Happy New Year

Wow! 2010 was a year full of some losses, but many blessings for our church.  We started the year by losing Mrs. Mary Robinson to Heaven in January and ended the year with Mr. Robert Peters going to Heaven in December.  Our dear friend, Mrs. Connie Engelman went to Heaven after a battle with cancer.  Many have been sick, there have been surgeries, hospice care, emergency rooms, and near-death situations.  I have to say that throught all of this the atmosphere of our church has been positive and happy.
With my musician's personality, I have always focused on being accurate, to the point, and in sync with the music and director.  Sometimes this left no room for understanding, mercy or tolerance toward those without my exacting point of view.  I am not saying that I have decided to drop my standards, but I have decided to be happy and flexible when things aren't perfect or don't go exactly the way I plan or when people don't understand my way of thinking.
When choosing music to sing or play, the difficulty level of a song, performance presence, or the heavy-duty message of a song can overshadow the effect of the song.  Shouldn't the primary sounds a church member hears and the lasting memory of a service be one that is light-hearted and full of hope?  It shouldn't be, "Did you hear the technique of that musician?  I don't remember the song, but she sure held that high note longer than..."  I decided I don't want to choose a droll or unknown tune just because it shows off my technique or gives a "wow" factor.
When saying "Happy New Year", let's take it to heart.  Let's try to make those around us happier, let's make our loved ones happier,  let's leave people we meet out soul winning happier, let's leave our students happier in the classroom.
I'm all for a meaningful, spiritual, contributing, sacrificial life, but we must try to wrap our lives in a cheerful package of happiness. A series of happy days will lead to having an overall happy life in the service of our Lord Jesus Christ.
II Chronicles 9: ³And when the queen of Sheba had seen 
the wisdom of Solomon, and the house that he had built, 
⁴And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, 
and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel; 
his cupbearers also, and their apparel; and his ascent 
by which he went up into the house of the LORD; 
there was no more spirit in her. 
⁵And she said to the king, It was a true report 
which I heard in mine own land of thine acts, 
and of thy wisdom: ⁶Howbeit I believed not their words,
until I came, and mine eyes had seen it:
and, behold, the one half of the greatness 
of thy wisdom was not told me: 
for thou exceedest the fame that I heard. 
⁷Happy are thy men, and 
happy are these thy servants, 
which stand continually before thee, 
and hear thy wisdom. 
⁸Blessed be the LORD thy God, 
which delighted in thee to set thee on his throne, 
to be king for the LORD thy God: 
because thy God loved Israel, 
to establish them for ever, 
therefore made he thee king over them, 
to do judgment and justice. 

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!

After Homecoming Revival

It's been a week since our LBT Homecoming Revival began.  We looked forward to it, enjoyed every minute of it, and now we are still seeing and feeling the results of it.  As you can see, Bro. Wells and Oscar had an effect on Alyssa - she's been practicing telling Bible stories without moving her lips.  She has her eye on a puppet at Mardel's.  

The music department ended up doing over 40 specials throughout the week!  I am always amazed at the dedication and willingness of our LBT church musicians.  We had a different color scheme for each day, so that singers in multiple groups would still coordinate.  Three different choirs sang - the adult choir and orchestra, the all men's choir, and the teen choir.  Our grade school and jr./sr/ high pianists played during the dinner hour on Tuesday and the college musicians played on Wednesday evening.  Pastor led the singing!

Being just a part of so great a meeting was a privilege.  The preaching dominated the week and the invitations were the highlight of each service.  I couldn't wait to see how the Lord worked in lives, including mine.  

My mind is already thinking about great songs for next year!  Since we have an idea about what revival is all about we will be more excited as we prepare.  This week four people have let me know that they would love to join the special music ministry!  Praise the Lord for that!

Here's a photo of the Men of Victory quartet practicing on a Saturday evening for the Homecoming revival.  Bro. B.J. Benton, Bro. Travis Smith, Bro. Terry Thompson, and Bro. Pete Londeau (on cell phone, out of town!).  These men have been in the LBT music ministry for a combined total of 100 years!

