Have you ever thought about taking your volunteer choir "on the road"? There are plenty of ministries and people who would be so glad to hear whatever your choir sings. If you could offer 20-30 minutes--just four to six songs--you might be a great blessing to your listeners.
Nursing homes, assisted living homes, Christian schools, rescue missions, Salvation Army programs, other churches who may not have a choir of their own, homes for those who are destitute or need a safe place to stay, kids clubs, even shopping malls might welcome your choir.
I just returned from the three-day annual spring tour with our homeschool choir of forty-one high schoolers. They performed seven times. Their program included skits and dance along with the songs, but those things are not appropriate for every venue. Twenty minutes of music would suffice in a number of situations. A lot of ministry took place after the singing, too, as the choir mixed and mingled with folks.
Be a blessing to others; share the songs your choir has worked so hard on over the year.
If you have other ideas for places to take the choir, I'd love to hear about it. Be sure and comment!
Monday, April 27, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Into the Blender I Go (Friday's post)
Ever feel like you’re an ingredient in the blender and the chef just set it to “grind”?
I’m going back three days, to Tuesday ‘s post about culinary and vocal blending. If you are a first-time visitor, you might like to read it (if you hope to make sense of today’s post!).
I guess the Lord doesn’t want His children to have chunky parts either. He’ll make use of our lives’ “blender” episodes to grind and chop and smooth us out and make us into ingredients that will add a unique flavor or color to His divine recipe.
As you might have guessed, I’m sitting in the blender as we speak. I think the outcome we are looking for is Patience. Whatever; that’s His business. Mine is to yield. Not to try and hide from the blending apparatus, but to let it do what it’s meant to do. He’s the Chef, He knows what’s best.
If it were me reading something like the above, I'd wonder what in the world this woman is going through, that it feels like she’s in a blender set to “grind”—well, compared to what some folks are facing, a broken right thumb isn’t much to gripe about. After all, I can walk, I can still type, I have my husband and younger son here to do the dishes, and with the thumb immobilized, it doesn’t even hurt (except when I move too fast and bump it). But to a person who lacks patience (yes, I confess it), everything takes me SO l—o—n—g, and I'm SO busy, and I have to wait for others to do household tasks when they can get to it, not when I want it done. In addition, writing a check is downright humbling.
Also, when I’m teaching my music students, I can’t demonstrate, and it takes
f-o-r-e-v-e-r to write out their assignments left-handed. Zippers, buttons, doorknobs, carrying stuff, shifting the car into reverse or drive, grocery shopping, cooking, filing, cleaning… oops. See? I sound pretty frustrated. It’s time to yield to the blender and let it smooth me out.
To use another word picture (a much better one) from Scripture, He's the Potter, I'm the clay. He can do whatever it takes to make me a vessel fit for His use. And to quote James, "Submit yourselves to God...".
So far the one positive is a fresh appreciation for God's creation of opposable thumbs.
I'm gone for the weekend, assisting with the homeschool high school choir's tour to the Rockford, Illinois area. See you Monday!
I’m going back three days, to Tuesday ‘s post about culinary and vocal blending. If you are a first-time visitor, you might like to read it (if you hope to make sense of today’s post!).
I guess the Lord doesn’t want His children to have chunky parts either. He’ll make use of our lives’ “blender” episodes to grind and chop and smooth us out and make us into ingredients that will add a unique flavor or color to His divine recipe.
As you might have guessed, I’m sitting in the blender as we speak. I think the outcome we are looking for is Patience. Whatever; that’s His business. Mine is to yield. Not to try and hide from the blending apparatus, but to let it do what it’s meant to do. He’s the Chef, He knows what’s best.
If it were me reading something like the above, I'd wonder what in the world this woman is going through, that it feels like she’s in a blender set to “grind”—well, compared to what some folks are facing, a broken right thumb isn’t much to gripe about. After all, I can walk, I can still type, I have my husband and younger son here to do the dishes, and with the thumb immobilized, it doesn’t even hurt (except when I move too fast and bump it). But to a person who lacks patience (yes, I confess it), everything takes me SO l—o—n—g, and I'm SO busy, and I have to wait for others to do household tasks when they can get to it, not when I want it done. In addition, writing a check is downright humbling.
Also, when I’m teaching my music students, I can’t demonstrate, and it takes
f-o-r-e-v-e-r to write out their assignments left-handed. Zippers, buttons, doorknobs, carrying stuff, shifting the car into reverse or drive, grocery shopping, cooking, filing, cleaning… oops. See? I sound pretty frustrated. It’s time to yield to the blender and let it smooth me out.
