MUST REGISTER IN ADVANCE:Registration open NOW, through Thursday, Feb 5, 2026. Click here to register.

This Twin Cities choir festival is open to children and youth in first grade through twelfth grade! Jennifer Cadwell will be leading the children’s choir (1st-5th grades). Jennifer formerly directed children’s choirs at Centennial United Methodist Church in Roseville and currently works with Hennepin Chime. Paolo Debuque will lead the youth choir (6th-12th grades—changed voices welcome!). Paolo is a doctoral student at the University of Minnesota and most recently directed the Viking Chorus and Chapel Choir at St. Olaf College.

While the children and youth are rehearsing, directors will have the opportunity to attend workshops with Chris Cherwien, director of worship and music at Immanuel Lutheran Church, and Phil Radtke, assistant to the director of the Minnesota Boychoir and cantor at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. Chris will lead a session on techniques for leading engaging and effective children’s choir rehearsals. Phil will lead a session on working with young voices. You will also have the opportunity to sit in on a choir rehearsal with Paolo and Jennifer.

Schedule
9:30am | Check in
10am | Workshop I
11:15am | Workshop II
12:30pm | Lunch
1:30pm | Open rehearsal
3-4pm | Abounding in Hope hymn festival, led by the choirs

Registration includes music, lunch and snacks, and a t-shirt. You will receive music shortly after registering and are welcome to use the music in your own congregations this year!

Cost: $25 per director | $20 per child/youth participant
If this exceeds your budget, scholarship money is available. This event is sponsored by the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians, and Hennepin Avenue UMC.

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Program
Participants are expected to be familiar with these songs ahead of the festival date. Directors will receive the music within a week of registering and are free to use the songs in your own contexts!

Children’s rep
Lord, You Are Near Me by Mark Patterson  CGA1075
My Faith’s Got Shoes by Mark Burrows CGA1754
God’s Hands by Mark Burrows from Again, I Say Rejoice CGC56
Tunaomba Mungu Atawale (We Pray God to Reign) arranged by John Paradowski  CGA1171

Youth rep
You will be found from Dear Evan Hansen arr. Mac Huff (SATB) Hal Leonard
I Believe by Mark Miller (SATB) CGA 1310
Shall we gather at the river by Aaron Copland (Unison) from “Old American Songs” 
Be the Change from Justice Choir Songbook
Tunaomba Mungu Atawale (We Pray God to Reign) arranged by John Paradowski  CGA1171

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Frequently Asked Questions