The music of my Youth

Music was an important part of my life growing up. My elementary years were filled with the sounds playing on my parents record player; I memorized most of the lyrics to all the records my folks had of The Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, The Carpenters, Billy Joel, John Denver and... Barry Manilow!
The music I learned in church, Sunday school, Vacation bible school, and church camp (Camp Luther in Three Lakes, Wisconsin for me), has also remained with me over the years. I always loved any song that we could sing in a round or add harmony or a descant to! Seek Ye First, Sing Hallelujah to the Lord, Blind Man, For these Tears, Father I Adore You, the list goes on. I'd love to hear what music you most remember listening to in your elementary years. Post in the comment section below!

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More than ever, I feel that the church as a whole, has a great opportunity to help give our kids the chance to explore their unique expressions in art and music. Schools are having to phase out their programs and parents don't have the money to pay for lessons. I'm sure each of us has our own stories about how music influenced us as we were growing up. Why couldn't that music influence come from the church?

Here are some great opportunities to help kids get involved in music around Immanuel :

Joyful Noise Children's Choir- for all 2nd-8th graders. we meet on Wednesday's during the school year, at Immanuel from 5:45-6:15. All are welcome anytime during the year!


On Tuesday October 20, at 6pm we will be starting the Jesus is the Rock Youth Band.
This group will meet on Tuesdays from 6pm-7pm.

We are looking for:

Musicians grades 6th-10th (guitar, electric guitar, drum set, bass and keyboards) at least 2 years of music lessons on your instrument will be helpful to being a part of this group.

We also have a wish list of items (new or used) that we could use to get us started:

Wish List

Small electronic keyboard
Full size electronic keyboard/synthesizer
Keyboard stands (2)
Small amplifier
Electric guitar
Portable cd player
Microphone
Microphone stand
Music Stands (3 or 4)
Guitar stands (2 or 3)
Drum equipment (either cymbals and stands for an acoustic kit, or a small electronic set)


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I have started on the Sunday School Hymn of the Month cd volume 2 and am looking for help. This cd will be a compilation of familiar Lutheran hymns that all children should know. Each year, for as many years as we can, we would like to record a new set of hymns, that the children and their families can have, that will allow them to become familiar with these hymns that they may otherwise rarely, or never get the chance to hear.Last year, Dan recorded, I arranged and played, Gina, Kristin, myself and Elyse from Joyful Noise sang on the cd. It was alot of fun to do, and the children have really enjoyed the cd. I would love to get even more people involved this year.

If you would be interested in any aspect of this really neat project, please let me know! The project needs to be completed by December 12th, so obviously time is of the essence, but I know we can do it!
To begin the project, I need arrangers. If you would like and have the ability to create an original arrangement to one (or more) of the hymns for this year (listed below) please choose one and get back to me in the next few days with your choice. (first come first serve) The only stipulations for the arrangement, is that the melody stick fairly close to the original, and that it use the lyrics to at least the 1st verse of the song. You may arrange in any style you would like, and can even add an original chorus or bridge. In interest of time, arrangements should be kept simple (1 or 2 instruments, 1 or 2 voices). We can add more to the recordings at a later date if there is time.

Here are the hymns for the Hymn of the Month Project Volume 2. (let me know if you would like any more info about the hymn- ie hymn #, tune name, or if you would like to have a hymnal to take home)

Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty
For All the Saints
Now Thank We All our God
All Hail the Power of Jesus Name
On My Heart Imprint Your Image
At the Lamb's High Feast We Sing
Holy, Holy, Holy
Now the Light Has Gone Away (Frank's already called this one- thank you frank!)

**Time is running short, if you would like to create a simple arrangement of one of these hymns, let me know as soon as possible.

I am also looking for someone interested in doing a recording of these hymn arrangements.
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Happy Fall everyone!

New Music for you

I like collecting and listening to hymn compilation projects, from Johnny Cash to Jars of Clay, I love new arrangements of old hymns! A dream of mine is to create a recording of hymns of my own...

Jadon Lavik's Roots Run Deep is a collection of hymns, just the way I like them. Simple instrumentation, not over-produced, easy to listen to and sing along with. If you have listened to Fernando Ortega's hymn arrangements you will recognize some similarities in the simple style, and you'll even hear Fernando singing on one of the tracks

Check it out!

