Recently I watched a documentary on HBO that really inspired me- "The Leopards Take Manhattan" is a 35 minute movie following a real life "music man" Diane Downs and her percussion group, made up of 45 students, ages 7-12 called the Louisville Leopards Percussionists.
Diane teaches the group, most of whom don't have any musical experience, how to play awesome jazz pieces.. completely by ear! The results- Amazing!
The coolest part of her teaching method? Once she teaches a part to a few students, she then asks them to go teach it to someone who doesn't know it yet, and so on, and so on. The kids take ownership in the success of the group, and in teaching and caring for each other. hmm
The most touching part of the movie? Seeing the look on the kids faces when they are invited to play for a special concert in New York city... pure joy!
When I think about being a missional musician, or trying to lead a missional music ministry, music opportunities like the one Diane is bringing to these kids, is something I might imagine.
Check this movie out if you can, its playing on HBO Family the 1st week of May. If you don't happen to have that obscure channel, check out these links:
The movie trailer: here
full length videos: here
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Music for Sunday April 19th
The week after Easter- still celebrating! We started a series where we are talking about Walking in the light of, and living as... this week- Walking in the light of forgiveness, how do we live that out?
10:00 worship-
Kristin worship led, with Kevin and Scott on guitar, and our wonderful field worker from Concordia, Stacy on keys. Frank was not there this week... (he is a faithful musician playing 50 weeks out of the year) We missed you Frank :)
Music:
Opening set:
Hope of the Nations by Brian Doerksen- in G
Mighty to Save- in G
confession and absolution
Mighty to Save- Chorus only
communion-
I Know That My Redeemer Lives (hymn) in A using an arrangement I wrote
Alleluia - yes the old Alleluia by Jerry Sinclair- in A
Closer-
In Christ Alone
Notes: Love to use the song Alleluia occasionally, its beautiful, no one has to look at the words, or even know the song, they just sing from their hearts, 2 years old to 103, simple worship
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sanctuary1010 worship
I was at Sanctuary this week, and enjoyed worship leading with just the piano along with Pastor James. He is so easy to sing with, and I also have the bonus of him being so good at transitioning verbally between songs. It was a great morning of wonderful worship.
We didn't start our worship set until after the sermon, and then just continued it on through Face to Face, and through to the closing song. I really like that set up of the service, and it worked particularly well, because Pastor James started the service in a light hearted manner with a video from Vintage21 church, which was a satirical look at what some people thing Jesus is like, after which we had a 'mixer' of sorts breaking up into groups.
Music-
Mighty to Save- (no bridge) -in F
Same Power- (bridge only- there is actually more to this song, but CCLI only prints the notes to the bridge) in F
I Will Rise- In F
You are My King/Amazing Love- in C
I know That my Redeemer Live- in C ( I used a really nice version of "Jesus shall reign" (same melody) from the RUF hymnbook, and took it about 85 beats /min, very effective for those using hymns in their music rotation)
Jesus Paid it All- in C- Kristian Stanfill version, but adapted to piano only, more reflective but very moving
Notes- Good day- Especially great is the amount of Concordia students, 20% of our regular attendance who drive a good 40 minutes to get here every Sunday. I love, love, love their singing! They know most of the songs, and sing them from their hearts
I really liked the set using Mighty to Save in to Same Power- thank you to someone from the Fred McKinnon's Sunday Set List blog carnival, from whom I got the idea (it might have been Fred himself?)
I felt like that set worked well, and that people were really letting their guard down and doing some spontaneous worship during the instrumental breaks, but I started to think too much rather than let the Spirit move us, and I drew the medley to a close before I probably should have. Its amazing how each Sunday is different like that, and you never really know what to expect, reminding me that it really helps to be extra prepared in order to be able to freely go where God takes us in worship.