Are you a Believer?

I have had the privilege of teaching some wonderful Christian young people in the past years.  This semester is no exception.  The Texas Baptist College freshmen class is one of the best groups of young people I've ever met.  We've only had a few weeks together in music practices and classes and the bond of fellowship is already there.  Two new groups have learned five songs in just three rehearsals. Wow!  I can't believe it, I'm very joyful about their enthusiasm, but I'm more amazed at what God can do when we yield our time, spirits, and talent to His will.
Today during a piano lesson, I noticed my student's keychain.  It said "Believe", that is her "word".  Mine is "hope".  "Believe" is a great word for anyone setting out to do something great for God and I thought today that we all need that in every ministry when we want to accomplish something eternal.
I read this morning that "the just shall live by faith", Galations 3:11.  Each time, musician, that you go to practice with a music group, choir, teach a lesson, or choose a song, you are exercising faith.  You have to "believe to see".  There is no guarantee that any of your labor will turn out, but you must BELIEVE.
Humanly speaking, with all of the obstacles, human failures, schedule changes, and attitudes that need adjusting there could be little or no music made in our churches.  But when we, by faith and belief, are faithful to take the steps day by day, then God does a miraculous work - He responds to our faith and trust in Him.
I am believing, by faith, that God will give our church musicians the strength, concentration, health, and ability to sing over forty specials for our Homecoming Revival coming up in October.  If you think about it, it is a daunting task.  But, we haven't crossed our eyes, sighed, or dreaded the challenge, we are excited and know that we need to BELIEVE and exercise our faith, God will do the rest and will bless beyond our expectations.
Are you a Believer?

"The Domino Effect"

We have often heard and spoken of the value of just one soul.   That's what our focus as a Christian should be - to reach just one more soul.  This morning John and Amy Robinson sang a beautiful song - "Reach Just One More Soul", written by Amy.  It hit the mark as does all of the songs that they write and sing together.
You can also use this point of view in the your music ministry - each soul that you have the honor to work with is so valuable.  If you take just one person out of your music ministry for one weekend it can change the whole program and your options.  Three weeks ago Travis and Ruth Smith were on vacation. What did that mean?  It meant that the Men of Victory Quartet could not sing and that we would need another song leader for the auditorium Sunday School class.  If I would have wanted to schedule Voice of Triumph Ensemble or the Faith Trio, that would not have worked.  This is all because one family was out of town.  The same thing can happen on any given week with any given musician out of town - that is the domino effect.
The music ministry is unlike the Sunday school and bus ministry, where workers can be replaced at the last minute or the assistant teacher or bus captain can step into a position.  Musicians work together and have to practice a song for hours before they can be ready.  So when one is out or sick, the group is usually not functional.
I have learned the value of one musician when four families are out of town and the second solo spot needs to be filled.  When I call the "one" and they agree to sing, I am grateful and know their value - irreplaceable!
When scheduling, dealing with people, and choosing music for musicians treat each one with special value.  Pray for each musician every week and express your gratitude regularly.  Birthday cards, thank you notes, and letters are thoughtful ways to make each person feel that they are valued.
When I think of musicians that have come through our church, I hope that they have fond memories of participating in the music ministry of the Longview Baptist Temple.  I also hope that every one that is currently involved in special music knows that they are special and are doing a great work.
Recognize the value of "one" and God will take care of the big picture!

