Bay County Christian Youth Choir

What is it? An independent interdenominational Christian youth choir for 9th - 12th grades with some exceptions for 8th grade and early college.

What type and style of music does the choir sing? The choir sings a mixture of classical choral literature, traditional hymn arrangements, spirituals as well as contemporary praise and worship songs, and each choir member will have a speaking part during the tour program.

When does the choir meet? Sunday afternoons from 3:30 to 5:00 at the First Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall (in downtown Panama City). The first rehearsal is October 4, 2009, and there will be an open house (dinner provided free of charge) at the First Presbyterian Fellowship Hall on Tuesday evening, September 22 at 6:00pm.

Why is there a new choir? The choir is an interdenominational choir that will attract youths from many different churches in Bay County, in particular those churches that do not have a touring youth choir. The choir has adopted the evangelical statement of faith published by the National Association of Evangelicals, and our prayer is that we will walk beside our local churches in assisting them to train the next generation to be worshippers of Christ.

How often will the choir sing? Is there a Tour? The choir will have a Christmas program, will sing in area churches and for civic functions every few weeks. The highlight is the Spring Tour after the School year; on tour the choir will travel on a charter bus, sing at churches, retirement homes and rescue missions, learn from Bible studies, meet people through concerts and evenings with "homestay parents" from churches, and have fun at historical sites, amusement parks, museums, etc)! The destination for the 2010 Spring Tour is San Antonio and Austin, Texas, and the tentative dates are June 9 or 10 (Wednesday/Thursday) through June 19 (Saturday).

What does it cost? The primary expense is the choir tour, and the estimated cost for choir tour is $300 to $600 depending on the destination. We will work with your local church to encourage them to assist choir members in paying choir fees and there will be a scholarship fund to provide supplemental funding for those that can not afford the fees.

Who are the directors? Nevin Zimmerman, Director; Jody Schnell, Vocal Coach; Gigi Zimmerman, Tour Coordinator. These three bring many years of choral and youth experience to the choir: Nevin and Jody have been music directors at their respective churches; Nevin and Gigi started the Covenant Presbyterian Youth Choir in 1992 and have worked continuously with it, and Jody is the choral director at Mosley High School, directs the Pro Arte Chorale.

What is the mission of the choir? The Bay County Christian Youth Choir experience teaches choir members (i) to speak and sing in public, (ii) the experience of homestays with "strangers" that are brothers and sisters in Christ, (iii) how to work together to achieve goals that can only be achieved collectively, (iv) the discipline of making a long-term commitment and the rewards of hard work,(v) how to "get along" with fellow choir members and (vi) skills that enable them to be what God has called us all to be: worshipers of Him.

To obtain more information about the Bay County Christian Youth Choir, Inc. contact Nevin at 850.215.6604 and/or nevin@nevinzimmerman.com.