WARM-UPS FOR YOUR INSTRUMENTAL GROUP – PART 1 – WHY? Jeff Cranfill How does your usual day begin – I mean what are the first things you do? Perhaps it goes something like this – you open your eyes, jump to your feet and run 5 miles. As difficult, harmful, and crazy as that seems, […]
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ORCHESTRAS IN CHURCH MINISTRY TODAY From time to time I get involved in conversations about orchestras playing in worship services. Musical instruments are included as part of the worship services in many churches in many parts of the world, as they have been for decades. There are some people in these conversations who question if […]
Experience can be bad and good… In churches today, what a person experiences is being equated with scripture. The emotions we feel are very real, and can make our experiences seem more “real” than truth we know and read from God’s Holy word. A person doesn’t need to have an emotional buzz to worship. Emotion […]
Sunday worship in orchestra Getting one’s heart ready for worship is a focus of mine on Saturdays. Whatever else I do, I am thinking and looking and praying ahead about services tomorrow. I set me heart to give to God the worship He deserves. I also try to make sure I get to bed at […]
Playing Difficult Orchestrations One of the greatest challenges facing church instrumental groups today is learning and playing difficult or poorly written music. In particular, accompaniments to some choir pieces may be beyond the abilty of some of our players. Some charts are written for professional players to record, not for volunteers players to play in […]
EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT INSTRUMENTAL REHEARSALS. Part 1 – Preparation Skillful Playing is Biblical! Sing to Him a new song Play skillfully with a shout of joy. Psalm 33:3 Clearly, we all have our limitations as musicians. We also know that our God deserves better than the best we could ever present to Him. As we […]
EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT INSTRUMENTAL REHEARSALS. Part 2 Conducting This is a most comprehensive subject. Books have been written and cannot cover every aspect. This discussion will just target some essentials of clear conducting. For effective large ensemble performance, players must watch the conductor – every few measures, and at key moments. The conductor must be […]
Ideas on Worship for Instrumentalists Of all we do as instrumentalists, our highest calling is to give to God the worship He is due. As we play, there are many aspects of performance that command our attention. If we are not careful, worship can be crowded out of our heart. We can be so focused […]
Foundations of Ministry in Orchestra Tens of thousands of people in the United States play their instruments in ministry. When posed the question, there would certainly be a great variety of reasons or motivations for why they play. We need to know God’s will as given in His perfect word, and then we need to […]
Blessings and Benefits of Ministry in Orchestra Some time ago I did some brainstorming on the subject of motivating orchestra players. These points came to mind fairly quickly, and are great reminders why it is wonderful to play in a church orchestra ministry. We all need a clear perspective from time to time. Read them […]
