20 (New Year) Resolutions for the Church Musician

Most New Years come and go before I've made a decent resolution. This year I am determined to be better prepared. Here is a list of suggestions you might like to run past your faith commmunity, family, actual friends and facebook friends. They are not limited to the institutional church, but extend into everyday.

1. Sing to a child
2. Listen attentively to a child singing
3. Invite everyone you know around for a singalong (just for the fun of it.)
4. Have a fundraising drive to boost the music budget
5. Clean out the music cupboard
6. Buy a new contemporary music source
7. Book a course to extend your skills
8. Recruit a new member to the church band or choir
9. Say "well done you" to another muso
10. Use an instrument you haven't tried before (harmonica, tin whistle, banjo, recorder)
11. Delegate... and trust it will be done.
12. Don't look so busy - leave the packing up until later
13. Sing in places other than the shower, just because.
14. Invite an older person (than you) to play their instrument in worship.

15. Organise an event where instrumentalists of all ages can strut their stuff.

16 Buy a really great drum (toms, djembe, bohran are all great choices)

17. Learn how to drum properly

18. Have a massage, light an aromatherapy candle, breathe deeply. 

19. Learn about and listen to a style of music you don't like

20.Sing an really ancient hymn unaccompanied all the way through.

Got another idea?

What is your musical resolution for 2011?

You may also be interested in Into the New Year: Remembering the Past and Looking to the Future

Musicians now "Ministers" in Canada

Musicians in the United Church of Canada are rejoicing after being given the opportunity to be recognised as ministers, alongside Congregational Designated Ministers and Lay Ministers. 

In the UCC, musicians have previously had four levels of involvement: volunteer, fee for service, contract, and part time/fulltime employment. Now an further three options have been developed with increasing pastoral, liturgical and educative responsibilities attached.

This reform is as a result of a decade of work by support body Music United, and its predecessor, in the United Church of Canada.

Printed on the brochure outlining the reforms, is this wonderful statement of affirmation: 

The Music of Worship 

Music is not inserted into worship; 

rather worship is inherently musical. 

We are a singing people. 

How we sing together 

and what we sing together 

reflects our faith, 

our church, 

our union with fragile creation, 

our thoughts and our feelings about one another, 

and our attitudes toward all humanity.

Adapted from 'A Theological Statement of Music in the United Church of Canada' (July 2008)

Find out more about the new ministry structure here Making Music Together Brochure

What do you think?
Make your views on our poll, or by adding your comment here.

Music Director Wanted

Western Heights Uniting Church (Victoria, Australia) is hunting for a new Music Director. The position is for 9hrs per week in a congregation of "all ages". It involves taking primary responsibility for making sure that music presented on a Sunday morning is of good quality (ie practice/develop/nurture musicians & singers). To find out more phone the church office (03) 5229 2681.