as determined by the director. Carillon Ringers will ring at 9 a.m. Sunday worship at least twice each semester and at Choir School events.

    Rehearsals on Wednesdays, 4:30-5:15 p.m.

  • Middle School Bells is for ringers in grades 5-8. This ensemble will be guided by a version of the RSCM VOICE for LIFE curriculum modified for handbells. They will ring mostly level 1 and 2 handbell repertoire, study music theory, and develop their handbell ringing technique. Middles School Bells will ring about once per month at 9 a.m. Sunday worship and at Choir School events.

    Rehearsals on Wednesdays, 5:45-6:30 p.m.

  • High School Bells is for ringers in grades 9-12. This ensemble will continue the RSCM VOICE for LIFE curriculum modified for handbells. They will ring mostly level 2 and 3 handbell repertoire, continue their studies of music theory, and develop advanced handbell techniques. High School Bells will ring about once per month at 9 a.m. Sunday worship and at Choir School events.

    Rehearsals on Wednesdays, 7-7:45 p.m.

Piano Lab

The Piano Lab of the First Lutheran Choir School serves to support the musical development of students enrolled in the chorister program. Beginning in 1st grade, students of the Piano Lab will learn keyboard skills through a hands-on curriculum taught either in a classroom setting or in individual lessons. Keyboard skills are an essential tool for learning music theory, composition, sight singing, and for building a solid musical foundation on which to build other instrumental and vocal skills. 

Students who wish to participate in the FLC Piano Lab will also be enrolled in the FLC Choristers or Carol Choir. The choirs and Piano Lab are intended to support one another in the musical development of the vocalists. Students should expect to spend 20-30 minutes of practice time outside of classes and lessons for at least four days each week. Supervised practice time in the Piano Lab will be offered Monday through Thursday, 3:30-4:30 p.m. This commitment is essential to progression through the program.

For the fall of 2023-24, two classes of eight students each will be offered along with the option for individual lesson slots subsidized by the Piano Lab for a cost to the student of $10. Due to limited availability, spots in the Piano Lab will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Piano Lab classes are on Tuesday and Thursdays, 4:30-5:15 p.m.

Individual Lessons are scheduled directly with Matt Tylutki, Director of Children’s and Youth Music.

Piano Lab open practice times are available Monday through Thursday, 3:30-4:30 p.m.

rscm voice for life

Used by the FLC Choir School, the RSCM VOICE for LIFE Chorister Training Program is structured in four core levels: light blue, dark blue, red, and yellow. Each level represents successive, individual achievements in vocal skills, musical understanding (theory and sight-singing), knowledge of repertoire, commitment to the choir, and special projects that help place the ministry of the choir in the broader context of our worship life. Workbooks and cards with specific targets allow choristers to work through the four levels at an individual pace.

RSCM work time is held:

  • 6-6:30 Tuesdays

  • 5:15-5:45 Wednesdays

  • 5:45-6:15 Thursdays