To use another word picture (a much better one) from Scripture, He's the Potter, I'm the clay. He can do whatever it takes to make me a vessel fit for His use. And to quote James, "Submit yourselves to God...".
So far the one positive is a fresh appreciation for God's creation of opposable thumbs.
I'm gone for the weekend, assisting with the homeschool high school choir's tour to the Rockford, Illinois area. See you Monday!
Practical Blending for Choirs, Part 2 April 23, 2009
I’m always looking for exercises that do double (or triple) duty. Here’s one to sing with a rhythm of triplets. The words are: “Diction is done with the tip of the tongue and the teeth.” Go up or down by half or whole steps.
Sop 8
Alto 3
Ten 5
Bass 1
Other words to try in a triplet pattern: “Nothing pops into my head.”
In a more advanced group, you can have them face each other or stand in a circle, each standing next to someone who is not singing the same part.
Again, vary the vowels or words. Use the keys of Bm, Cm, C#m… (note: the 4 parts are written separately, but should be sung at once; use the words given for sopranos)
Sop----5----5---5-- 3------3---- 3----2--------1--------
-------No---oth-er--name-but---Je------------sus.------
Alto ---3----3---3---1------7---- 1----maj.7----1--------
Ten--- 1----7---7---6------5------6----5-------5--------
Bass ---1--- 7---7--- 6------5-----4----5--------1--------
Try this in the keys of D, Eb, E…
Sop---3----5---- 2--------2----4----3---------2-------2------1--------
-------I----------will------give------thanks---bless---the-----Lord!---
Alto---1----------7---------7----2---1---------1------7—6-----5--------
Ten ---5----------5---------5------- 5-------- 6------5—4-----3--------
Bass---1----3-----5---------5----7---1--------4------5--------1--------
Try some of your own chord progressions, or look for the book below.
Other Resource: The Choral Warm-Up Collection compiled and edited by Sally K. Albrecht (51 directors contributed 167 warm-ups)
Published by Alfred Publishing Co., Inc. 2003
Sop 8
Alto 3
Ten 5
Bass 1
Other words to try in a triplet pattern: “Nothing pops into my head.”
In a more advanced group, you can have them face each other or stand in a circle, each standing next to someone who is not singing the same part.
Again, vary the vowels or words. Use the keys of Bm, Cm, C#m… (note: the 4 parts are written separately, but should be sung at once; use the words given for sopranos)
Sop----5----5---5-- 3------3---- 3----2--------1--------
-------No---oth-er--name-but---Je------------sus.------
Alto ---3----3---3---1------7---- 1----maj.7----1--------
Ten--- 1----7---7---6------5------6----5-------5--------
Bass ---1--- 7---7--- 6------5-----4----5--------1--------
Try this in the keys of D, Eb, E…
Sop---3----5---- 2--------2----4----3---------2-------2------1--------
-------I----------will------give------thanks---bless---the-----Lord!---
Alto---1----------7---------7----2---1---------1------7—6-----5--------
Ten ---5----------5---------5------- 5-------- 6------5—4-----3--------
Bass---1----3-----5---------5----7---1--------4------5--------1--------
Try some of your own chord progressions, or look for the book below.
Other Resource: The Choral Warm-Up Collection compiled and edited by Sally K. Albrecht (51 directors contributed 167 warm-ups)
Published by Alfred Publishing Co., Inc. 2003
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Vocal Blend Exercises for Choirs
Yesterday I wrote about blending. Today I begin to offer how-to suggestions.
In a church choir, often the members have never sung with a group before. They may not have played an instrument, learned to read notes, or had any vocal coaching. It’s all new.
If we keep them short and to the point, these learning sessions can be fairly painless; even fun.
In addition to singing the correct notes and words, a good blend will make your sound really pop. Sometimes you can use a line from a piece you’re working on to focus on this skill. Other times a simple exercise for one or two minutes can raise awareness and make a big difference.
In the next few days, I’ll include exercises for you to try. Be creative! Change the vowels, sing words, switch voices around, change the tempo to get them to watch you. Remind them from time to time to listen to the other parts.
Try this exercise a cappella. Have them listen carefully to each other, trying to match their vowels, pitch, and tone quality. Go up or down by half steps.
1-----3-----5-----3-----1-----
Ah oh oo oh ah
You might also ask them to feel a narrowing of the vowels on the way up.
Next have the choir stand and face each other, or stand (or sit) in a circle. Do this exercise first with piano, then a cappella. Use various vowel sounds or “Sing al-le-lu-ia”. Go up or down by half-steps. Try the Key of C…
Sop 8 8 8 8 8---
Alto 3 3 3 3 3---
Ten 5 5 5 5 5---
Bass 1 1 1 1 1---
More advanced exercises tomorrow...
