seasonal (begins September 10)
#SongSquad brings God’s love for children and children’s music to life. A team of enthusiastic adults and kids focuses on music, relationships, and leadership skills — united by a shared belief in Christ’s love for all children and the importance of sharing that love with each other.
Our premier children’s choir is open to all children in the community, regardless of religious affiliation or faith practice. We welcome children in kindergarten through 5th grade for an action-packed hour filled with games, snacks, prizes, and music making.
This is one of the most welcoming things we do at First SRQ — and one of the most fun.
"Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit."
Who can join?
- Kindergarten – Grade 2 (5–6pm)
- First United Methodist Church of Sarasota
- Thursdays during the school year
- No audition — all kids welcome
- No church membership required
- No faith background required
Research has found that learning music facilitates learning other subjects and enhances skills that children use throughout their lives. Here’s what happens when kids join #SongSquad.
Encourages brain communication
Singing encourages communication between the left and right hemispheres of the brain, supporting whole-brain development.
Strengthens memory
Learning lyrics, melodies, and rhythms builds memory capacity that carries over into academics and daily life.
Strengthens speech processing
Musical training sharpens how children process and understand spoken language, improving reading and communication.
Promotes empathy
Singing together and listening to others fosters emotional attunement and an understanding of how others feel.
Fosters math & science ability
Reading music involves counting, patterns, and spatial reasoning — skills that directly transfer to math and science.
Builds self-esteem & friendships
Performing together builds confidence, and the friendships formed in rehearsal often last far beyond the stage.
Each week is built around three things that make Song Squad unlike any other after-school activity in Sarasota.
Music Education
Research has found that learning music facilitates learning other subjects and enhances skills that children inevitably use in other areas. Every rehearsal teaches real musical concepts — pitch, rhythm, harmony, and performance — in a way that's age-appropriate and genuinely fun.
Fun Events
Because it can't be all work and no play. Song Squad punctuates the year with events, games, prizes, and surprises that make kids look forward to Thursdays all week. Snacks are always involved. Community is always the point.
Performance Arts
Give your child the opportunity to engage in creative collaboration — a skill they have limited chance to develop outside of a rehearsal space. Song Squad kids perform together, learn to listen to each other, and discover what it feels like to create something as a team.
Rehearsals are held in the Family Life Center at First United Methodist Church of Sarasota — located adjacent to the Mira Mar Court parking lot. The space is easy to access, safe, and purpose-built for active, creative gatherings like ours.
First UMC sits in the heart of downtown Sarasota, making it conveniently accessible from across the area. Complimentary parking is available in The Mark garage at 111 S. Pineapple Ave.
- 104 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota, FL 34236
- [email protected]
- (941) 955-0935
Kindergarten – Grade 2
5:00 – 6:00 pm
Family Life Center
First United Methodist Church of Sarasota
Every Thursday during the school year
#SongSquad meets every Thursday throughout the school year. Kindergarten through Grade 2 gather from 5:00 to 6:00 pm in the Family Life Center.
Arrival a few minutes early is encouraged so your child can get settled and ready to sing. Pick-up is promptly at 6:00pm from the same entrance.
There’s no cost to participate and no commitment beyond showing up ready to have fun. First-time visitors are always welcome — just come as you are.
Fill out the form below and a member of our staff will be in touch. Become a part of #SongSquad — we can’t wait to meet your family.