Perhaps it is the busiest time of year, and yet in Advent and Christmas the most creative ideas come to the fore.
Share what you're planning, or perhaps what you have done in past years, by posting a comment. All ideas are welcome no matter how simple or how grand. you may also wish to scatter thought-seeds around, and invite the embellishment (or otherwise) of others.
Showing posts with label Advent. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Advent. Show all posts
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Wonderful Singing Moment
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
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 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, October 29, 2010
The Shepherd's Rap
About this Rap
This participatory rap was written for the children's Advent Workshop program at Ringwood Uniting Church, Australia in 1993. It is still fun. Its participatory nature requires the gathered community to join the refrain. While originally written for children, subsequent use has proved there are many young-at-heart folks in churches.
You will need:
2 shepherds (dressed appropriately) who can carry off the rap
3 people, each to lead one of the community parts (dressed variously as an angel, baby and sheep)
A drum beat in four, using live musos or drum machine
Notes for presentation
Please send any filmed renditions for inclusion on this site. Have fun with it!
Print the rap (page 1)
Print the rap (page 2)
What is rap?
You may also be interested in The Rap of the 3 Travellers. There are 3 pages to copy.
page 1, page 2, page 3
More Resources for Advent and Christmas
This participatory rap was written for the children's Advent Workshop program at Ringwood Uniting Church, Australia in 1993. It is still fun. Its participatory nature requires the gathered community to join the refrain. While originally written for children, subsequent use has proved there are many young-at-heart folks in churches.
You will need:
2 shepherds (dressed appropriately) who can carry off the rap
3 people, each to lead one of the community parts (dressed variously as an angel, baby and sheep)
A drum beat in four, using live musos or drum machine
Notes for presentation
- There are no breaks between the spoken lines. Each line should last the same number of beats (count four for each line) flow effortlessly from one to the next. The spoken rhythm of each line will vary.
- The only space where drumming is exposed for a bar or two is during the introduction and after each verse and refrain to allow breathing space.
- Be prepared to rehearse. Shepherds, angel, baby and sheep should be under no illusions about the need for preparation.
- As with all drama, memorising parts always produces a superior result.
- Divide the community into three groups: angels, babies and sheep. Rehearse the refrain beforehand.Please feel free to omit some stanzas in the interest of brevity.
Please send any filmed renditions for inclusion on this site. Have fun with it!
Print the rap (page 1)
Print the rap (page 2)
What is rap?
You may also be interested in The Rap of the 3 Travellers. There are 3 pages to copy.
page 1, page 2, page 3
More Resources for Advent and Christmas
Friday, October 22, 2010
The King of Glory Comes
'Christ The King' Sunday
When planning for 'Christ the King' Sunday, consider using The King of Glory - a great choice for young bands. Its tune originates from a traditional Israeli melody, and has just enough rhythmic invention to make it interesting, and not so much to perplex those singing it. The key of the song is user-friendly. E minor is a simple key, with only an F sharp in the key signature. While a single G sharp appears for the final chord, those playing the bass notes, much of the accompaniment, and the entire melody will be untroubled by troublesome "black notes" (if you'll excuse the pianist's terminology!).
Instrument-Friendly
In the verses recorder players will find the range accessible, as will flautists. The notes to be played are among those first learnt on these instruments.
The Bass
Bass instruments could play a simplified bassline: E-B-E-B in the refrain, and G-D-G-D etc.. in the verses, but that can sound a bit oompah! Instead try sustaining a single bass note (E (for two bars) then C-D-E in the refrain (twice). For the verse, bass players can underpin the accompaniment simply by sustaining a G until the refrain comes around again. Thats a total of 4 different notes. Simple!
Percussive Ostinato
Chose a motif (eg: "na-tion re-joi-ces") and allocate the rhythm to claves, tambourines or hand drum, to play whenever that rhythm occurs in the song. In this case, the identical rhythm comes with "lift up your voices", and both phrases occur during the refrain.
