Carols, Home, Holidays, a Funeral, and a Wedding

Music is a lot like food, you don't really think about it until you're hungry or until there's a need.  Me, I think about food all the time and music is the same.  It's not an obsession, just a part of life, like breathing.
The importance of music comes to the forefront, especially at Christmas time.  The holidays just wouldn't be the same if we didn't hear Christmas carols playing throughout our churches, homes, and places of business.   Although we love the Christmas music, it is more difficult to play and requires more practice...which reminds me... So, musicians, it is just an occupational hazard, we have to play "The First Noel" in the key of D major, almost just as written because each beat will have a different chord! In addition to the regular carols we are doing a Christmas cantata, it's been twenty-five years since the last one.  The LBT choir, adult ensembles, teen choir, and drama team will be presenting "Christmas at Home" by Ron Hamilton on December 19.
Just as Christmas wouldn't be the same without the carols, our church members' funerals need a special loving touch where music is concerned.  This week, Bro. Robert Peters, one of our faithful members and deacons, passed away of natural causes.  Today I took some time to make sure all of the piano and organ music was in order and appropriate for his service.  The order of service is ready and we are flexible to meet any of the family's requests.  This service will be held on Saturday, December 4, and we musicians will do our best to be a comfort and encouragement to the family and church membership.
Our daughter, Jessica, is getting married in two weeks.  This week was dedicated to getting all of her wedding music together and finalized.  Hey, since I'm the music coordinator shouldn't this be an easy job?  No, it's been one of the most difficult parts of this wedding.  It must be because she's been at every single wedding, heard every song sung - some good, some ... well, different.  I think we finally got it down.  I will have the opportunity to be on the listening side of the wedding music and I know that jut one song change would change the wedding atmosphere.  It is so powerful.
My husband, Scott, has been remodeling our den, which has created a domino effect.  I think I have straightened, stored, and thrown away all of the "dominos" that lost their places while we de-cluttered.  The one thing that was given priority was our CD collection.  Although downloaded onto mp3 players and computers, the cds in the cases are still valuable to me.  The Christmas music is some of our most precious, it is timeless and holds many memories.
Musicians, take your vitamins.  December is a music-filled month and needs our focus, rehearsals, and undivided attention.  Well, at least we can try!

Memorial Day Weekend and other holidays

Just a reminder that Memorial Day weekend is around the corner.  Here at our church we focus on Heaven with the congregational songs and specials.  A patriotic offertory or special is also welcomed by the veterans, but July 4 is just around the corner so you may want to save those specials for then.
One of the staff men reads a listing of all of the members and loved ones of members who have passed away while we play "In the Sweet By and By" or "How Beautiful Heaven Must Be".
Fourth of July actually falls on Sunday this  year so pull out all of the stops and be ready for everything to be red, white, blue, and patriotic.  To me, we could be patriotic year around.  Patriotic songs need to be practiced and "dusted off" to be ready so it's probably time to get started!
I have posted a few patriotic songs on the "Song of the Day" blog.  I need to get busy myself!
After July 4th, it's time to start planning for Christmas, yes, it's hard to believe but you have to have it planned and look at it now and then with the groups and choir.
The main difference between "normal" service and a holiday service is the music.  We musicians have a job of setting the atmosphere with the preludes, specials, congregational songs, and offertories.  I've found that our clothing is even a part of it, since we're sitting up front most of the time!

"This is the Day!"

It is two days after Thanksgiving and we had a great week. There were around 23 - 24 people at our home for Thanksgiving dinner and we still are eating leftovers...we need to try to figure out what to make and not make so much of!

We had Alyssa's 10th Birthday party last Sunday with 30 people in attendance. It was a surprise party after church and boy was she surprised! The Lord has blessed us with faithful and wonderful friends.

On the day after Thanksgiving we always go for a family drive. This year we headed north on Hwy. 271 and ended up in Idabel, Oklahoma! We stopped at our favorite mom and pop store - Cackleberry's, and bought some little antiques and nick-nacks. We ate a late lunch and drove home in time to enjoy the evening at home. We love just have some quiet family time in the car. The girls bought new books and had some quiet reading time while we listened to Christmas CD's and talked.