10:00 worship-
Kristin worship led, with Kevin and Scott on guitar, and our wonderful field worker from Concordia, Stacy on keys. Frank was not there this week... (he is a faithful musician playing 50 weeks out of the year) We missed you Frank :)
Music:
Opening set:
Hope of the Nations by Brian Doerksen- in G
Mighty to Save- in G
confession and absolution
Mighty to Save- Chorus only
communion-
I Know That My Redeemer Lives (hymn) in A using an arrangement I wrote
Alleluia - yes the old Alleluia by Jerry Sinclair- in A
Closer-
In Christ Alone
Notes: Love to use the song Alleluia occasionally, its beautiful, no one has to look at the words, or even know the song, they just sing from their hearts, 2 years old to 103, simple worship
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sanctuary1010 worship
I was at Sanctuary this week, and enjoyed worship leading with just the piano along with Pastor James. He is so easy to sing with, and I also have the bonus of him being so good at transitioning verbally between songs. It was a great morning of wonderful worship.We didn't start our worship set until after the sermon, and then just continued it on through Face to Face, and through to the closing song. I really like that set up of the service, and it worked particularly well, because Pastor James started the service in a light hearted manner with a video from Vintage21 church, which was a satirical look at what some people thing Jesus is like, after which we had a 'mixer' of sorts breaking up into groups.
Music-
Mighty to Save- (no bridge) -in F
Same Power- (bridge only- there is actually more to this song, but CCLI only prints the notes to the bridge) in F
I Will Rise- In F
You are My King/Amazing Love- in C
I know That my Redeemer Live- in C ( I used a really nice version of "Jesus shall reign" (same melody) from the RUF hymnbook, and took it about 85 beats /min, very effective for those using hymns in their music rotation)
Jesus Paid it All- in C- Kristian Stanfill version, but adapted to piano only, more reflective but very moving
Notes- Good day- Especially great is the amount of Concordia students, 20% of our regular attendance who drive a good 40 minutes to get here every Sunday. I love, love, love their singing! They know most of the songs, and sing them from their hearts
I really liked the set using Mighty to Save in to Same Power- thank you to someone from the Fred McKinnon's Sunday Set List blog carnival, from whom I got the idea (it might have been Fred himself?)
I felt like that set worked well, and that people were really letting their guard down and doing some spontaneous worship during the instrumental breaks, but I started to think too much rather than let the Spirit move us, and I drew the medley to a close before I probably should have. Its amazing how each Sunday is different like that, and you never really know what to expect, reminding me that it really helps to be extra prepared in order to be able to freely go where God takes us in worship.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Concert a Week- # 5
Concert # 5 in my concert a week project, included a lovely lunch, so I will start by giving a shout out to a lunch spot called Travelers Cafe, and recommend that if you are in the Westmont area you should check it out. Travelers Cafe, is a friendly, comfortable place that serves up humble breakfast food, sandwiches, soups, salads and some comfort food specials. It also appears that they are a bakery, making among other things, made to order speciality cakes. All the food is homemade, and my tuna on wheat, with a side of delicious cole slaw, was a great accompaniment to the music I came to hear.
Saturday April 11th 11am-1pm Rich and Vicki Ingle entertained us with thier group, Comfort Food... a very fitting title for a group playing at this venue. Rich and Vicki, sang together, Rich on acoustic guitar, and Vicki switching back and forth from acoustic guitar to acoustic bass.
( Acoustic bass... I bought one once, with the idea that I could play in a band somewhere that just happened to need an acoustic bass in their group, along with a bass player who only knew how to play Down on the Corner, Brown Eyed Girl, and Knockin on Heavens Door. After about a day of having the wonderful instrument in my house, I realized I couldn't really afford this dream (the bass), and brought it back to the store, who initially refused to take it back, but that's another story, and all ended well anyway.)
Rich and Vicki unpretentiously sang the stories of our lives through folk songs, their originals and others, and talked to the audience, and made us feel like we are at home in our living room, listening to their music. Good food, good music, and and even a free cd to take home courtesy of Rich and Vicki themselves!
Travelers Cafe appears to have different musicians every Saturday from 11am-1pm, definitely worth a return trip... be sure to call first to be sure.
Saturday April 11th 11am-1pm Rich and Vicki Ingle entertained us with thier group, Comfort Food... a very fitting title for a group playing at this venue. Rich and Vicki, sang together, Rich on acoustic guitar, and Vicki switching back and forth from acoustic guitar to acoustic bass.
