Looking and Planning Ahead God is merciful in what He does not disclose concerning our future. If the news is good, our imaginations run wild and the event is a letdown. If the news is bad we battle a sense of dread. Though we do not know what awaits in the coming year, we do […]
Places to Go, People to See Or How to Get Your People to Come to Rehearsal – MUSICIANS INSTITUTE The case (As if you didn’t already know) Think back over the last week, then the last month. How crowded was your day, your week? How busy were you? The members of our groups – our […]
WARM-UPS FOR YOUR INSTRUMENTAL GROUP – PART 2 – HOW? Jeff Cranfill Using short pieces, exercises or scales is ideal for beginning a rehearsal. Before the demands of many orchestra pieces, these warm ups give the orchestra an opportunity to focus on these aspects of performance. They help set the course for how they will […]
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, […]
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 […]