"Back to Basics"

It's good to remember where you came from.  I remember being a new church pianist and having the music director look at me and say, "What key are you in?"  I looked back and said "What?"  He said, "What KEY are you in? You know, how many flats or sharps at the beginning?"  I just counted and said "4 flats."  That was the extent of my knowledge of key signatures.  I remember watching someone play a V7 chord arpeggio as an introduction, then going home and practicing.  I knew it sounded good, but I didn't know what it was.
It's easy for me to assume that every piano student had a theory book.  Not only did they have a theory book, they did the lessons.  Not only did they do the lessons, they understood them.  Not only did they understand them, they remembered them.  Not only did they remember them, they applied them...NOT!
Sorry to be a little worldly there...Theory is like any other skill, you have to do it, use it, repeat it, etc...to remember it and learn it.
I recently had a church pianist ask me a question and I sent her the following as a starter lesson.  I wish someone would have sat me down, looked me in they eye, and explained things to me when I was just starting as a church pianist.

1.  Every key has seven tones - tone 1 = tonic, tone 4 = subdominant, tone 5 = dominant.  In English - C major scale, tone 1 is C, Tone 4 is F, Tone 5 is G.  The most predominant tone/chord in the key of C is the 1, which is C.  The second most predominant tone/chord in the key of C is the 5, which is G.  The third most predominant tone/chord in the key of C is the 4, which is F.
2.  If you notice while your playing hymns, you are basically only playing three chords for each hymn.  You are playing the 1, 4, and 5 chord.  That is why you can almost go into autopilot with your left hand because you will play mostly chord 1, then chord 5, then chord 4.
3.  Keys:  Most popular for church pianists...
Key of C - primary chords - C-F-G  (G7 to go into C)
Key of G - primary chords - G-C-D (D7 to go into G)
Key of D - primary chords - D-G-A (A7 to go into D)
Key of F - primary chords - F-Bb-C  (C7 to go into F)
Key of Bb - primary chords - Bb-Eb-F  (F7 to go into Bb)
Key of Eb - primary chords - Eb-Ab-Bb   (Bb7 to go into Eb)
Key of Ab - primary chords - Ab-Db-Eb  (Eb7 to go into Ab)

The last listed for each key above is the 5 chord.  We usually use Roman numerals, but it means the same thing.
3.  The modulating chord to get to a key is the 5, with a seventh added to it, just count up seven notes from the 5,  or count back one from the 5


Part 2 coming...

Have Fun While You Serve

Today is Sunday, July 4, 2010.  Maybe you thought, "What a drag, having church on the Fourth of July holiday." I honestly can say that today was an enjoyable day.  The preaching was a blessing and the atmosphere was one of thankfulness and just being happy to be an American.  I didn't have to sit outdoors swatting flies or mosquitoes!!
Because of just finishing the Teen Convention and a change in our church meetings schedule we haven't quite got our rehearsals back into the normal routine. Add vacations, sickness, and one musician called in to nursing duty and that can also cause a challenge.  In spite of these "setbacks" God blessed today and I honestly can say that I enjoyed being at church.
Was everything perfect?  Well, I don't believe so, but I do believe we did our absolute best for our Lord and that the result fit into the entire scheme of His will.
I had originally planned for the Joy Trio and Daughters to sing "Red, White, and Blue", but oral surgery of one singer prevented that plan.  Then our Strength and Beauty Ensemble was supposed to do a new patriotic song, but a deacon's meeting and a busy teen convention schedule derailed that one.   My daughter, Victoria, has been out of the special music mode for several weeks due to being a new mother and was feeling good enough this weekend to practice and sing, so I said, "Praise the Lord, let's sing on Sunday morning!"  Chandler Tolley sang a beautiful solo, as planned - "It's Time to Pray".  The Men of Victory Quartet was ready for Sunday night but our tenor was called in to work at the last minute and our men's quartet became a mixed quartet when Mrs. Sandy Londeau filled in!
I had the privilege of playing a piano trio with Amy Robinson and Nicole Koehn.  We played "Stars and Stripes Forever" and I had a great time, even though I was sitting in the middle and the skinny person should be in the middle!  I didn't have a worry with those ladies on each side of me doing all of the hard stuff!
When the problems come, just take them as a challenge, do what you can with what you have, and leave the work in the Lord's hands.  You'll have fun while you serve!