Mixing it Up
As the rhythm is quite repetitive I'd suggest alternative instrumental treatment from refrain to verse. For example you may engage drum, guitars, bass instruments and hand percussion in the refrain, and make a contrast by utilising recorders, keyboard and triangle for the verses. The advantage of this 2-edged approach for a young band is the playing is not so relentless, there is less for each player to learn, and the result is varied for the singers/listeners.
I suspect variety is the intention behind the suggested note that a cantor sing the verses and the gathered people render the refrain. While some songs by Joseph Gelineau, for example, have verses which are rhythmically and melodically varied from one to the next, it is not so here. I see no reason for this instruction, other than the provision of contrast. An alternative suggestion for those without instruments is to alternate the verse singing between left and right side, women and men, or children and adults.
Final Refrain
As the origins of the music are from Israel, it is quite legitimate to repeat the refrain several times over, gradually increasing the speed. What an exhilarating way the prepare for Advent.
Now if you could just get the congregation to dance...WOW!
For more on accompanying hymns creatively with integrity, visit Revisiting Old Treasures
When planning for 'Christ the King' Sunday, consider using The King of Glory - a great choice for young bands. Its tune originates from a traditional Israeli melody, and has just enough rhythmic invention to make it interesting, and not so much to perplex those singing it. The key of the song is user-friendly. E minor is a simple key, with only an F sharp in the key signature. While a single G sharp appears for the final chord, those playing the bass notes, much of the accompaniment, and the entire melody will be untroubled by troublesome "black notes" (if you'll excuse the pianist's terminology!).
Instrument-Friendly
In the verses recorder players will find the range accessible, as will flautists. The notes to be played are among those first learnt on these instruments.
The Bass
Bass instruments could play a simplified bassline: E-B-E-B in the refrain, and G-D-G-D etc.. in the verses, but that can sound a bit oompah! Instead try sustaining a single bass note (E (for two bars) then C-D-E in the refrain (twice). For the verse, bass players can underpin the accompaniment simply by sustaining a G until the refrain comes around again. Thats a total of 4 different notes. Simple!
Percussive Ostinato
Chose a motif (eg: "na-tion re-joi-ces") and allocate the rhythm to claves, tambourines or hand drum, to play whenever that rhythm occurs in the song. In this case, the identical rhythm comes with "lift up your voices", and both phrases occur during the refrain.
Mixing it Up
As the rhythm is quite repetitive I'd suggest alternative instrumental treatment from refrain to verse. For example you may engage drum, guitars, bass instruments and hand percussion in the refrain, and make a contrast by utilising recorders, keyboard and triangle for the verses. The advantage of this 2-edged approach for a young band is the playing is not so relentless, there is less for each player to learn, and the result is varied for the singers/listeners.
I suspect variety is the intention behind the suggested note that a cantor sing the verses and the gathered people render the refrain. While some songs by Joseph Gelineau, for example, have verses which are rhythmically and melodically varied from one to the next, it is not so here. I see no reason for this instruction, other than the provision of contrast. An alternative suggestion for those without instruments is to alternate the verse singing between left and right side, women and men, or children and adults.
Final Refrain
As the origins of the music are from Israel, it is quite legitimate to repeat the refrain several times over, gradually increasing the speed. What an exhilarating way the prepare for Advent.
For more on accompanying hymns creatively with integrity, visit Revisiting Old Treasures
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Song for Advent/Holy Week: Shine A Candle
Shine a candle was originally written to accompany the lighting of Advent candles, but may also be of use during Holy Week. It is a song of gentle longing. This song may be sung any number of times, as required. The final refrain may be underlined by singing the line, "till the day when Christ arrives", three times..
How to Play it
The manuscript indicates guitar chords, and also bass notes. The bass brings gravity to the accompaniment, providing equal doses of tension and resolution - such is the suspense of Advent. Without the bass, the song can be insipid. If you have no bass instrument, the piano can provide this element in octaves.
Tempo
Pace is important. Please note the metronome speed marked.
View/Print a copy of the song
More resources for Advent and Christmas
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