Just Another Day At Lonsdale

The vision for the Cedar Springs Music Academy has been to serve both the church congregation as well as the Knoxville community through quality music instruction. We began working closely with SOAR Youth Ministries at Lonsdale this past summer. During this time, they run a 7-week camp for the local children with a variety of activities ranging from academics to fun and games...and now, a choir.

I first approached Emily McCoy, one of our Academy instructors, about running with this vision at Lonsdale. She accepted the challenge, and we had our first meeting the second week of June. Neither one of us truly knew what to expect at the first rehearsal besides roughly 25 - 30 children, ages elementary through junior high, with enough energy to power a large city. We were not disappointed. Over the next seven weeks, the choir became less about music and more about sharing our time.

As the Academy entered its second year, I knew we needed a more focused plan for these friends at Lonsdale. I also remembered speaking with Jill Lagerberg about a choir member, Suzanne Lane, who had indicated interest in participating in the outreach of the Academy. Suzanne and I met over lunch a week later. Her passion for music and heart for kids was very clear. She unveiled her plan as I sat and listened.

It's inspiring every week to watch as Suzanne pours God's love on these children through her many gifts. She has taken the vision of the Academy and made it real in a way I never anticipated. What started out as a passage to dinner has turned into a time that many of the children eagerly await. Just this week I was greeted at the door by a bubbly little man, "Hey, is the choir lady here yet?" I received this greeting several more times until I realized she had snuck upstairs to prepare the day's crafts.

On Tuesdays, before the 5 o'clock choir practice, several of the children participate in craft time. Typically, they follow a curriculum, but this week Suzanne came early for choir to build some percussion instruments. One of the pieces that they have been working on this semester calls for maracas, tambourines, and sand blocks...and a quick trip to Hobby Lobby.

Several SOAR staff sat in and helped Suzanne walk the children through their crafts. All of the children left with their very own instrument...unfortunately, 25 children plus bags of rice, beans, and beads made cleanup a lengthy process.

Lonsdale is a key aspect of our ministry through the Academy. While we maintain several studios at Cedar Springs throughout the week, it is this one-hour block at Lonsdale that I look forward to the most.... you can't forget those smiles.