I really enjoyed rehearsal last night, as I hope you did. I feel like we are making some great progress on the Christmas music. I realize it's a challenge to get the excitement level up for a rehearsal, but that extra energy we add to the music lets me know that you're grasping the concepts I throw at you. With the songs we are doing for Christmas, it is extremely important to express excitement and joy. That's why I keep harping on the surges and dynamics of this stuff. Keep up the great work!

Remember we are singing "I'm Amazed" Sunday morning and "Built on the Rock" and "My Hope" Sunday evening. If possible, I'd love to have everyone at rehearsal on Sunday afternoon at 4:45 in the Sanctuary. This will give us a chance to really nail the settings for sound needs. (We WILL have chairs in the loft for Sunday night) Thank you for what you do, and let's look forward to an exciting day as we worship this Sunday.

I missed you while I was in revival at Boone's Chapel this week. The revival meetings went very well; Bro Tim did the preaching and I led the music. I am excited to tell you that we saw just over 40 precious souls saved this week--what a great meeting!

It's so nice to know that in my absence Gary did a great job with rehearsal. We'll be singing "Built on the Rock" this Sunday with Stephanie Otstot doing the solo. I'm looking forward to it--I know it will be great (no pressure, Steph).

Just a note about rehearsals... We've started Sunday afternoon rehearsal in addition to our regular Wednesday night rehearsal. If at all possible, I hope you will be at both practices each week, especially with the extra time we'll have to devote to Christmas music.

As I said last week, this really is the most difficult Christmas music out there. It's awesome to be part of a choir that can even attempt the tough stuff, but it will take a lot of work. "For unto whom much is given, of him shall much be required." Luke 12:48. God has given us incredible musical talent, but realize that with those gifts comes additional responsibility. Let's commit ourselves to hard work and dedication and watch how God will bless!

I'm so thankful Summer is over! I know that sounds silly, but choir always kicks back up around this time of year, and that's something to be thankful for. And since we have a lot to look forward to, let's build some momentum to carry us all the way to December!

We'll be working on the finishing touches for "My Hope" for Sunday, and try to make some big strides on "I'm Amazed". Get ready to start Christmas music next week. More details to come...

We'll be singing "Days of Elijah" along with the Youth Choir this Sunday morning. As we discussed, let's encourage these youth as we sing together this week.

I forgot to mention that there are CD's for you with all the Mike Speck music on them. In case you didn't grab one Wednesday, they will be available on Sunday.

I am really excited about Mike being with us next weekend. With all of his experience, he offers a new perspective and great insight, and I know you will be encouraged by his instruction. Remember, that's Saturday, July 25 @ 4:00.

WOW! Battle Hymn was awesome! You could probably tell by my facial expression and by the congregation's response that you sounded incredible. It's funny how songs sometimes come together at the last minute- but not funny enough to let it happen every week. You should feel a sense of accomplishment having done the Wilhousky Battle Hymn so well. Problem is- now we have no excuse when we tackle difficult pieces in the future.

This week is "Thou, O Lord" week. Let's keep pushing forward from here and sing to the best of our abilities as we lead in worship.

The upcoming choir workshop will begin at 4:00 on Saturday afternoon on July 25th. We will sing "I Wish I Could've Been There" and "All the Way" in the a.m. service on the 26th. Then we will also rehearse on Sunday afternoon at 4:30 for the evening service, which will include "He'd Still Been God", "God Says You're Gonna Make It", "Seated", "Let the Rocks Keep Silent", and two new songs which Mike Speck will rehearse with us. Mike is a dynamic director and I know you will enjoy working with him.

Sorry about the delay with getting started last night; I think we have all the bugs worked out now.

We are singing "I Am Blessed" Sunday; it needs a little more work for which we didn't have time. Any extra work you can do on your own time will help tremendously this week.

Men did a great job on the "truth is mar-ching" section of "Battle Hymn", but the quartet section regressed a lot from the progress we made. Keep it fresh on your minds and we'll push on from there next week. We will work out the last chorus as well, and then spend a good bit of time with the orchestra.

