Young Singers Harmonize with Kids Worldwide

PEORIA - If you step inside Peoria's Sacred Heart Catholic Church, you'll hear the voice of angels.

"There's something that happens every time you hear children's voice," said director James Marck.

"It usually give me goosebumps," said co-director Emily Volz.  

Pueri Cantores is Latin for "Little Singers," and it's the name of this new youth choir ringing in an old tradition.

These young people are part of an international organization dedicated to teaching traditional catholic values through music.

"One, we're answering the need of a higher profile of children's liturgical music," said Marck.  

They learn and sing Gregorian chants and music in Latin. Marck says it helps the church bring kids together.

"You know we are a downtown parish, we don't have a school. So much of what most parishes ride behind as far as community, we don't have the facilities for. So we dedicate the time to liturgy and music," he said.  

Even sisters, Natasha and Antonia Rupert, say singing together has drawn them closer together and to their faith.

"He teaches us the history about the chants. We're learning so it's kind of a history, religion and music class," said Natasha.   

"It's a gift. It's absolutely a gift. For one, they're going to be able to do something that I never got to do, but its way, way more than that," said their mother, Stefanie.

Their mom is right. This music reaches far beyond the pews of their Peoria church. All across the world, Pueri Cantores children are learning the same songs. Next month these children will join other choirs in Chicago.

"It's really cool to think that right now you're learning a song and you're like this is all fun and stuff and you're with all the other kids. And to know that in a few weeks you're going to be a bunch of other kids who know the same song," said Antonia Rupert.

On February 7, the choir will sing with 300 other children in Chicago for a regional festival. More than 10,000 kids are singing with this program worldwide.