One of the best characteristics of this time of year is surprise. Ironically, spontaneity often takes a little organisation, but it is these unexpected moments that memories are made of.
Watch this wonderful Flash Mob stunt performed recently in a New York shopping centre.
Have an adventurous Advent!
Flash Mob - Halleluia Chorus in a Shopping Centre
Monday, November 29, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
A Cappella Advent
Keeping a lid on Christmas
For worship leaders everywhere, keeping a lid on Christmas celebrations can feel like holding back the tide. End of year festivities, summer holiday preparations (in the southern hemisphere), extra worship services and activities close to Christmas day mean self-reflection and spiritual preparation often take a back seat.
This year, consider having an A Cappella Sunday during advent. Such an approach can provide a stark contrast in the midst of a busy December lifestyle.
Hints for Selecting A Cappella Songs
I have provided a dozen suggestions as a starting point. Be sure to make at least two selections your community know well. Plan to have one sung in unison, one as a canon/round, one in simple parts, and one for which people can invent their own harmonies (eg: Kum by yah) I am certain there will be other songs you will recall as you plan. Your suggested additions to this list are welcome and may be made by means of a post comment.
What is A Cappella Sunday?
May I wish you an adventurous advent!
The Beginnings of a List
What is A Cappella Sunday?
How to teach a song in 4 steps
View other Advent and Christmas material on this blog
For worship leaders everywhere, keeping a lid on Christmas celebrations can feel like holding back the tide. End of year festivities, summer holiday preparations (in the southern hemisphere), extra worship services and activities close to Christmas day mean self-reflection and spiritual preparation often take a back seat.
This year, consider having an A Cappella Sunday during advent. Such an approach can provide a stark contrast in the midst of a busy December lifestyle.
Hints for Selecting A Cappella Songs
I have provided a dozen suggestions as a starting point. Be sure to make at least two selections your community know well. Plan to have one sung in unison, one as a canon/round, one in simple parts, and one for which people can invent their own harmonies (eg: Kum by yah) I am certain there will be other songs you will recall as you plan. Your suggested additions to this list are welcome and may be made by means of a post comment.
What is A Cappella Sunday?
May I wish you an adventurous advent!
The Beginnings of a List
- Come all you people - Come All You People or All Together Whatever
- Glory, Glory Glory (Argentina) - All Together OK
- Be Still and know - Come All You People, As One Voice 2
- Jubilate Deo (there are many, including Jubilate Servite by Jacques Berthier to be sung in two part canon)
- Christ the Worker - All Together Everybody
- There is a line of women - One is the Body
- Children go, I will send you (African American Spiritual)- There are numerous word versions of this song. I have been unable to find the version i learnt as a child, so have provided what I believe are more seasonally appropriate lyrics here.
- Kum By Yah - Come All You People, and many other sources
- O come, O come Emmanuel (plainsong melody from the 15th century which is wonderful sung unaccompanied, or with a bass drone added throughout) - many hymnbooks.
- The Peace of the Earth (This is a beautiful four part vocal song that might be offered by a quartet as a blessing)- There is One Among Us
- Father bless us as we go - All Together Now, Together in Song
What is A Cappella Sunday?
How to teach a song in 4 steps
View other Advent and Christmas material on this blog
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Song: 'Oh God Today' by Craig Mitchell
The supremely talented (and very handsome) Craig Mitchell has provided access to his song, Oh God Today, just in time for Advent. Check out the words, and the manuscript, then listen to the funky band backing provided.
Oh God Today by Craig Mitchell (lyrics and manuscript)
Oh God Today (band backing)
Oh God Today by Craig Mitchell (lyrics and manuscript)
Oh God Today (band backing)
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Twinkle Twinkle Christmas Star / We know that Jesus came at Christmas
Come Christmas season churches enjoy the interest of people who are not especially regular attenders. Many of these folks are unprepared for a new Christmas repertoire, expecting instead to be singing the oldest of carols.
One of the limitations of the older carols is inaccessibility where young children are concerned. Apart from one or two of the best known ones, the text of these centuries old songs is simply too difficult to read, let alone understand. Contemporary songs, on the other hand, may prove a simpler reading exercise, but the tune may be unfamiliar. Too often participation is hindered.
By using a very familiar tune, and apply seasonal words, songs can become accessible to young children and non-readers alike. Try these two on for size. Twinkle twinkle Christmas star is intended for pre-school children, while We know that Jesus came at Christmas may appeal to 6-12 year old children.
Twinkle twinkle Christmas Star.
Its familiar tune is copyright free (thanks to a young Mozart), and universally recognised.
We know that Jesus came at Christmas
This is set to the tune of See ya later Alligator, by Bill Haley and The Comets from the rockin' 50s.
Find more Advent and Christmas resources
Visit Spirited and Singing on Facebook
One of the limitations of the older carols is inaccessibility where young children are concerned. Apart from one or two of the best known ones, the text of these centuries old songs is simply too difficult to read, let alone understand. Contemporary songs, on the other hand, may prove a simpler reading exercise, but the tune may be unfamiliar. Too often participation is hindered.
