The last day of Music Week is always bittersweet. So many "highs" up on the mountain (now that's a pun) that it's hard to come down. Normally, the last day is actually pretty lackluster as it just involves packing up, eating breakfast, and leaving. This year, they had a closing worship service which featured the Conference Choir, Handbell Choir, Children's Choir, and a brief message by Mike Harland. Despite the group performances not measuring up in quality to some of the guest artists, I actually always enjoy the groups that perform made up of the conference registrants, perhaps because I know that they are "real people" like me, the soldiers in the battlefield if you will. Mike's closing message was a good summary and tied up all of the loose ends for the week and presented the final challenge for all music leaders to go back with a spirit of humility in their leadership. A good reminder to end with, I thought.
All in all, despite an overall decline in registration this year, I thought this one was one of the better Ridgecrests I have been to in recent years. This year the Lord for some reason put in my path a few church musicians that had some personal hurts or issues in their lives, and it reminded me that there are some folks serving out there under some serious duress. Pray for two in particular - the Lord knows who I'm talking about. God also reminded me this week of the Biblical purpose of church musicians and of the seriousness of the calling.
It's good to be back home now, though, and I'm looking forward to a holiday weekend and then hitting the ground running on Tuesday with a new degree of fervor, with God's help.
Friday, July 02, 2010
Thursday, July 01, 2010
Ridgecrest Music Week 2010 Day Four
Today was the last full day. It began bright and early with a class on movement with preschoolers. Me marched, played with streamers, and danced around. Oh, and did I mention THIS WAS 8:30 in the morning? Ha! I'm not exactly at my streamer twirling best at that time. Still, I must take this time to mention that the children and preschool music leadership classes have been exceptional this time around. I've had three different teachers (one of my afternoon classes today was also in this area) and Sharon has taken many classes in that area as well. The afternoon one centered on creative ways to monitor discipline and to make transitions without losing kids' attention.
I also took another class with Phil Barfoot on music ministry ideas, this one centering specifically around adult choirs. Some very neat ideas there, a couple of which I may put into play into the coming months. There was some discussions on ways to recruit, maintain attendance, provide pastoral ministry, and more. Worship today was led by Michael Adler from Shades Mtn. in Birmingham, AL. I had forgotten how skilled he was at leading worship. I had first saw him here about 7 years ago, and he's gotten even better. His skill, as I may have eluded to earlier, seems to be in wedding traditional hymns and choruses together in ways that make sense and preserve the dignity of both. Mike Harland concluded his messages today.
The only afternoon class I took today was a detailed look into the LifeWay Worship Website's Worship Map service, which allows you to plan worship services online and then share them with the musicians tech folks involved. I like the concept, but I'm not sure I like how much they want you to pay to use the "advanced" version. Still, the basic version is free, and I may play around with it a bit to see if it can streamline things better. It's probably about time for me to revisit how I do some of the service planning and see if anything needs to be tweaked in how I get information to the people involved in services. From this I went straight into the final reading session of the week, this one again highlighting LifeWay music. I will say, LifeWay's music this year is pretty high quality, and they are really bringing some good composers and arrangers into the stable. I did find a very good possibility for a Christmas Cantata this year. I want to compare it with some from a few other publishers, but in the next few weeks I'll begin narrowing it down.
The evening ended with a concert featuring three Southern Gospel groups: Sisters, Assurance, and Greater Vision......and Ice Cream at the Nibble Nook.
I also took another class with Phil Barfoot on music ministry ideas, this one centering specifically around adult choirs. Some very neat ideas there, a couple of which I may put into play into the coming months. There was some discussions on ways to recruit, maintain attendance, provide pastoral ministry, and more. Worship today was led by Michael Adler from Shades Mtn. in Birmingham, AL. I had forgotten how skilled he was at leading worship. I had first saw him here about 7 years ago, and he's gotten even better. His skill, as I may have eluded to earlier, seems to be in wedding traditional hymns and choruses together in ways that make sense and preserve the dignity of both. Mike Harland concluded his messages today.
The only afternoon class I took today was a detailed look into the LifeWay Worship Website's Worship Map service, which allows you to plan worship services online and then share them with the musicians tech folks involved. I like the concept, but I'm not sure I like how much they want you to pay to use the "advanced" version. Still, the basic version is free, and I may play around with it a bit to see if it can streamline things better. It's probably about time for me to revisit how I do some of the service planning and see if anything needs to be tweaked in how I get information to the people involved in services. From this I went straight into the final reading session of the week, this one again highlighting LifeWay music. I will say, LifeWay's music this year is pretty high quality, and they are really bringing some good composers and arrangers into the stable. I did find a very good possibility for a Christmas Cantata this year. I want to compare it with some from a few other publishers, but in the next few weeks I'll begin narrowing it down.
