Yesterday I was once again rejoicing at the privilege and honor of working with such a great group of musicians to help lead our church in worship each week. As I listened to our people play, I was reminded (this happens with great frequency) how well they play. What a wonderful thing it is to have an orchestra in the worship service. There is no match for the power and beauty of a live orchestra in worship. It was, after all God’s idea (Psalm 150, Psalm 33:3, etc). The organism that is a church orchestra is a wonderful way for player to use their skills to obey God’s command to worship Him – He is the ONLY one who is worthy!
The power ad beauty of live orchestra
September 6th, 2010new music…again
August 24th, 2010Jeffcmusic.com has been recently updated with 2 new pieces for church orchestra – Rejoice, The Lord Is King, and in my 9 plus Series – The Glories Of Our God And King. I always try to keep changing up styles and musical expectations. It is always a joy to hear a new piece played by real players! Check them out in the catalog with audio. And now…on to the next chart!
New title…
July 18th, 2010i am finished with the latest in the 9 Plus Series – The Glories Of Our God And King ( O For A Thousand Tongues). It is a most triumphant setting – and a good way to teach that hymn to your players. I want for my sons to know great songs of the Faith – both old and new. I’ll list it on my site in August.
orchestra celebration!
July 18th, 2010This year marks the 40th anniversay of the orchestra ministry at First Baptist Church Atlanta. This week is our banquet. THis morning, I just kind of listened as the music was going on, ad I noticed once again how great our folks are – and what a joy it is to have the calling from God to minister with our orchestra.it is difficult here on earth to fully grasp the importance of giving God His praise -but we’ll understand it all in heaven.
THank you God for your works here!
writing orchestrations
June 7th, 2010Now that Fairest Lord Jesus is done and edits are done (or close), I have other writing jobs. Right now, I’m orchestrating some congregational medleys that were previously rhythm section only. I hate to have great players just sitting there in our orchestra – so I write whatever parts I can. Hopefully they’ll fit, and be challenging but playable. One way to keep good players coming back is if they have plenty of good parts to play -they’re not just sitting around. I also fill in clarinet parts on certain arrangements… and harp parts, or whatever may be missing. It sure can be a learning experience to see how other writers do what they do.
Sunday worship
May 23rd, 2010Today our orchestra played “His Eye Is On The Sparrow” – a Cranfill arrangement (amazingly enough). It was a real time of worship for me – and the orchestra sounded great! When I remeber who Jesus is, and what His word promises, how can I worry? I rejoice is his Person, Provision, and Protection. I hope your day was great as well.
Tomorrow – I’m re-working the last verse of “Fairest Lord Jesus” – plan A didn’t work. It should be done soon – hopefully!
Writing process
May 14th, 2010Fairest Lord Jesus is getting close to ready. It’s really a fascinating process – I have been wrestling with intro, ending, and modulations. I’ve trialed and errored several versions, but I’m still not happy with one spot. Last night, while loading bikes onto the van rack, an idea popped into my head, which I am excited to see if that will do it. God is the supplier of musical ideas and the un-sticker of stuck imaginations. Hopefully we’ll read it Wednesday night in rehearsal and it will be on my site soon after that.
working on…
April 30th, 2010While I’m doing yard work, I have “Fairest Lord Jesus” running through my head. It’s the next pieces I’m working on. Arranging is a fun process ot me – I have the intro and first verse -we’ll see what comes next…
The journey begins!
April 30th, 2010This is my first leap into the blogosphere. I’m really excited to talk about the orchesta music ministry world. I’ve just updated my web site with several originals for orchestra, and several Incidental pieces that I’ve composed for events over the last 10 years or so. I’ll add more as time goes on. Check them out (Catalog wth audio) and let me know what you think.