( Acoustic bass... I bought one once, with the idea that I could play in a band somewhere that just happened to need an acoustic bass in their group, along with a bass player who only knew how to play Down on the Corner, Brown Eyed Girl, and Knockin on Heavens Door. After about a day of having the wonderful instrument in my house, I realized I couldn't really afford this dream (the bass), and brought it back to the store, who initially refused to take it back, but that's another story, and all ended well anyway.)
Rich and Vicki unpretentiously sang the stories of our lives through folk songs, their originals and others, and talked to the audience, and made us feel like we are at home in our living room, listening to their music. Good food, good music, and and even a free cd to take home courtesy of Rich and Vicki themselves!
Travelers Cafe appears to have different musicians every Saturday from 11am-1pm, definitely worth a return trip... be sure to call first to be sure.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
The hills are alive
Last Saturday evening I settled down for The Sound of Music... 4 hours long with commercials, on ABC Family channel. From the very first note Maria sings on the top of the hill, the nostalgia kicks in. I know the majority of this musical by heart, and I do not consider myself a repeat movie watcher. In fact, I never quite understand the idea of watching movies over and over again, when you could be watching a new one you haven't seen. But after watching it Saturday night, believe it or not, I looked for it again on TV Sunday night, in its traditional spot, Easter Sunday, but it seemingly was replaced with Charlton Heston's Ten Commandments (which I have never seen, and didn't end up watching, it's no Sound of Music after all!).
Watching The Sound of Music, and singing along with the songs, is a complete joy to me. I'm pretty sure its the familiarity of the thing, kind of like comfort food, in a way. I get the same effect watching The Andy Williams Christmas Special, which my mom picked up from pledging to a PBS fund drive. Thank you mom! I have been listening to Andy Williams sing "Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas" since I was a little girl, sitting with my ear up to the speaker singing along to the record. Just imagine the DVD... Andy Williams and brothers performing my favorite Christmas tunes, on The Andy William's show, with terribly fake sets and backdrops, and saccharine sweetness, and The Osmand brothers, and again, for me, nostalgia, joy, comfort!
What is your comfort TV show/movie/song/record?
PS Anyone know where I can find a "sing-along" Sound of Music?
Watching The Sound of Music, and singing along with the songs, is a complete joy to me. I'm pretty sure its the familiarity of the thing, kind of like comfort food, in a way. I get the same effect watching The Andy Williams Christmas Special, which my mom picked up from pledging to a PBS fund drive. Thank you mom! I have been listening to Andy Williams sing "Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas" since I was a little girl, sitting with my ear up to the speaker singing along to the record. Just imagine the DVD... Andy Williams and brothers performing my favorite Christmas tunes, on The Andy William's show, with terribly fake sets and backdrops, and saccharine sweetness, and The Osmand brothers, and again, for me, nostalgia, joy, comfort!
What is your comfort TV show/movie/song/record?
PS Anyone know where I can find a "sing-along" Sound of Music?
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Music for Sunday April 12th
He is Risen- He is Risen Indeed - Hallelujah!
I love Easter Sunday, from the sweet smell of lilies pouring out of the church doors, when we open them for the sunrise service, to the organ, trumpets and timpani, accompanying the congregation on the great Easter hymns! What an awesome day!
At North campus- early and middle service were traditional services, supported by the organ, brass, bells and chancel choir, but at the final service at 10:30, the praise band, choir, and children's choir also participated, creating a blended service of sorts. 475 joined us for worship at the 10:30, stretching the seams of the church in the best way possible! Praise God for this!