The evening ended with a concert featuring three Southern Gospel groups: Sisters, Assurance, and Greater Vision......and Ice Cream at the Nibble Nook.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Ridgecrest Music Week 2010 Day Three
Today was probably the lightest day we'll experience all week. I started the morning with a children's choir teaching class, where I got to participate in a stick horse race. Yes, a stick horse race. I lost. BUT I WAS ROBBED! The teacher didn't explain the rules correctly, and unlike the debated calls in the World Cup, I did not contest it. But seriously, it was a great class and I learned a lot about how to teach melody concepts to younger children. After that I was able to take a general "idea class" on music ministry and have some materials to take back with me on that subject. I also attended a technology in music ministry course, where we learned about different music sequencing and recording software, which won't benefit us directly at Southside anytime soon, but still helped me keep up to date in that area should we ever start doing more of our music digitally. Worship this morning was led by Dick and Mel Tunney, who were fantastic. Dick actually used an accordion in worship - skillfully AND effectively. Who would have thought? We also had our first look at the new LifeWay Music this afternoon, and I was really impressed by the songs they had out. However, I'm not sure there's any home-runs for us. The new LifeWay Christmas Cantata is fantastic, but EXTREMELY hard. So much so it would leave last year's "Joy Joy Joy" in the dust dust dust.
The strange thing about today was that for the first time in my Ridgecrest history, there was an evening off. Very weird, but very welcomed. We met up with some friends in the Asheville area I hadn't seen in 10 years over some ice creams. I needed the relaxation and downtime. Tomorrow's slate of classes rivals what we had on Tuesday. We'll see how it goes!
The strange thing about today was that for the first time in my Ridgecrest history, there was an evening off. Very weird, but very welcomed. We met up with some friends in the Asheville area I hadn't seen in 10 years over some ice creams. I needed the relaxation and downtime. Tomorrow's slate of classes rivals what we had on Tuesday. We'll see how it goes!
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Ridgecrest Music Week 2010 Day Two
Today was a jam packed day to say the least. We began it early, with a session with Randy Vader and Jay Rouse. Randy shared a story-telling style devotional laced with much humor, and Jay led in worship. They led the reading session from PraiseGathering that followed, but I'm not sure I found anything there. They did introduce a new Christmas cantata, but only did one piece from it, so I'll have to go back and listen to the rest later online. Mike Harland, the LifeWay Music "Czar", is the speaker for the week, and he did a pretty nice job with the "sermon," while Jay Rouse led more worship songs. I never thought I'd say this, but the music was TOO LOUD. Despite that, Jay was an excellent worship leader.
After morning worship, I had two hours with Michael Adler, a former TRUTH alum, I believe, who I had actually seen leading worship at Ridgecrest several years ago. It was good to see him back in a teaching role. He talked on methods of retooling traditional hymns to make them fit more in services that demanded a more contemporary style. He also gave some tips as to how to combine songs into medleys in creative ways. Some usable tips that I'll definitely put into practice. I also went to a LifeWay Worship Project course, which ended up being just the same "commercial" I had heard two years ago when the new hymnal first came out. I had REALLY hoped that they would have updated it with some more current info. Still, it was worth going, as I got a free embroidered Polo shirt, and they actually had MY SIZE!! That, my friends, is a miracle, and worth the sales pitch. The afternoon concluded with another reading session from Lillenas, Word, and Brentwood. Word, who usually has consistently quality stuff was a disappointment. All in all, there were a couple of potential anthems I could see myself using, but nothing I'm running out to buy. It seems to be a big year for ballads, and although I'm a big ballad fan, all of the publishers have really got some "sleepy" pieces this year.
The evening's feature was the Mississippi All-State Youth Choir, who did a nice, surprisingly very classical program. They incorporated a few creative movements in as well that were very touching. The second half of the program was a worship concert by Dennis Jernigan. It was outstanding. I've seen him a few times before, and he seems to get better each time. The heart behind his music is very inspiring, and his testimony is very moving. Although much of Dennis' music sounds the same after a concert of this length, you can't deny he is a man with a heart sold out for Jesus and a passion few artists can deliver. He introduced much new music tonight, in addition to the standards "You are My All in All," "The Lord Reigns," "There is a Fountain," and my personal favorite "When the Night is Falling."
Usually I force myself to skip a class just to get a break during the day. However, there was just too many good choices I didn't feel I should miss. Tomorrow for the first time we have an evening off. That will feel weird. We may be using that time to go connect with a friend in Asheville I haven't seen in years.