By using a very familiar tune, and apply seasonal words, songs can become accessible to young children and non-readers alike. Try these two on for size. Twinkle twinkle Christmas star is intended for pre-school children, while We know that Jesus came at Christmas may appeal to 6-12 year old children.
Twinkle twinkle Christmas Star.
Its familiar tune is copyright free (thanks to a young Mozart), and universally recognised.
We know that Jesus came at Christmas
This is set to the tune of See ya later Alligator, by Bill Haley and The Comets from the rockin' 50s.
Find more Advent and Christmas resources
Visit Spirited and Singing on Facebook
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Advent: Memorable Musical Moments
You are invited to recall a memorable music moment in Advent past. You can do this in the left column under "Get Answers". As we begin preparing for this high time in the liturgical calendar, it is often helpful to reflect on why particular moments hold significance.
Let me get the ball rolling.
Each year on Christmas Eve people connected with my faith community gather to sing carols in local nursing homes, and to less mobile members of the community. The singing is unrefined and we can be quite blase about it all really. Yet, there are moments over the years that stick. We have sung to dear friends with debilitating illnesses, to those who are preparing to die, or who have farewelled their life-partner.
One year we visited a feisty and passionate woman who was close to death. She was dearly loved, a determined social justice advocate and faithful friend. She could no longer speak, but listening to our imperfect singing with tears trickling down her face. It was last time I saw her. She died within the week. It was such a privelege to be reminded that life is a gift, and to remember how this grand lady had lived life fully, in the moment, and for others.
Share a memory you have in the "Get Answers" box.
Let me get the ball rolling.
Each year on Christmas Eve people connected with my faith community gather to sing carols in local nursing homes, and to less mobile members of the community. The singing is unrefined and we can be quite blase about it all really. Yet, there are moments over the years that stick. We have sung to dear friends with debilitating illnesses, to those who are preparing to die, or who have farewelled their life-partner.
One year we visited a feisty and passionate woman who was close to death. She was dearly loved, a determined social justice advocate and faithful friend. She could no longer speak, but listening to our imperfect singing with tears trickling down her face. It was last time I saw her. She died within the week. It was such a privelege to be reminded that life is a gift, and to remember how this grand lady had lived life fully, in the moment, and for others.
Share a memory you have in the "Get Answers" box.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Percussion Perspective
Contemporary culture puts great store on the latest technology and trends. Paradoxically, the traditional church has a tendency to scorn new ideas, instead clinging to tried and tested practices.This poses particular challenges for contemporarily minded musicians.
An Historical Perspective
Are those highly valued traditions really that old anyway? Pipe organs, for example, were unheard of for the first 1,500 years of Christendom. Prior to that church bands and a cappella singing were the order of the day. And in the early church scholars believe song was predominantly accompanied by percussion instruments.
But those old hymns were written for pipe organ, weren't they?
On the contrary, many of the oldest hymns are settings of old dance tunes, drinking songs, popular songs and patriotic anthems. Be Thou my vision (Slane) is Gaelic and hails from the 8th century (no pipe organs then my friend) and may be best accompanied with tin whistle and bodhran. Many other hymn tunes of Gaelic origin might be considered in the same light. All Creatures of our God and King (Lasst uns Erfreuen) and Praise to The Lord (Lobe den Herren) are thought to have originally been dances from northern Europe (think dancing and singing around a campfire here folks). Famously, Silent Night was written for guitar accompaniment after mice ate through the cathedral organ's bellows. But I digress!
The Trouble with Hymnbooks
Put a song into a hymnbook and you can be sure of one thing: many people will ignore its origin, assume the accompanying instrument should be the organ, and play at cathedral pace. Consequently many of our hymns are inapproprately hyper-harmonised in the traditional mould, diminishing one of the great strengths of our repertoire - global diversity. God sends us his Spirit hails from Ghana. How many pipe organs do you think there are are in Ghana?
Using Percussion to Enlivening the Singing
Accompanying sung voices with percussion is the most effective way of ensuring the sung words are dominant. The more notes that are played by instrumentalists, the less weight is given to the sung text. Not only does harmonisation alter the mood of the song, but it also tends to slow its tempo or pace. Keep in mind that cathedral pace, neccesarily slow because of the reverberant acoustic in a cathedral, is irrelevent in most worship spaces.
Advantages of Percussion Accompaniment
1. Most People Can
Most of those who come to worship can tap in time, and by extension will be able to play a simple beat. Fewer people, but still a goodly number, can play a simple complementary rhythm. It doesn't need to be complex. A simple beat on the first beat of the bar can be surprisingly effective. Most people will need to devote their entire attention to their percussion part, and refrain from singing.
2. Portability
There is no need for electricity and so percussion instruments have obvious advantages for stations of the cross, carol singing, worship-on-the-move, camps, and worship in the open air. Many larger drums can be hung across the body of their player by drumming straps.
3. Inexpensive
OK, so they can be very expensive, depending on what you choose to purchase. Claves, tone blocks and maracas are easily found at reasonable prices. A maraca egg can be bought for just a dollar or two. A quality tambourine or cabasa is a little more expensive, and good quality drums can set the heart rate apace!