Pre-service- Handbells- A Jubilant Psalm- wish I remembered composers name- good piece
Processional Hymn- Jesus Christ Is Risen today- excellent arrangement by Cynthia Dobrinski incorporating brass, a creative handbell part, an exuberant organ, and of course the congregation
song- The Wonder of Your Cross
sermon hymn- Jesus Lives the Victory's One
offering song with the kids choir- All the Earth will sing Your praises
song- Alleluia, Alleluia ( a fun arrangement from Praise Charts, based on the tune of Ode to Joy)
Closing Hymn- I Know My Redeemer Lives- (an excellent arrangement for organ/brass/choir and congregation by Paul Bunjes- and an Easter tradition for us here at Immanuel)
Notes- I'm not sure how I feel about a service that is blended instrumentally, as in making use of organ etc as well a praise band. I do know that I feel quite comfortable using hymns and songs from all generations all in one service, but I'm just not sure about switching back and forth from organ to band. That said I thought everything went well, and flowed great this morning!
One thing: I was very excited to do "The Wonder of Your Cross", Pastor had the congregation sit down for the song and then 75% of them just looked and listened, and did not sing along. I think they thought it was a performance piece, which it was not intended to be. Granted, many of the people coming to our Easter services have come to expect traditionally accompanied hymns, and the remaining folks are visitors, quite possibly not familiar with any of our songs anyway.
For me, I loved the service, (despite my tiny disappointment about people not singing very loud on "the Wonder"...thanks Phil for encouraging them to sing out!). I'm still not sure that trying to do all musically at one service is the best way to reach people... Then again, it is Easter Sunday celebration, why not use all the wonderful gifts and musical talents that Immanuel has to offer? What do you think? Your thoughts are welcome
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Music at Sanctuary
Nathan Fisher worship led along with Andy on bass and Byron on drums over at Sanctuary- Thanks guys!
You can find the set list for Sanctuary here at Planning Center
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Would you like to find out what music other churches around the world used for Easter Sunday?
Check out Fred McKinnon's Blog
I love Easter Sunday, from the sweet smell of lilies pouring out of the church doors, when we open them for the sunrise service, to the organ, trumpets and timpani, accompanying the congregation on the great Easter hymns! What an awesome day!
At North campus- early and middle service were traditional services, supported by the organ, brass, bells and chancel choir, but at the final service at 10:30, the praise band, choir, and children's choir also participated, creating a blended service of sorts. 475 joined us for worship at the 10:30, stretching the seams of the church in the best way possible! Praise God for this!
Pre-service- Handbells- A Jubilant Psalm- wish I remembered composers name- good piece
Processional Hymn- Jesus Christ Is Risen today- excellent arrangement by Cynthia Dobrinski incorporating brass, a creative handbell part, an exuberant organ, and of course the congregation
song- The Wonder of Your Cross
sermon hymn- Jesus Lives the Victory's One
offering song with the kids choir- All the Earth will sing Your praises
song- Alleluia, Alleluia ( a fun arrangement from Praise Charts, based on the tune of Ode to Joy)
Closing Hymn- I Know My Redeemer Lives- (an excellent arrangement for organ/brass/choir and congregation by Paul Bunjes- and an Easter tradition for us here at Immanuel)
Notes- I'm not sure how I feel about a service that is blended instrumentally, as in making use of organ etc as well a praise band. I do know that I feel quite comfortable using hymns and songs from all generations all in one service, but I'm just not sure about switching back and forth from organ to band. That said I thought everything went well, and flowed great this morning!
One thing: I was very excited to do "The Wonder of Your Cross", Pastor had the congregation sit down for the song and then 75% of them just looked and listened, and did not sing along. I think they thought it was a performance piece, which it was not intended to be. Granted, many of the people coming to our Easter services have come to expect traditionally accompanied hymns, and the remaining folks are visitors, quite possibly not familiar with any of our songs anyway.
For me, I loved the service, (despite my tiny disappointment about people not singing very loud on "the Wonder"...thanks Phil for encouraging them to sing out!). I'm still not sure that trying to do all musically at one service is the best way to reach people... Then again, it is Easter Sunday celebration, why not use all the wonderful gifts and musical talents that Immanuel has to offer? What do you think? Your thoughts are welcome
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Music at Sanctuary
Nathan Fisher worship led along with Andy on bass and Byron on drums over at Sanctuary- Thanks guys!
You can find the set list for Sanctuary here at Planning Center
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Would you like to find out what music other churches around the world used for Easter Sunday?