After morning worship, I had two hours with Michael Adler, a former TRUTH alum, I believe, who I had actually seen leading worship at Ridgecrest several years ago. It was good to see him back in a teaching role. He talked on methods of retooling traditional hymns to make them fit more in services that demanded a more contemporary style. He also gave some tips as to how to combine songs into medleys in creative ways. Some usable tips that I'll definitely put into practice. I also went to a LifeWay Worship Project course, which ended up being just the same "commercial" I had heard two years ago when the new hymnal first came out. I had REALLY hoped that they would have updated it with some more current info. Still, it was worth going, as I got a free embroidered Polo shirt, and they actually had MY SIZE!! That, my friends, is a miracle, and worth the sales pitch. The afternoon concluded with another reading session from Lillenas, Word, and Brentwood. Word, who usually has consistently quality stuff was a disappointment. All in all, there were a couple of potential anthems I could see myself using, but nothing I'm running out to buy. It seems to be a big year for ballads, and although I'm a big ballad fan, all of the publishers have really got some "sleepy" pieces this year.
The evening's feature was the Mississippi All-State Youth Choir, who did a nice, surprisingly very classical program. They incorporated a few creative movements in as well that were very touching. The second half of the program was a worship concert by Dennis Jernigan. It was outstanding. I've seen him a few times before, and he seems to get better each time. The heart behind his music is very inspiring, and his testimony is very moving. Although much of Dennis' music sounds the same after a concert of this length, you can't deny he is a man with a heart sold out for Jesus and a passion few artists can deliver. He introduced much new music tonight, in addition to the standards "You are My All in All," "The Lord Reigns," "There is a Fountain," and my personal favorite "When the Night is Falling."
Usually I force myself to skip a class just to get a break during the day. However, there was just too many good choices I didn't feel I should miss. Tomorrow for the first time we have an evening off. That will feel weird. We may be using that time to go connect with a friend in Asheville I haven't seen in years.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Ridgecrest Music Week 2010 Day One
It is great to be back on this "Holy Hill." We arrived this afternoon around 2pm, after an impromptu lunch stop at Fuddrucker's and the Thomas Wolfe Memorial Home in Asheville. First on the agenda was a multi-publisher reading session, where we looked at some of the latest offerings from some of the other non-LifeWay publishers. All in all, no real winners except for a nice Lenny LeBlanc praise chorus arrangement and a choral arrangement of a Larry Gatlin song called "Steps." Lorenz also had some good offerings, but most of the contemporary arrangements had no melody whatsoever, no bass part whatsoever, or had screamingly high "Brooklyn Tabernacleish" high notes. I think we get to hear some Christmas stuff tomorrow.
Tonight's evening concert featured the Tennessee Baptist Men's Chorale and Lady Chorale. They were phenomenal. They did some standard "big choir classics" like "Total Praise" and "He Never Failed Me Yet", crow-pleasing gospel numbers, and a few artsy high-church things. The congregational singing was fun in the sing-a-long parts. Followed the concert up with ice cream at the Nibble Nook. A great start to hopefully a great week. Tomorrow is a full day of classes, and I hope not to overdo it, as the week is young.
Tonight's evening concert featured the Tennessee Baptist Men's Chorale and Lady Chorale. They were phenomenal. They did some standard "big choir classics" like "Total Praise" and "He Never Failed Me Yet", crow-pleasing gospel numbers, and a few artsy high-church things. The congregational singing was fun in the sing-a-long parts. Followed the concert up with ice cream at the Nibble Nook. A great start to hopefully a great week. Tomorrow is a full day of classes, and I hope not to overdo it, as the week is young.
Saturday, June 05, 2010
Senior Adult Choir Tour 2010
Saturday, March 06, 2010
The Bliss Model
I wanted to take a moment to answer some questions from some of my music leader friends about a facebook post I had made regarding some advice by songwriter Phillip Bliss about leading rehearsals/services that was fruitful for me.
Recently I picked up again a copy of the book "P.P. Bliss Songwriter" by William Guest that I had in my personal library. Phillip P. Bliss is one of our better known hymnwriters and a fine singer and worship leader in his own right from what I understand. I had started to read it a time or two before, but every time I just couldn't get into it. Finally I've decided to try to tackle it again, and I ran upon a really interesting page that spoke of how Phillip Bliss organized a "praise meeting." I'm not fully sure what he meant by that description, but the principles he listed can really apply to many things. Here are some of the "tips" he shared, most of which are common sense things, but nonetheless are points in which we should be reminded for those of us who lead music in churches, whether that be a choir rehearsal or a service:
1. "One very important thing is promptness. Do not wait for anybody, or anything." This Bliss quote sounds harsh, but I think that starting on time can make things more productive. I am very guilty of not heeding this advice.
