Sacred Heart students visit Notre Dame

LYNN – Five students from Sacred Heart School in Lynn stood as early advocates for the importance of youth choirs at a University of Notre Dame event last month.Katherine McGee and her twin brother, Thomas, along with triplets, Alex, Timothy and Larissa Bogomolov, traveled to the college with their families and Sacred Heart School Music Director Jennifer Cimino to attend the anniversary dinner for the University of Notre Dame’s Folk Choir, which began 30 years ago with Director Steve Warner.Cimino previously worked as Warner’s graduate assistant and was asked to attend the dinner to speak about her experiences as a music minister in Lynn.Cimino expanded the previous Sacred Heart School Children’s Choir in 2007 from a small group of 10 female singers to the current group of approximately 50 choir members.”I wanted to include the kindergarten students and elect a choir government,” said Cimino. “If you want to be in the choir, we include everyone. We don’t hold auditions; it’s more of an enthusiasm thing. Even the 5-year-olds who might not know how to read music are able to feel included.”Cimino says leading a children’s choir is one way to boost the negative light that she feels is often placed on the Catholic Church.”The Catholic Church gets a lot of negative press,” said Cimino. “I think something like having a children’s choir that aims to educate children about the positives and theological side of the Catholic Church and to help them participate in their religious traditions is just a way for me to revitalize the church from within.”Student and choir president, Katherine McGee, daughter of state Sen. Thomas McGee, was asked to be a guest speaker in front of a crowd of 250 Notre Dame alumni and participants in the Folk Choir.”Katherine made a wonderful three-minute speech about her experience in a leadership role in the children’s choir and the importance of being involved in a youth choir,” said Cimono. “Children in leadership roles, specifically in church communities, might be able to inspire participation in these programs in a way that maybe an adult wouldn’t.”The students and Cimino spent time on the South Bend, Ill. campus sightseeing, as well as visiting an art institute in Chicago and attending a University of Notre Dame football game.The trip took place just a few days after the death of University of Notre Dame student Declan Sullivan, who died when the portable tower he was standing on to film a football practice toppled over.”The Folk Choir was immediately called on to participate in the Mass and commemoration events and the kids were able to witness them performing during a time of grief,” said Cimino.Last year the Folk Choir went to Sacred Heart School and performed a concert for choir members, students and faculty. Recently, the SHS children’s choir began performing Folk Choir songs written by Warner.McGee wrote in her speech, “The Folk Choir visit has only made the SHS choir better,” she said. “For instance, we have started using instruments like a djembe, vibraslap, sticks and others.”The Sacred Heart School children’s choir performs at 10 a.m. Mass every Sunday at Sacred Heart Church.