Music Diane's Blog - Christian Supply

When I retired from directing church music, the first Wednesday night I went to the mall. You see, all my years of church work I constantly had people coming up and saying they would have attended choir rehearsal Wednesday night but they got tied up at the mall.  Well, I wanted to see who, what and why were people being tied up on Wednesday nights!

You’ve probably also had those weekends when you walk into the choir room on Sunday morning and everyone ( well, almost everyone) has gone out of town, had guests or other familiar excuses given for missing church… especially during the summer months. Immediately you have to go with Plan B!  What…no Plan B in place?  Then it’s time you developed one!  I want to pass on a little tip I found most useful for me when this happens. I had a stack of 8 or 10 anthems that I called my “emergency package”. These were pieces that the choir knew front to back and they were my fall-back on those special Sundays when no one showed up.  And believe me, there were plenty such Sundays scattered over 38 years of church music.

I’d like to share with you some anthems ( most of us call them octavos) that you may or may not know, that can make up a pretty good “emergency package” for the summer months; or any time of year. If you need more info on any of these or others that I may not have listed, please contact me. I always love to talk about the Lord’s music!

Check with me on arrangements of these great stand-bys:

“Through It All“, “How Beautiful“, “How Great Thou Art“, “Be Still and Know“, “Honored, Glorified,Exalted“,”I Am Determined“, “All For The Glory of Jesus/I Am Not Ashamed“, “Heart of Worship“,”Be Ye Glad“,”We Shall See Jesus“,”Ye Shall Be Witnesses” and I could go on and on. I bet some of you have never heard some of these titles. There is also a series of nice arrangements of traditional hymns with a solo accompaniment for various instruments called “The Piano Plus Series” that would be absolutely perfect a summer filler. Again, let me emphasize that this is only a few titles that I could connect you with, there are many more waiting for you. So, please contact me if this spikes your interest.

Continue to sing, spread good tidings and remember “Some days there won’t be a song in your heart. Sing anyway!”  (I love this quote from Emory Austin…don’t you?)

Music Diane

I cannot think of a more appropriate time than this year for churches to present a patriotic musical. A lot of folks in the more rural settings across our country still have Wednesday night services, and the Fourth of July falls on a Wednesday this year! You can always make this a community-wide service by joining with other churches and having an old-fashioned hot dog meal.  And nothing would top it off like a rip-roaring, flag-waving patriotic musical or concert! If you’re lookin’…I’m suggestin’…just read on.

I had mentioned in a previous blog entry, a brand new work by Dave Clark and David Clydesdale,”In God We Still Trust“. I think one of the reasons this SATB musical has intrigued me is, it is not typical “Clydesdale”. You still have the high energy that David is known for, but he has also written lower ranges for the soporano’s and tenors. He has also given the venerable Armed Forces Medley a new twist that your audience or congregation will absolutely love. You really need to check this one out!

Let me also mention some other, previous years’ releases, that are all well worth consideration. I’ll begin with a Randy Vader/Jay Rouse work entitled ”Homeland“. I promise your congregation will be on their feet before you get to the end of any of these songs! Of course, you have your traditional patriotic music, and this dynamic duo of Randy and Jay have added a great arrangement of “Lean On Me” combined with “We Shall Overcome” and “Doxology” (no kiddin!). I get goose bumps just thinking about this work.

Another one well worth your investigation is “God Bless America Again” by Mike Harland and Richard Kingsmore. It is a clarion call to exactly what the title is refering to, for America to turn back to God and seek His hand of blessing once again. Easy to sing, great narration, and and SATB arrangement of “The Lord’s Prayer“ that’s worth the cost of the entire book!. (Tip: With a little tweeking, this arrangement could also be used for a wedding where the bride has requested a choir to sing!)

One last one you must consider is “Home of the Brave” by David Clydesdale and Deborah Craig-Claar. Yes, this is several years old, but it is still one of the best! If you have ever seen David T conduct, you know why his musicals are so high energy; and this one if filled with his full vigor. You’ll sing the “American classics”, along with some beautiful ballads that are bound to bring a tear to many an eye in your audience or congregation.

If you’re looking for something different, or just needing some ideas, give me a call or drop me an email (dhall@christiansupply.com).  I’m always happy to help in any way I can.