2. Bliss continues "First, ask a blessing". This is obvious. Always make prayer a part of your rehearsal.
3. Bliss then encourages to start off with "a familiar hymn and tune which all can sing." He then list several examples, most of which are dated. The only one I recognized in the list was "Rock of Ages," which has stood well the test of time. I think warm-ups could fall into this category in the context of a rehearsal.
4. He then spoke on encouraging balance between parts. In other words, making sure that stronger singers don't overshadow the weaker ones. In his words: "When the sun rises, the stars disappear." Don't neglect the "stars" of your choir! They are not necessarily the ones with the biggest voices!
5. Encourage your people to sing as an expression of the happiness that comes from having a heart right with God. Bliss says "How many Christians we have seen singing to make themselves happy! how few have to sing because they are happy!" (emphasis mine)
6. "Do not criticise too severely." 'Nuff said.
7. And to those who often give excuses about their lack of experience he says "The best way to learn to sing is TO SING."
8. Bliss also said to not neglect the use of prayer, illustrations, and scripture reading within the context of these "meetings."
9. End before people are worn out. Be sensitive to the weariness of the people and how hard they've worked. His words, again: "Finally, adjourn before the Meeting is tired. The best time to stop is when you feel most like going on. So I stop." It's sort of like the "leave them wanting more more" mentality.
10. And finally, this section of the book ends with a reminder, specifically to pastors and preachers about the importance of music in worship as a way of preparing the heart's soil for the message they will bring.
"Many a good sermon has been like a seed blown away, for want of a hearty hymn to harrow it in. Many a prayer-meeting has dragged its slow length along for want of the lubrication of a cheerful praise-spirit in some soul-full song."
To my music leader friends among the readers here, find some encouragement in these quotes! Here also is a link to a list of Phillip Bliss' songs and a short biography.
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/bio/b/l/i/bliss_pp.htm
In Christ,
Chris
Recently I picked up again a copy of the book "P.P. Bliss Songwriter" by William Guest that I had in my personal library. Phillip P. Bliss is one of our better known hymnwriters and a fine singer and worship leader in his own right from what I understand. I had started to read it a time or two before, but every time I just couldn't get into it. Finally I've decided to try to tackle it again, and I ran upon a really interesting page that spoke of how Phillip Bliss organized a "praise meeting." I'm not fully sure what he meant by that description, but the principles he listed can really apply to many things. Here are some of the "tips" he shared, most of which are common sense things, but nonetheless are points in which we should be reminded for those of us who lead music in churches, whether that be a choir rehearsal or a service:
1. "One very important thing is promptness. Do not wait for anybody, or anything." This Bliss quote sounds harsh, but I think that starting on time can make things more productive. I am very guilty of not heeding this advice.
2. Bliss continues "First, ask a blessing". This is obvious. Always make prayer a part of your rehearsal.
3. Bliss then encourages to start off with "a familiar hymn and tune which all can sing." He then list several examples, most of which are dated. The only one I recognized in the list was "Rock of Ages," which has stood well the test of time. I think warm-ups could fall into this category in the context of a rehearsal.
4. He then spoke on encouraging balance between parts. In other words, making sure that stronger singers don't overshadow the weaker ones. In his words: "When the sun rises, the stars disappear." Don't neglect the "stars" of your choir! They are not necessarily the ones with the biggest voices!
5. Encourage your people to sing as an expression of the happiness that comes from having a heart right with God. Bliss says "How many Christians we have seen singing to make themselves happy! how few have to sing because they are happy!" (emphasis mine)
6. "Do not criticise too severely." 'Nuff said.
7. And to those who often give excuses about their lack of experience he says "The best way to learn to sing is TO SING."
8. Bliss also said to not neglect the use of prayer, illustrations, and scripture reading within the context of these "meetings."
9. End before people are worn out. Be sensitive to the weariness of the people and how hard they've worked. His words, again: "Finally, adjourn before the Meeting is tired. The best time to stop is when you feel most like going on. So I stop." It's sort of like the "leave them wanting more more" mentality.
10. And finally, this section of the book ends with a reminder, specifically to pastors and preachers about the importance of music in worship as a way of preparing the heart's soil for the message they will bring.
"Many a good sermon has been like a seed blown away, for want of a hearty hymn to harrow it in. Many a prayer-meeting has dragged its slow length along for want of the lubrication of a cheerful praise-spirit in some soul-full song."
To my music leader friends among the readers here, find some encouragement in these quotes! Here also is a link to a list of Phillip Bliss' songs and a short biography.
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/bio/b/l/i/bliss_pp.htm
In Christ,
Chris
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)