In a church choir, often the members have never sung with a group before. They may not have played an instrument, learned to read notes, or had any vocal coaching. It’s all new.
If we keep them short and to the point, these learning sessions can be fairly painless; even fun.
In addition to singing the correct notes and words, a good blend will make your sound really pop. Sometimes you can use a line from a piece you’re working on to focus on this skill. Other times a simple exercise for one or two minutes can raise awareness and make a big difference.
In the next few days, I’ll include exercises for you to try. Be creative! Change the vowels, sing words, switch voices around, change the tempo to get them to watch you. Remind them from time to time to listen to the other parts.
Try this exercise a cappella. Have them listen carefully to each other, trying to match their vowels, pitch, and tone quality. Go up or down by half steps.
1-----3-----5-----3-----1-----
Ah oh oo oh ah
You might also ask them to feel a narrowing of the vowels on the way up.
Next have the choir stand and face each other, or stand (or sit) in a circle. Do this exercise first with piano, then a cappella. Use various vowel sounds or “Sing al-le-lu-ia”. Go up or down by half-steps. Try the Key of C…
Sop 8 8 8 8 8---
Alto 3 3 3 3 3---
Ten 5 5 5 5 5---
Bass 1 1 1 1 1---
More advanced exercises tomorrow...
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Blending: a Culinary Skill?
How do choirs achieve a beautiful blend?
The Culinary Goal: Consider the blender sitting on my counter. I'd like to make my favorite chip dip, and I want it smooth. I don't like chunks sticking out from my dip. I want it so blended there's nothing left of individual ingredients except their color.
1. So I select "grind". What a noise that makes! Kind of like when Tom was trying to teach me to drive with a stick shift. Rahrrrrrr-thlunk-rahhHRRRRR.
2. I might select "chop". More noise, but making progress.
3. Now we're getting somewhere. Some chunks are hiding out on top, so I push them down with a spatula. More noise and thlunking. I turn the blender on and off in 5-10 second bursts.
4. Ah, the color is changing. But I can see strings of spinach and a few chunks of artichoke hearts. They tend to be a bit stubborn, resistant. I persist. I will not settle for less than my ideal. I visualize (or tastalize) a tortilla chip adorned with my dip, made of cream cheese, parmesan, mozzarella, spinach, and artichoke hearts.
Voila: The only one of those ingredients I might consider snacking on by itself would be spinach, and then only if I'm on a major crusade for health. But together--mmm, no one ingredient stands out from the others, it's a simply divine mix, a whole new flavor not experienced with any other set of ingredients.
The Vocal Goal: I want the sound to be smooth, no voices sticking out like chunks on a chip. I want it so blended there's nothing left of individual voices except their color.
1. I start grinding away with any tools at my disposal: verbal instructions to listen to each other, vocal exercises designed for the purpose, unified vowel production, a piece they know especially well...
2. It may still be making unpleasant noises, but I begin to see progress.
3. Some voices are sticking out at the top, others in the middle or on the bottom edges. I move them around, mix them up. They protest; not thlunking exactly, but not happy with giving up their spot. I don't force it, because they are people with flesh and blood hearts, not artichoke hearts, and they are not spinach to be shredded. If they want to stay in the seat they are used to, I bless them. They may stay. The Lord will involve Himself in this blend, and it will be more than I could've made it. I don't belabor the blend thing, but work at it in shorter bursts. A minute here, a reminder there.
4. Ah, the color is changing. Though a few voices might be untrained, raw, and prone to stick out, I don't give up. I persist. I don't settle for less than I hear they can produce. I visualize (or audio-alize) the piece I've pulled out for them, adorned with voices young and old, high and low, thick and thin, throaty and reedy.
Voila: There might be one or two voices that would be lovely solo, but together--mmm, no one voice stands out from the others, it's a simply divine mix, a whole new sound not heard with any other set of voices.
The Culinary Goal: Consider the blender sitting on my counter. I'd like to make my favorite chip dip, and I want it smooth. I don't like chunks sticking out from my dip. I want it so blended there's nothing left of individual ingredients except their color.
1. So I select "grind". What a noise that makes! Kind of like when Tom was trying to teach me to drive with a stick shift. Rahrrrrrr-thlunk-rahhHRRRRR.
2. I might select "chop". More noise, but making progress.
3. Now we're getting somewhere. Some chunks are hiding out on top, so I push them down with a spatula. More noise and thlunking. I turn the blender on and off in 5-10 second bursts.
