CHILDREN’S CHOIR SHARES GIFTS FOR CHRISTIAN LIVING America... are you looking for an alternate style of music that you and your children can enjoy? Do you need some new tunes to help ease your toddler to sleep? Are your students bored with singing the same old songs? Do you need something to help your youth get their praise on? If you answered yes to any of these questions, Orlando, Florida and its Cathedral Choir has a solution. The choir of five to 12-year olds has released ”Let The Children Sing,” a series of CDs packed with a variety of contemporary and traditional black gospel pieces that children across the country already are enjoying. To complement the wonderful blends of songs, a music book featuring the ”Let The Children Sing” theme is now available. Their original CD, which debuted on Anvil Records the summer of 1999, gained the favor of Orlando-area radio announcers on black gospel radio programs. And, the music is being aired on gospel radio stations throughout these United States. The Cathedral Choir’s video single “Inherit the Kingdom” was the most requested video on Dr. Bobby Jones “Gospel Video” program and was named Children’s Music Video of the Year. Dr. Bobby Jones states, “America just loves these babies!” It’s the video where the children run into the church to have church. “There really has been a huge demand for the CD because while several youth gospel choirs have recorded music, this is the first choir of really young children to record “Sunday-morning-gospel music,” said Minister Michael Thompson, minister of music at St. Mark and the producer and promoter of the CD. “Not only are we entertaining adults and children, but we’re doing it while ministering to them.” The video and CD were also on the ballot for two Stellar Awards! Thompson’s wife, Gerry, who also directs the choir, wrote all of the songs on the first CD. The music was written with the goal of providing easy lyrics for St. Mark’s youngest choir members. Once the music grew into a CD, it was intended to be sold only at the St. Mark Love Christian Bookstore. But the couple decided to release it nationwide to share the music with other musicians who may be having trouble finding black gospel music that is appropriate for little children. The music book is a natural complement to the CDs, providing musicians with the tools needed to perform the songs and teach them to other children. Aspiring young musicians also will find the sheet music offers a challenging yet fun alternative for practice and performing. Day-care centers, Christian academies, other schools and parents find the variety of songs a true blessing as it builds on the theme of doing what is necessary to live a Christian life…and have fun offering praise. With upbeat tempos, a historical reading and melodic blends, the multi-faceted CDs have garnered great reviews. “One woman said that she plays Don’t Be Afraid - a soft, lullaby-like tune on the original CD - for her granddaughter every night she visits and the child sleeps soundly,” said Gerry Thompson. “The little girl used to hate to go to sleep at night because she had nightmares.” The sheer professionalism of The Cathedral Choir rings through on every song - thanks in part to the extensive practice for the studio, at church and on stage. Recent engagements have included appearing at The World Congress Center in Atlanta; 3 performances each day for several days at Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom, and EPCOT and Downtown Disney in Orlando, Florida; helping to kick-off Universal Studios Grinchmas Christmas Celebration; “Hopeville” at Sea World featuring Kirk Franklin, Donnie McClurkin and Yolanda Adams; entertaining participants of the Mayor’s many city-wide events; and singing to senior citizens at Guardian Care Nursing Home in Orlando. The highlight of the choir’s performances was its first concert, the summer of 1999, which featured renowned recording artists, The Williams Brothers. The Cathedral Choir and the (Mississippi-based) Williams Brothers performed to a sold-out crowd at a concert that was held in the St. Mark sanctuary. Many rushed to purchase the CD saying, “This is just what my kids need! Thank you!” Sales of the CD were brisk immediately after the concert attendees purchased them for gifts for adults and children. The Cathedral Choir’s ministry has not been limited to Orlando, Florida. The Choir successfully completed their first tour in 1999. The 12-city July 1999 Let The Children Sing! Tour took them from the Super Dome in New Orleans for the Full Gospel National Baptist Convention to the White House in our nation’s capital. In the year 2000, a 15-City tour was a major achievement. The Cathedral Choir performed at the kick-off musical of the John P. Kee ”Victory In Praise” Seminar. The Choir opened for Kirk Franklin! The audience’s ovation called for an encore performance. Ms. Yolanda Freeman, National Youth Director for The Church of God, insisted on having The Cathedral Choir for a whole weekend. During the July 2001 Let The Children Sing! Tour, The Cathedral Choir opened for James Hall and Worship & Praise in Washington, DC. They had two performances in Texas that turned into three. The Choir performed at a 7:45 a.m. service in Houston and hopped on a plane to perform at an 11:00 a.m. service in Dallas. However, The Cathedral Choir was not allowed to exit the plane until they gave a performance on board the plane by special request from the captain! The 2002 West Coast Tour was a slamming success! The Choir flew into Seattle, WA and toured from Seattle, Tacoma into Portland, OR, down to San Francisco, Oakland and Los Angeles, CA! The Choir continued to promote their sophomore project ”Let The Children Sing” Volume II last summer. Plans for the 2003 West Coast Tour were canceled due to the atmosphere of war. The Choir instead toured the mid west, north and east Coast. The Tour included 14 cities and took place July 10-24 2003. Some highlights of The 2004 Tour were in Indianapolis at the A.M.E. Quadrennial and also opening for Stellar Award winner Luther Barnes in Oklahoma City. The 2005 tour that promoted their latest project ”Let The Children Sing” Volume III with featured track “I Get My Praise On!” took them from: Atlanta, Savannah, Charlotte, Detroit, Flint, Chicago, Indianapolis, Toledo, Louisville, Pittsburgh, Chattanooga, Birmingham, Oklahoma City, Dallas, Austin, Houston. In the latter part of 2005 ISing/IPlay Productions was moved from Orlando to Jacksonville, Florida where Bro. Michael E. Thompson serves as minister of music and Sis. Gerry serves as director of music at Wayman Chapel (under the leadership of Pastor Mark L. Griffin). ISing/IPlay Productions was given the task and challenge to help develop the talents of the children here. Rev. Mark L. Griffin founded The First Coast Children’s Choir (The FC3). The 2006 First Coast Children’s Choir tour was fantastic and a great success. In 2006, the choir was nominated for a Stellar Award in the category of Children’s Music Performance of the Year. The 2006 tour schedule will be posted on the website. ”Let The Children Sing” and ”Let The Children Sing” Volume II and III CDs and Music Books are available through Central South call 1-800-251-3052. For more information on The Cathedral Choir call 1-904-268-8285. Or, to hear a sample of the music, log on to the web site address www.isingiplay.com.