Check out Fred McKinnon's Blog
Friday, April 10, 2009
Concert a Week - #4
I've always wanted to hear an organ trio, an organ trio is usually made up of an organ player on a Hammond, a drummer and some sort of other instrument (or two) like guitar and/or sax. Living in the Chicago area, the opportunities to attend an organ trio show are pretty unlimited. Unfortunately I have yet to make the effort to get into the city for these unlimited opportunities.
So instead, this week for my concert of the week, On Sunday April 5th at 3pm I settle for The Amelia Piano Trio, playing through the Downers Grove Concert Association's Artists showcase West. Just a short jaunt from my home this was very convenient!
The Trio made up of piano, violin and cello performed
Trio, Andante con moto in C minor by Edvard Grieg
Trio in G major, Op. 1, No 2 by Ludwig van Beethoven
Trio in F minor, Op 54 by Antonin Dvorak
Favorites-
I enjoyed the Grieg piece, particularly because of the tone and blend of the violin and cello accompanying the piano, it was warm and soothing
In Dvorak's defense I had to leave the concert early so I didn't hear any of it to make it a favorite..
But I also enjoyed the Scherzo section of the Beethoven, which reminded me of the melody that goes with the song I sing with my sons which goes kind of like this:
So instead, this week for my concert of the week, On Sunday April 5th at 3pm I settle for The Amelia Piano Trio, playing through the Downers Grove Concert Association's Artists showcase West. Just a short jaunt from my home this was very convenient!The Trio made up of piano, violin and cello performed
Trio, Andante con moto in C minor by Edvard Grieg
Trio in G major, Op. 1, No 2 by Ludwig van Beethoven
Trio in F minor, Op 54 by Antonin Dvorak
Favorites-
I enjoyed the Grieg piece, particularly because of the tone and blend of the violin and cello accompanying the piano, it was warm and soothing
In Dvorak's defense I had to leave the concert early so I didn't hear any of it to make it a favorite..
But I also enjoyed the Scherzo section of the Beethoven, which reminded me of the melody that goes with the song I sing with my sons which goes kind of like this:
"... Joe had a head like a ping pong ball, Joe had a head like a ping pong ball, Joe had a head like a ping pong ball, ping pong ball,- Joe had a head like a ping pong, ping pong, ping pong, ping pong, ping pong ball, Joe had a head like a ping pong, ping pong, ping pong, ping pong, (and down the scale) ping, ping, ping, ping, ping, ping, ping, ping, (and back up) pong, pong, pong, pong, pong, pong, pong, pong,pong HEY!..."
The melody? The William Tell Overture! (or the theme from The Lone Ranger as you will see here)
Another thing I appreciated it was the ability to seat myself, and seat myself in the less crowded balcony which lended a great view, and sound, but allowed me to relax a bit more and enjoy the music.
Finally, although this concert was a bit pricey, I really enjoyed the hour long pre-concert talk (of which I was 1/2 hour late to) that is standard to all of the Artist Showcase West Concerts Very informative, I think I might become a member to this local Concert series.
Still looking forward to that Organ trio!
The melody? The William Tell Overture! (or the theme from The Lone Ranger as you will see here)
Another thing I appreciated it was the ability to seat myself, and seat myself in the less crowded balcony which lended a great view, and sound, but allowed me to relax a bit more and enjoy the music.
Finally, although this concert was a bit pricey, I really enjoyed the hour long pre-concert talk (of which I was 1/2 hour late to) that is standard to all of the Artist Showcase West Concerts Very informative, I think I might become a member to this local Concert series.
Still looking forward to that Organ trio!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
A TV show for you
I've caught a few episodes recently of the 2nd season of "Sunday Best" and the singers and music on this show truly inspire me. "Sunday Best" features aspiring Gospel singers, and is sort of like the gospel version of American Idol, with a lot less drama, and much better singers. The season is also only about 8 weeks long, and its nearly over... but never fear... all the episodes are available online for you to watch (or even just listen to) and enjoy. Check it out here- Sunday Best episodes
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Music for Sunday April 5th
Today, in our final week of a series identifying with the people Jesus meets on the way to cross, we put our selves in the shoes of the Greeks, as outsiders, watching Jesus pass by on his way to Jerusalem from John 12:12-21.