4. Ah, the color is changing. But I can see strings of spinach and a few chunks of artichoke hearts. They tend to be a bit stubborn, resistant. I persist. I will not settle for less than my ideal. I visualize (or tastalize) a tortilla chip adorned with my dip, made of cream cheese, parmesan, mozzarella, spinach, and artichoke hearts.
Voila: The only one of those ingredients I might consider snacking on by itself would be spinach, and then only if I'm on a major crusade for health. But together--mmm, no one ingredient stands out from the others, it's a simply divine mix, a whole new flavor not experienced with any other set of ingredients.
The Vocal Goal: I want the sound to be smooth, no voices sticking out like chunks on a chip. I want it so blended there's nothing left of individual voices except their color.
1. I start grinding away with any tools at my disposal: verbal instructions to listen to each other, vocal exercises designed for the purpose, unified vowel production, a piece they know especially well...
2. It may still be making unpleasant noises, but I begin to see progress.
3. Some voices are sticking out at the top, others in the middle or on the bottom edges. I move them around, mix them up. They protest; not thlunking exactly, but not happy with giving up their spot. I don't force it, because they are people with flesh and blood hearts, not artichoke hearts, and they are not spinach to be shredded. If they want to stay in the seat they are used to, I bless them. They may stay. The Lord will involve Himself in this blend, and it will be more than I could've made it. I don't belabor the blend thing, but work at it in shorter bursts. A minute here, a reminder there.
4. Ah, the color is changing. Though a few voices might be untrained, raw, and prone to stick out, I don't give up. I persist. I don't settle for less than I hear they can produce. I visualize (or audio-alize) the piece I've pulled out for them, adorned with voices young and old, high and low, thick and thin, throaty and reedy.
Voila: There might be one or two voices that would be lovely solo, but together--mmm, no one voice stands out from the others, it's a simply divine mix, a whole new sound not heard with any other set of voices.
Monday, April 20, 2009
First Love (Revelation 2:4,5)
Back to my first love. That's the deepest desire of my heart.
Hang in there with me, this applies to the church musician...
I remember clearly how I used to be, before Jesus (sometimes referred to as "B.C."--Before Christ). I went to church and made the right noises, but there was no sense of closeness to God. He seemed far away, out in space somewhere. I felt guilty that I didn't consider Him my best friend.
Then He made Himself real to me. Some people object to the term "born again", and others twist the meaning of it. Whatever. But I was in every way a new creation, a changed person. I was alive where I'd been dead, loving God where I had feared His punishment, and loving people I used to hate. I couldn't get enough of Him! I dove into the Bible and splashed happily in Living Water.
When being close to Him is so wonderful, why in the world do I slip away? It's just like one of my favorite hymns says: "Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it; prone to leave the God I love. Here's my heart, Lord, take and seal it--seal it for Thy courts above!" (I have a list of reasons, by the way. Why I walk away from that first love, I mean. I'm tired, I'm busy, blah blah...)
Okay, so I got out of the Water and wandered off a bit. Not doing anything bad, mind you, just doing. Like the church at Ephesus Jesus scolded in Rev. 2. He compliments them for the good stuff they're doing, but then tells them they've forsaken their first love. They should remember the height from which they've fallen, and repent. It's serious enough that if they don't stir up that deep love for Him, He'll have to remove their lampstand!
Wow. That would be terrible. After all, we aren't working hard on songs just to hear our lovely voices and have the congregation say, "Oh, wasn't that nice." We're here to serve up His message, His praise, His light. How sad if our ability to cast light in a dark world were removed.
So I'm getting stirred up again. Tired or not, busy or not, injured or sick or not, I'm following hard after God. I'm reading and chewing on His Word. I'm talking to Him. I'm working at listening to Him. I'm singing worship songs to Him. I'm drawing near to Him because He says if I do, He'll come close to me.
I'm almost done writing. I just want to mention the worship song "I Will Exalt the One" by Jackie Anderson and Michael Merritt. Yesterday in church this song brought the tears.
Here's the chorus: "I will exalt the One who lifted me out of the miry clay to heights of eagles' wings. Words cannot express--all I know is this: You've changed me, You've changed me. I can remember how it used to be. I was so bound, but now I'm free. I will exalt the One who lifted me."
Longing for Him,
Robin
Hang in there with me, this applies to the church musician...
I remember clearly how I used to be, before Jesus (sometimes referred to as "B.C."--Before Christ). I went to church and made the right noises, but there was no sense of closeness to God. He seemed far away, out in space somewhere. I felt guilty that I didn't consider Him my best friend.