Great rehearsal Wednesday! We're singing "He'd Still Been God" Sunday with Lisa Rice, Stephanie Otstot, Clark Alexander, Stephanie Jenkins, and Renee Minor doing the "trio" part. Men will rehearse this Sunday in the sanctuary at 4:30 for the "Battle Hymn". We will NOT rehearse next Wednesday because of VBS.
We don't have a lot of time left to work on music for July 5th Sunday, so any preparation you can do on your own time would be very beneficial. Get ready to say "Tru-thi-smar-ching about a million times in the next few weeks.

Don't forget to really "come alive" on the last verse of "What a Lovely Name" (He'll return in clouds of glory...). If we're excited about what we sing, it will be contagious to the audience!
I also want to encourage you to sing in the choir for both morning services. It makes such a difference to have a full choir loft for each service, and I appreciate the sacrifice you make to take part in leading worship.

The schedule for upcoming songs has changed! Some of the songs will stay the same, but several will be rescheduled for a later time. This Sunday we will sing "What a Lovely Name" from the Homecoming book.

Nicole and I certainly enjoyed last night's fellowship. Thanks for bringing all the good food, and a special thanks to all the ladies who worked in the kitchen before and afterward.
We'll be singing "Because He Lives" this Sunday with accompaniment CD, and I'll be doing the solo. I believe you all would be more comfortable with your entrances and cues with a director, so Gary will be leading the choir as I am singing the solo.
I love you, choir. Keep on keeping on!

Don't forget to bring your favorite snack tonight for the choir/orchestra fellowship. Please bring the food to the kitchen and Mrs. Betty Jo will set it aside or place it in the fridge for you during the church service.
Tonight we will first prepare for Sunday, and then a conductor-in-training (not who you expect) will take a few minutes introducing a new song to you guys. Then, we'll eat and just hang out. I look forward to a fun evening with all my music partners!

Nicole and I are going out of town for a few days.  We will be coming back into town on Saturday.  

Thank you for the great choir practice last night.  I felt like we accomplished a lot.  Remember that we will be singing "Redeemed By The Blood Medley" this Sunday.   

Men: Due to the Awana Awards Day this Sunday, we will not be practicing early this week. 

However, mark your calendars for Sunday, May 31st at 4:00 pm.   

We will be having a Choir Fellowship next Wednesday night at the end of choir practice!  Bring your favorite finger foods, and remember to tell others who may not know so that we can all enjoy this time of fellowship together.

*Don't forget that we are currently updating choir member information.  Be sure to turn in your choir info. cards.  

Your faithfulness in our music ministry is a blessing to me!

Bro. Michael

Hopefully each of you got an email from me that included a link to this blog page. Keep this website address handy and check in at least weekly to get updated information on choir stuff. This can be a really helpful resource if you want to brush up on rehearsal highlights, or just need to be reminded of what we are singing on Sunday. Please refer other choir members to this site, as it can keep us all on the same page (especially if you HAVE to miss a rehearsal--with a really good excuse). I will probably do my most important posting on Thursday mornings, when the Wednesday rehearsal is fresh on my mind.

Here's a quick link to watch the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing the Battle Hymn. Notice three things:
1) The vowel shapes of the men-- the mouth barely even changes between "glo-" and "-ry". They flip the "r" and keep the lips round while the tongue shapes the "y", just like we've worked on.
2)The vowel shapes of the women--how much they open their mouths even from the beginning "gloria".
3)Listen to the tempo changes; I will conduct it very similarly to this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmTWVJ_pXBk

Great rehearsal Wednesday night! This Sunday we're singing "Jesus Messiah", and remember that the choir picks up at the end of the second verse with "love so amazing..." The Coda section ("all our hope is in you...") requires some extra focus on the meaning of the lyrics. It really does come across when you give that extra effort.

Mixed Ensemble needs to be on stage, ready to rehearse at 8:30.

I know we had to stay a few minutes late due to the sound system setup for the ensemble Wednesday night. Thank you for your patience through that setup and rehearsal with the orchestra. It sounds fantastic out in the congregation. I'm looking forward to Sunday!