Blessings,

Music Diane

Every now and then someone will ask me what was my favorite thing to do as a church musician. I don’t even hesitate!!  My children’s choir times were my absolute favorite times of directing. During that time of rehearsal you are the greatest person in the world!

You also learn a lot about kid’s homes in choir rehearsals. Sometimes you have to turn your head and even walk out of the room to keep from losing it. Losing it from aggravation and/or from laughing so deep inside you can hardly contain yourself.  Remember kids tell everything and they love to share with others!  Probably like you, I’ve had moments that when I look at some moms and dads later on, and can hardly keep a straight face. Kids are so honest.

Speaking of kids and choirs let me tell you about a couple of new things for these special choirs that you might find helpful. I have just heard a new musical by Robin and Bill Wolaver, better known as members of the “Annie Moses Band“.  This new release is “Hallelujah Harvest” from Lifeway Worship Resources. This is a fun-loving musical for kids from K-5 thru elementary school.  It follows a young farm boy named Joshua who travels thru “Tasseltown” and has encounters with Rockette’s Beauty Shop and the Stumbling Blocks.  Then, it’s on to Aunt Rhody’s Boarding House where he finally meets Pastor Thornfield and the world-famous evangelist, Lettus Havitt.  Joshua learns the important lesson of the Parable of the Sower.  I think your kids will love the music and this is VERY easy to stage and present.

Another kids product that might work really well for church schools, after school programs, family centers, daycares or mother’s morning out is “Teeny Tykes Tunes“. This program is written by Pamela Vandewalker and Cherry Garasi.  This is agreat resource for those that work with babies and toddlers!  You have action songs (that catch the little ones attention), finger plays, and animal songs; all along with Bible songs and stories that give the little ones every chance to learn all about God while they wiggle and giggle.

Also, be watching for the “official” launch of our website for Choral Festival 2012!  It’s almost done, and we’ve got a GREAT program this year (including a premiere of Celeste Clydesdale’s newest Christmas work for kids!).  You won’t want to miss Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, Laura Story, the Thomas Road Baptist Church Choir & Orchestra, Charles Billingsley and more!  So mark your calendar for August 1-4, 2012, and plan to join us here in Spartanburg for this year’s CHORAL FESTIVAL!

Lastly, let me just remind you that if you have any questions about any form of church music, or would like to see some of the music I have mentioned, please give me a call or email me. I would love the opportunity to chat with you. I promise, if I don’t know the answer, I will find someone who does!

“Music Diane’

If you have been reading my blogs, you know by now that I love all types music.  If someone were to ask my favorite genre, I doubt that I could name one specific type.  I had my car washed one Saturday and the young man that was drying down my car was quite amused at my CD “assortment”. You know music can strike up any conversation, so we talked about it.  We both knew immediately that we had something in common…a love for all types of music.  I like to think that music is the “universal” language.

One of my favorite genres though, has to be Patriotic music.  I love a parade (sounds like a song title, doesn’t it?) and I love that feeling you get when you see and hear patriotic music performed.  I guess you could say I get goose bumps that match red, white and blue!  If you have never had a special patriotic program included in your music ministry, you need to do one THIS year (July 4th is on a Wednesday this year)!

There are several great patriotic musicals available that are a couple of years old (call me if you want to know more about them!) but there is one new one this year that is dynamite!  “In God We Still Trust”  is a new work from Dave Clark and David Clydesdale. The “two Dave’s” did some uniques twists in this work and I liked them all!

For instance, on the armed forces tribute, they utilize children’s choirs or young voices added to the adult singers with new lyrics for this time-honored song.  It doesn’t change the tradition of having your congregation stand for the different branches that they served in for their tour of duty; but it gives fresh energy to this favorite patriotic moment.  I have heard so many people say that is one of the highlights of a patriotic musical to see and get a chance to honor those that have served and serving their country.

Another great “touch” is the inclusion of a powerful song that was co written by Dan Dean and recorded by Phillips, Craig & Dean entitled “Pray For Me”.

I hope you will consider a patriotic program for this summer.  If I can help in any way, know that I’m as close as your phone (800-845-7618, ext. 238) or email (dhall@christiansupply.com); and I’d love to connect with you!

As I close, let me just say that I’ve been listening to Christmas 2012.  (Yes, I did say Christmas!)  We have some great things coming for the Christmas season this year.  Ask me about it next time we talk.

I’ll be waiting to hear from you.

Blessings,

“Music Diane”