However, fairs and fetes, local music shops and e-bay are great places to pick up a bargain. Washboards can occasionally be found in second hand shops - and I'll wager there are plenty of older folks who have an old one lying around in their shed. Consider making your own instruments for a fraction of the price. Start by acquiring a great drum, the deeper the better, and build from there.
Getting Started - What to Play
I am not a fan of the everyone-pick-up-an-instrument-and-whack routine. We can do much better than that! Rather have two or three well-rehearsed people accompany a song with well-chosen rhythms. One person might simply beat a drum on the first beat of each bar, providing stability to the ensemble. A second could choose a brief and interesting rhythm from the song and play it several times throughout, leaving plenty of space inbetween. To get started, have a gander at my percussion suggestions for using The King of Glory Comes and Praise to the Lord. Better still, find out how to have a full-on A Cappella Sunday.
And another thing...
For drummers, faith communities can be a tough crowd, particularly those with a traditional music heritage. Take a look at this article, The Challenge of Playing Drums in Church by John Schmidli which offers practical solutions to some common pitfalls for young drummers.
You may also be interested in
Poll: How Does the Church Accompany Song in 2011?
Psalm 107 with Drum
Visit Spirited and Singing on Facebook
An Historical Perspective
Are those highly valued traditions really that old anyway? Pipe organs, for example, were unheard of for the first 1,500 years of Christendom. Prior to that church bands and a cappella singing were the order of the day. And in the early church scholars believe song was predominantly accompanied by percussion instruments.
But those old hymns were written for pipe organ, weren't they?
On the contrary, many of the oldest hymns are settings of old dance tunes, drinking songs, popular songs and patriotic anthems. Be Thou my vision (Slane) is Gaelic and hails from the 8th century (no pipe organs then my friend) and may be best accompanied with tin whistle and bodhran. Many other hymn tunes of Gaelic origin might be considered in the same light. All Creatures of our God and King (Lasst uns Erfreuen) and Praise to The Lord (Lobe den Herren) are thought to have originally been dances from northern Europe (think dancing and singing around a campfire here folks). Famously, Silent Night was written for guitar accompaniment after mice ate through the cathedral organ's bellows. But I digress!
The Trouble with Hymnbooks
Put a song into a hymnbook and you can be sure of one thing: many people will ignore its origin, assume the accompanying instrument should be the organ, and play at cathedral pace. Consequently many of our hymns are inapproprately hyper-harmonised in the traditional mould, diminishing one of the great strengths of our repertoire - global diversity. God sends us his Spirit hails from Ghana. How many pipe organs do you think there are are in Ghana?
Using Percussion to Enlivening the Singing
Accompanying sung voices with percussion is the most effective way of ensuring the sung words are dominant. The more notes that are played by instrumentalists, the less weight is given to the sung text. Not only does harmonisation alter the mood of the song, but it also tends to slow its tempo or pace. Keep in mind that cathedral pace, neccesarily slow because of the reverberant acoustic in a cathedral, is irrelevent in most worship spaces.
Advantages of Percussion Accompaniment
1. Most People Can
Most of those who come to worship can tap in time, and by extension will be able to play a simple beat. Fewer people, but still a goodly number, can play a simple complementary rhythm. It doesn't need to be complex. A simple beat on the first beat of the bar can be surprisingly effective. Most people will need to devote their entire attention to their percussion part, and refrain from singing.
2. Portability
There is no need for electricity and so percussion instruments have obvious advantages for stations of the cross, carol singing, worship-on-the-move, camps, and worship in the open air. Many larger drums can be hung across the body of their player by drumming straps.
3. Inexpensive
OK, so they can be very expensive, depending on what you choose to purchase. Claves, tone blocks and maracas are easily found at reasonable prices. A maraca egg can be bought for just a dollar or two. A quality tambourine or cabasa is a little more expensive, and good quality drums can set the heart rate apace!
However, fairs and fetes, local music shops and e-bay are great places to pick up a bargain. Washboards can occasionally be found in second hand shops - and I'll wager there are plenty of older folks who have an old one lying around in their shed. Consider making your own instruments for a fraction of the price. Start by acquiring a great drum, the deeper the better, and build from there.
Getting Started - What to Play
I am not a fan of the everyone-pick-up-an-instrument-and-whack routine. We can do much better than that! Rather have two or three well-rehearsed people accompany a song with well-chosen rhythms. One person might simply beat a drum on the first beat of each bar, providing stability to the ensemble. A second could choose a brief and interesting rhythm from the song and play it several times throughout, leaving plenty of space inbetween. To get started, have a gander at my percussion suggestions for using The King of Glory Comes and Praise to the Lord. Better still, find out how to have a full-on A Cappella Sunday.
And another thing...
For drummers, faith communities can be a tough crowd, particularly those with a traditional music heritage. Take a look at this article, The Challenge of Playing Drums in Church by John Schmidli which offers practical solutions to some common pitfalls for young drummers.
You may also be interested in
Poll: How Does the Church Accompany Song in 2011?
Psalm 107 with Drum
Visit Spirited and Singing on Facebook
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