I was scheduled to worship lead at Sanctuary today, and at the last minute (and I mean last minute) I asked my good friend Mia to join me, she said yes. We had a quick rehearsal this morning, and off we went. Spirit led, and heartfelt, worship was awesome. Thank you Mia, I hope we can sing together again soon!
Sanctuary Worship
We began the service with Stephen reading Psalm 115 in Hebrew, which I thought was really powerful
Songs-
a time of confession and absolution and then...
What the Lord has done in Me- in C by Reuben Morgan (this is an old favorite over at north campus, but the first time I've used it at Sanctuary. It went well, and transitioned really nice into the chorus of:
Amazing Love/You are my King- in C
Words of Institution/prayer
How Deep the Father's Love for us- in D
Hosanna- in D by Brooke Fraser (I've only used this one one other time, but the people really sang out, especially on the chorus)
In fact the people really sang out on all the songs today which was a joy! Again thank yous to Mia, who has such an amazing way of engaging the congregation.
To close out the service we showed a video taking us from Palm Sunday through Good Friday, after which we sang an arrangement of O Sacred Head Now Wounded, a hymn that when arranged well can surprisingly translate into any worship setting.
-----------------------------------
10:00 service-
Kristin worship led, with some always excellent harmonies from Scott. The band sounded great at practice so I'm sure everything went well today.
Songs-
pre service- You are Holy/Prince of Peace (although this is an older song, I'm bring it back in order to encourage the men to sing out more, since there is a separate part just for them...I can't tell if its working)
processional- Victory Chant (the Sunday School children processed in with palm branches and then sang a couple songs by themselves from the front)
Hosanna/Praise is Rising by Paul Baloche (new favorite of the congregation)
during offering-
All glory Laud and Honor- piano and guitar solo
during communion-
In Christ Alone
What the Lord Has Done in Me
Closing-
We Will Glorify- (I bring this oldy but goody back almost every Palm Sunday. I change the last verse from ...Hallelujah to the King of Kings..., to ... Sing Hosanna to the King of Kings... Traditionally in the Lutheran church, we don't sing "hallelujahs" during Lent. I like the tradition of waiting until Easter Sunday to bring them back in celebration, but I don't really understand where the tradition came from, as I have also been told that since there are 40 days in Lent, each Sunday in Lent is a mini Easter. Oh Well!
Interested in what music other churches are doing? Check out Fred McKinnon's Blog, where over 80 people post there worship sets for the week.
I was scheduled to worship lead at Sanctuary today, and at the last minute (and I mean last minute) I asked my good friend Mia to join me, she said yes. We had a quick rehearsal this morning, and off we went. Spirit led, and heartfelt, worship was awesome. Thank you Mia, I hope we can sing together again soon!
Sanctuary Worship
We began the service with Stephen reading Psalm 115 in Hebrew, which I thought was really powerful
Songs-
a time of confession and absolution and then...
What the Lord has done in Me- in C by Reuben Morgan (this is an old favorite over at north campus, but the first time I've used it at Sanctuary. It went well, and transitioned really nice into the chorus of:
Amazing Love/You are my King- in C
Words of Institution/prayer
How Deep the Father's Love for us- in D
Hosanna- in D by Brooke Fraser (I've only used this one one other time, but the people really sang out, especially on the chorus)
In fact the people really sang out on all the songs today which was a joy! Again thank yous to Mia, who has such an amazing way of engaging the congregation.
To close out the service we showed a video taking us from Palm Sunday through Good Friday, after which we sang an arrangement of O Sacred Head Now Wounded, a hymn that when arranged well can surprisingly translate into any worship setting.
-----------------------------------
10:00 service-
Kristin worship led, with some always excellent harmonies from Scott. The band sounded great at practice so I'm sure everything went well today.