Enjoy!

PS anyone want to do a hymn project with me?

music for Sunday June 28th

Busy weekend of awesome praising through music!

Sat Family Fun Fest with 3 bands sharing their music

Sun- great music at 10:00 and at Sanctuary1010

Sun afternoon-music at Pastor Hudson's installation

Thank You God for all these opportunities to share the message of Your Love!


Music Set at 10:00

Theme- 2nd commandment (we are in a summer series going through the 10 commandments)
You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God

You You are God- From Gateway Worship (First time for this song for us, and it went very well, the choir seemed to enjoy singing it and picked up on it quickly which is always a good sign that the congregation will like it too- I, alto, was leading this one, so we did it in A which was a good key, I just sang c's rather than low a's on the melody on the verse to keep it from getting to low)

You are Holy/Prince of Peace (I am now really hearing the men sing out on their part on this one. I'd like to find more songs that we can break into parts like this- any ideas?)

Your Name- Paul Baloche (we've been doing this song for quite some time, I haven't been sure that it has been connecting with our band and choir, but today proved me wrong- beautiful!)

Psalm 19/May the Words of My Mouth- Terry Butler-1995 (this is a favorite at Immanuel- if you have never heard it before, check it out, it's a very simple but worshipful song using the text of Psalm 19)

offering- Heaven is My Home- new melody arrangement of the old hymn by me ( one of our guitar players asked that we do this song and dedicate it to a young father who had recently passed away)

Closing - Blessed be Your Name

Notes:
no sound guy today, so we had to go with the unmanned smaller system, which was very limiting and a little frustrating, but all worked out okay. We have two great pre-college sound guys who volunteer week after week, but we need to train more people to fill in. Anyone out there?? we need Yoooou!!


Music at Sanctuary1010

Don's band played at Sanctuary, I got to hear them for the first time at Family Fun Fest on Sat they sounded great! Check out their service plan and song choices here at plannning center

Check out even more Sunday set lists here at FredMcKinnon's blog where 70 or so churches from around the world post each week

Music for Sunday June 7th

Trinity Sunday this past weekend and Pastor Hudson's last Sunday at Sanctuary :(
I was at Sanctuary with a band we pulled together- thanks Joel, Dustin, Mia and Byron! Good times, great sound!

Music at Sanctuary1010

The theme of the service was based on Isaiah 6 "here I am send me" the amazing part was, that text being so perfect as a theme text for Pastor Hudson's last Sunday at Sanctuary, is actually part of the lectionary for the day. We modeled the service after Isaiah 6:1-8, and it was very, very nice

you should check here at planning center for the details of the service!

Songs used:

You are Holy,Lord God Almighty (a chorus I wrote that works well interspersed with scripture, the chorus is also a counter melody to the first line of the hymn "holy, holy, holy" and works well to have a background singer come in on that)

Holy, Holy, Holy (the hymn)

Righteous Desire ( a great new song by my friend Mia Koehne, the people really sang along with this one- her cd with this song on it will be coming out soon, more info can be found at her website on that)

Not to Us- Chris Tomlin in G (this key worked well for us, thanks Joel for making it happen!)

To the Ends of the Earth in G (a favorite of mine, the congregation really sings out on, although I have had mixed reviews on this from other musicians. wondering why? great song for me)

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Music at 10:00
pre
sing to the King

opening
Our God Saves- Paul Baloche -in C (one of the very few 'contemporary' songs that mentions the Trinity.)
Holy Holy holy -in C

after absolution
Holy holy Holy -in C modulating to D (nice arrangement from a book from Break forth/Arlen Salte

offering- Glorify Thy Name (yes, that old one..."father we love you, we worship and adore you, glorify thy name in all the earth" )

communion
How Deep the Father's Love for Us -in E
Here I am to Worship- in E

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check out other worship set lists from around the world here at Fred McKinnon's worship set list blog carnival- good stuff!

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Question- Does anyone know of any other contemporary worship songs or hymns that include mention of the Holy Trinity? time to start writing!

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?

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

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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

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Would you like to find out what music other churches around the world used for Easter Sunday?
Check out Fred McKinnon's Blog

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:

"... 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!