Youngstown Community Youth Choir offers more than song

YOUNGSTOWN

Members of Greater Youngstown Community Youth Choir belong to a musical family that lifts up its voice in a mixture of music.

Kelan Haynes, director, and Thomas Berry, assistant, members of New Bethel Baptist Church, 1507 Hillman St., supervise the group.

Haynes and Berry said the youth choir originally was organized last year to participate in the Martin Luther King Day celebration and did the same this year. The choir sang at the community worship services.

There was enough interest to keep it going.

About 30 singers are involved, ranging in age from 10 to young adults.

“We sing a variety of music ... Gospel, contemporary Christian and hymns,” Haynes said. “I want them to use their energy to connect to Christ through music.”

The director said some churches do not have a youth choir so this provides that opportunity.

“We want to be visible to young people and be mentors,” said Berry, a member of New Bethel choir. He said he enjoys sharing his interest in music. “I also want to be able to help them in their walk with God and be a visible example of being a servant of God.

To learn more about the choir and how to join, read Wednesday's Vindicator or Vindy.com.