Songs-
pre service- You are Holy/Prince of Peace (although this is an older song, I'm bring it back in order to encourage the men to sing out more, since there is a separate part just for them...I can't tell if its working)
processional- Victory Chant (the Sunday School children processed in with palm branches and then sang a couple songs by themselves from the front)
Hosanna/Praise is Rising by Paul Baloche (new favorite of the congregation)
during offering-
All glory Laud and Honor- piano and guitar solo
during communion-
In Christ Alone
What the Lord Has Done in Me
Closing-
We Will Glorify- (I bring this oldy but goody back almost every Palm Sunday. I change the last verse from ...Hallelujah to the King of Kings..., to ... Sing Hosanna to the King of Kings... Traditionally in the Lutheran church, we don't sing "hallelujahs" during Lent. I like the tradition of waiting until Easter Sunday to bring them back in celebration, but I don't really understand where the tradition came from, as I have also been told that since there are 40 days in Lent, each Sunday in Lent is a mini Easter. Oh Well!
Interested in what music other churches are doing? Check out Fred McKinnon's Blog, where over 80 people post there worship sets for the week.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Concert a Week - #3
This past Saturday I found myself with one day left to find a concert to fulfil the requirements for my self assigned concert a week project. Fortunately, around 8pm that night, my oldest son begged my to take him to Best Buy, so he could buy a very important, item for his even more important, video game console, and I happily took him.
After quickly choosing the needed item, we headed to the check out, where, I looked down and saw a stack of flyers for, what da ya know... a concert... right there at Best Buy...Sun March 29th at 2:30...Jim Peterik. FREE.
The next day, I found myself standing, with about 100 other people, listening to Jim Peterik, founding member of Survivor and Ides of March, and writer of...wait... Eye of the Tiger!
Jim was there promoting his newest recording project, Lifeforce, which I read described as smooth jazz. Listening to it, especially the first song, "Joy", reminded me of the sound of The Peter Mayer Group, who has had some incredible concerts at our church for the last 3 years.
With Jim, was a jazz singer, Lisa McClowry, who I think many in the audience knew, as well as an amazing Flute/sax player, Steve Eiesen ( I love jazz flute), and Jeff Lantz? on keys. Jeff managed to cover the bass part as well as middle rhythm piano, and some great lead parts.
Favorites-
The band did a couple covers of some of Jim's most popular earlier tunes, surprisingly these ended up being my favorites:
-Eye of the Tiger- the song seems almost made for this smooth jazz sound. really!
-Vehicle
PS- The venue
Have you checked out these music stores in the Best Buys? Sooo cute! They are like mini Sam Ashs' or Guitar Centers. The selection is small, and probably expensive, but a great place to go and pick up something quick. ( I bought my other son a capo while I was there). The Best Buy folks squeezed Jim and company into a small section of this store, and we all crowded around for a very up close and personal experience. Good times
After quickly choosing the needed item, we headed to the check out, where, I looked down and saw a stack of flyers for, what da ya know... a concert... right there at Best Buy...Sun March 29th at 2:30...Jim Peterik. FREE.
The next day, I found myself standing, with about 100 other people, listening to Jim Peterik, founding member of Survivor and Ides of March, and writer of...wait... Eye of the Tiger!
Jim was there promoting his newest recording project, Lifeforce, which I read described as smooth jazz. Listening to it, especially the first song, "Joy", reminded me of the sound of The Peter Mayer Group, who has had some incredible concerts at our church for the last 3 years.
With Jim, was a jazz singer, Lisa McClowry, who I think many in the audience knew, as well as an amazing Flute/sax player, Steve Eiesen ( I love jazz flute), and Jeff Lantz? on keys. Jeff managed to cover the bass part as well as middle rhythm piano, and some great lead parts.
Favorites-
The band did a couple covers of some of Jim's most popular earlier tunes, surprisingly these ended up being my favorites:
-Eye of the Tiger- the song seems almost made for this smooth jazz sound. really!
-Vehicle
PS- The venue
Have you checked out these music stores in the Best Buys? Sooo cute! They are like mini Sam Ashs' or Guitar Centers. The selection is small, and probably expensive, but a great place to go and pick up something quick. ( I bought my other son a capo while I was there). The Best Buy folks squeezed Jim and company into a small section of this store, and we all crowded around for a very up close and personal experience. Good times
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