The Rev. Jack Alvey, rector at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, along with other community leaders are giving children in the community an opportunity to join a newly developed youth choir that will kick off in January.

“A group of likeminded leaders in the community started developing a vision for a children’s choir that would make a positive impact not only on these children but on the community,” Alvey said. “It’s an opportunity to be a leader, to be a part of a group and a part of something bigger than themselves.”

The choir, Selma Children’s Choir and Orchestra, is something that has been in the works for a while, and Alvey said he is excited to get it off the ground and running.

“I’m most excited for the opportunity for these children to stand on common ground and do something together, like music,” Alvey said. “There aren’t a whole lot of opportunities for our children to cross cultural divides and this gives the children of Selma the opportunity to do that.”

For the first year, the choir will be made up of second and third graders, but Alvey said he hopes to include more ages in the years to come.

“I think music preparation helps children think critically and analytically and also emotionally. I think it gives children a way to mature emotionally and spiritually,” Alvey said. “It helps your brain tap into that creative energy that we all have.”

On Dec. 30, the Atlanta Boy Choir will have a free performance at St. Paul’s at 7 p.m, and Alvey said he hopes people will attend and be encouraged by the performance.

“My hope is that when people see the performance of the Atlanta Boy Choir, they will say to themselves, wow, what if we had this in Selma, and we get to say we are working on it and we want you to be part of that,” Alvey said.

The first rehearsal for the children’s choir will be Jan. 22 from 4-5:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s. The cost is $30 to register and $10 per session. Rehearsals will take place once a week. For more information, call 874-8421 or email selmachildrenschorus@gmail.com. Dr. Camilla Horne, professor of music at Judson College in Marion, will the serve as the director for the choir.