This week's Music Notes

Music Notes

Sept. 18th, 2018

From the Podium

Last week I wrote an article about the need to think about growing our numbers. The easy answer to this lies in recruitment, but that's sort of like saying, "Oh, to be a millionaire is simple. First, just get a million dollars." It's a term that on its face sounds simple, but is actually a little more complicated. Recruitment is about sales. I admit that I'm not the best salesperson in the world, but I have picked up a few things over the course of many years of being involved with church music. So, this week and next I'm going to talk a little about what it takes to be an effective recruiter.

First of all, you have to know the product. We know what we want people to do - join one of our choirs. But the more important question, especially to them, is why they should join. To answer that question, you have to first ask it of yourself: Why are you participating in choir? What is it that you receive from it? Is it because you enjoy singing? Is it because you enjoy the camaraderie that comes from being in a choir? Is it because you like the challenge of learning new and various pieces of music? Is it a fun diversion from everyday life? Is it some of all of those things, or something completely different? Only you can answer that.

The important thing to do is to go through the self-examination process. Only then can you speak to someone else and give them a concrete reason to join us. People are hesitant to jump into something that is brand new or that is different than their normal routine. They will need some strong data about the potential benefits that they will receive before they commit to trying it out.

So I invite you this week to take a few minutes and think about why you are in choir, then to think about who you believe might receive some benefits from it. Next week I'll talk about countering some objections.

Chancel and Worship Choirs

Chancel Choir - The men of the choir will be off this week. We will be celebrating the important work of the UMW with a dedicated ladies' choir. Ladies, we need you! You do not have to be a member of a UMW circle to participate. Also, if you are reading this and are not a member of the Chancel Choir, you are welcome as well. Hannah Berkley will be leading you. Rehearsal will be Sunday morning at 10:15 in the choir room. Help spread the word so that we have a full choir loft.

Worship Choir - You are singing this Sunday. Originally the Youth Choir was going to be singing, but we had to change our schedule a bit. I'll see you Sunday at 8:00.

Chancel Choir - We are into the Christmas music season, so that means we will be working on Sunday anthems on Tuesday nights from 6:30 to about 7:05 or so, then will transition into Christmas music for the remainder of our rehearsal. We are going to need a lot of voices for this one, so help spread the word that it's not too late to join us for Christmas music.

Youth Choir

Thanks to Beth Coleman for helping out with dinner last Sunday night.
You may have seen on our schedule that we are singing this Sunday at the 8:45 service. That is no longer true. The schedule had to change a little bit, so we will NOT be singing this Sunday in worship. We will, however, have our normal 4:00 rehearsal.
Here's an early heads-up: Hold Sunday, November 18th open. That is the day that the Shoppes of Concord will be held, and will be a great chance for us to raise some funds for choir tour. Stay tuned for more details.
I mentioned that all members of the Youth Choir are welcome to join the adult choirs, but are especially welcome to join the Chancel Choir for their Christmas cantata on Dec. 2nd. For that matter, parents are more than welcome to join us as well. We rehearse Christmas music on Tuesday nights at around 7:05.

Other Musical Ensembles

Concord Bells - We'll have our regular rehearsal this Sunday night, although we may be short a couple of people. We have one more rehearsal before we play on the 30th.

New Handbell Choir - We are back in action this Thursday! A very special thanks for helping me make a teaching video. It appears that I've been selected to be a music theory instructor, and will be going to Cincinnati in November for training and such.

Concord Men's Ensemble - We are rehearsing this Sunday evening at 6:00 in the choir room, and are on track to sing at the early traditional service on March 30th. I have spoken to the brass choir and they should be joining us as well as a few bell ringers. It should be an exciting Sunday morning. We'll be singing "A Jubilant Song". This week's rehearsal will primarily be making sure we're comfortable with that song.

"From Earth to Heaven": https://www.jwpepper.com/sheet-music/media-player.jsp?&type=audio&productID=10907641

"A Jubilant Song": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBd_EHXBoDE

(this is an SATB arrangement but will give you an idea of how the song sounds)

Looking Ahead

Tuesday, Sept. 18th

6:30 - Chancel Choir rehearsal

Thursday, Sept. 20th

6:00 - New Handbell Choir rehearsal

Sunday, Sept. 23rd

8:45 - Worship Choir - TBD

11:00 - Ladies Ensemble for UMW Sunday

4:00 - Youth Choir rehearsal

6:00 - Concord Men's Ensemble

7:00 - Concord Bells rehearsal

Tuesday, Sept. 25th

6:30 - Chancel Choir rehearsal

Thursday, Sept. 27th

6:00 - New Handbell Choir rehearsal

Sunday, Sept. 30th

8:45 - Concord Men's Ensemble - "A Jubilant Song"

Concord Bells - "Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken"

11:00 - Choristers Choir; Concord Bells - "Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken"

Tuesday, Oct. 2nd

6:30 - Chancel Choir rehearsal

Thursday, Oct. 4th

6:00 - New Handbell Choir rehearsal (we really need to name ourselves)

Sunday, Oct. 7th

8:45 - Worship Choir - TBD

11:00 - Chancel Choir - "Behold, How Good"

4:00 - Youth Choir Rehearsal

6:00 - Concord Men's Ensemble Rehearsal

7:00 - Concord Bells Rehearsal

Prayer Concerns and Celebrations

Christopher De Tar's birthday is today, Sept. 19th.

Mike Stallings

mike@concordumc.com

mikestallings@charter.net

(865) 966-6728 (o.)

(865) 719-3469 (c.)