Then He made Himself real to me. Some people object to the term "born again", and others twist the meaning of it. Whatever. But I was in every way a new creation, a changed person. I was alive where I'd been dead, loving God where I had feared His punishment, and loving people I used to hate. I couldn't get enough of Him! I dove into the Bible and splashed happily in Living Water.
When being close to Him is so wonderful, why in the world do I slip away? It's just like one of my favorite hymns says: "Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it; prone to leave the God I love. Here's my heart, Lord, take and seal it--seal it for Thy courts above!" (I have a list of reasons, by the way. Why I walk away from that first love, I mean. I'm tired, I'm busy, blah blah...)
Okay, so I got out of the Water and wandered off a bit. Not doing anything bad, mind you, just doing. Like the church at Ephesus Jesus scolded in Rev. 2. He compliments them for the good stuff they're doing, but then tells them they've forsaken their first love. They should remember the height from which they've fallen, and repent. It's serious enough that if they don't stir up that deep love for Him, He'll have to remove their lampstand!
Wow. That would be terrible. After all, we aren't working hard on songs just to hear our lovely voices and have the congregation say, "Oh, wasn't that nice." We're here to serve up His message, His praise, His light. How sad if our ability to cast light in a dark world were removed.
So I'm getting stirred up again. Tired or not, busy or not, injured or sick or not, I'm following hard after God. I'm reading and chewing on His Word. I'm talking to Him. I'm working at listening to Him. I'm singing worship songs to Him. I'm drawing near to Him because He says if I do, He'll come close to me.
I'm almost done writing. I just want to mention the worship song "I Will Exalt the One" by Jackie Anderson and Michael Merritt. Yesterday in church this song brought the tears.
Here's the chorus: "I will exalt the One who lifted me out of the miry clay to heights of eagles' wings. Words cannot express--all I know is this: You've changed me, You've changed me. I can remember how it used to be. I was so bound, but now I'm free. I will exalt the One who lifted me."
Longing for Him,
Robin
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Ten Thousand Charms
The choir is preparing Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy arranged by Kathryn S. Bonner (Lorenz Corp.). Some of the words are: "I will arise and go to Jesus; He will embrace me with His arms; In the arms of my dear Savior, O there are ten thousand charms."
I suggested that we think about those charms this week, and share some at our next rehearsal.
What attracts me most to Jesus is how He loves and cares for me. He has never once ignored me, snubbed me, turned away, or been too busy for me. He's never had a selfish motive. Who could be a more patient, faithful listener? He understands me.
And STILL LOVES ME!
His power is without limit, yet His heart has room for me.
I suggested that we think about those charms this week, and share some at our next rehearsal.
What attracts me most to Jesus is how He loves and cares for me. He has never once ignored me, snubbed me, turned away, or been too busy for me. He's never had a selfish motive. Who could be a more patient, faithful listener? He understands me.
And STILL LOVES ME!
His power is without limit, yet His heart has room for me.
Friday, April 17, 2009
"Let everything that has breath praise the Lord..."
Welcome to The Volunteer Choir Department, where fire is encouraged, not quenched--if it's the fire of the Spirit!
If you're part of a volunteer choir or involved in the worship of your church through music, I hope to encourage and support you. You pour out all that energy, learn all those notes, sacrifice so many hours; let's make sure you get filled up between times.
Who am I? I'm a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. I've served local church choirs for over 30 years as director, and I love this ministry! You can read more in "about me" if you like.
I'm often up early. This morning it was beyond early, but there are perks: the birds sent up a cacophony of praise by 4:30 a.m. They have a long work day ahead of them finding food, locating nesting sites (stay out of our garage, please) and building materials, maybe even feeding offspring already. And yet, the first thing they do when day begins is sing.
Have you noticed it's also the last thing they do before night brings sleep?
Let me do the same. "I will praise the Lord at all times. His praise will continually be on my lips." Psalm 34:1
If you're part of a volunteer choir or involved in the worship of your church through music, I hope to encourage and support you. You pour out all that energy, learn all those notes, sacrifice so many hours; let's make sure you get filled up between times.
Who am I? I'm a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. I've served local church choirs for over 30 years as director, and I love this ministry! You can read more in "about me" if you like.
I'm often up early. This morning it was beyond early, but there are perks: the birds sent up a cacophony of praise by 4:30 a.m. They have a long work day ahead of them finding food, locating nesting sites (stay out of our garage, please) and building materials, maybe even feeding offspring already. And yet, the first thing they do when day begins is sing.
Have you noticed it's also the last thing they do before night brings sleep?
Let me do the same. "I will praise the Lord at all times. His praise will continually be on my lips." Psalm 34:1
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