My name is Leanne Stoterau Hahn, and I am the Director of Music for Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Parish in Orland Park, Il. For the past twenty-eight years, I have been blessed to direct this remarkable parish's remarkable Children's Choir/Youth Chorale.

I have witnessed through the making of music together, young people grow from children to adults, all the while singing, learning, and most importantly growing in their faith. The rewards have been many, even countless. Over the past 28 years, former members have gone on to study music in college and many are degreed musicians, music teachers and professional musicians. Many former members are involved in community and professional productions, and boast impressive musical resumes. Ours is a training camp of sorts for young singers and musicians, but it is so much more.

Our amazing Children's Choir family is truly that. As an extended family, this music family comprises children and many parents who are deeply involved. It comprises siblings, past and future, who wait in the wings for their time to join us. It comprises loving grandparents who help and support our efforts. All members support each other as well- as we witness to faith, to beauty, to truth, to friendship, and to learning and journeying together.

This also makes us a faith community. Just as we learn about our faith and our Christian history and heritage though the gift of song, we learn who we are as music makers, as gift bearers and sharers. We learn how to sing, what to sing and most importantly, why we sing. We sing because we can, and we sing because we are grateful, but most importantly, and we sing because we recognize our responsibility to share our song of hope for those not only within but beyond our walls.

One of our goals for our upcoming tour is to sing at Saint Patrick's Cathedral in NYC. Hopefully we will get to see our friend, Bishop Ron Hicks, currently the new Archbishop of New York! We are grateful, in advance, of any support you can offer, as we prepare for our New York city tour!

We prepare and go with your blessings, and with a song of gratitude in our hearts!