Holiday Cheer, Part 2

And now, the conclusion of Everett’s Top 10

5. I’ll be home for Christmas

In a time when so many servicemen and women are not able to celebrate Christmas with their loved ones, I feel it’s necessary to include this one on my list. It really speaks volumes about how cherished family time is, especially at this time of year.

4. Silent Night / First Noel

I know, I know. I cheated last time, and I’m cheating this time, including two songs under one line item. These are both such classics in terms of words and melody that I can’t bear to exclude one or the other. Of course, the first half of my list included mostly modern songs. With this pair of songs I am headed back a century. Both of these date back to the mid nineteenth century. While Stille Nacht has a composer that we know (Gruber), the First Noel has a more indeterminate history. We don’t really know who wrote the music, although we can trace it back to some songbooks from Great Britain in the 19th century.

3. Messiah

For those of you well acquainted with Handel’s Messiah, you will not question its inclusion here. If you don’t know it well or have never sung it, it is well worth it. It’s been reported that a number of poets have learned Italian simply to be able to read Dante’s Divine Comedy. I would say that a musical analogy, at least to sacred vocal music, would be that it would be worth learning to read music if only to be able to sing Handel’s Messiah. There are so many scriptures that I have memorized simply because I have sung the Messiah so many times. And while I’ve sung the Hallelujah chorus too many times for it to hold much of a special musical draw for me, there are so many other great arias and choruses… Thou wilt not leave his soul in hell, I know that my Redeemer liveth, Surely He hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows… And many, many more!

2. O Holy Night

Originally set to a French poem (Placide Cappeau) by the composer of French operas, Adolphe Adam, this is one of the most vocally rewarding of Christmas carols to sing. Maybe the fact that an opera composer wrote it has something to do with that. I mean, really, when it comes down to it, it’s an opera aria. So for those of you who say you don’t like opera, if you like this song, then you might want to give opera a chance. A special note regarding the lyrics: our well known English version differs significantly from the French in numerous respects. But just to iterate one of the key differences, instead of “O Night, Divine, O Holy Night” at the end, the French translates to “Christmas, Christmas, here is the Redeemer,” a much more fitting emphasis, to my understanding.

1. And finally, my favorite Christmas carol is . . . drum roll please . . . Adventi ének. I mentioned this in a Notes post back in 2007. And while I’m sure you don’t recognize it from this title. My favorite arrangement of this song is by the Hungarian composer Zoltán Kodály. And you can view it here, courtesy of YouTube. The tune dates back hundreds of years and has a storied past. Please click on one of the links and give it a listen, if you are interested in finding out my favorite Christmas carol of all time.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Christmas Music Ramblings

So it’s Christmas time! Everybody’s at the mall. Those of us that have snow to play in are playing in it (or dreading shoveling it). This is the time of year when everybody’s happy all the time (except while driving). But what marks this season more than anything else for me is when the Christmas music begins to be played everywhere; in the mall, on the radio, in CD players all over the world and in churches all over the world. There is no doubt what season this is.

So I would like to simply mention a couple CDs and songs that I like and maybe you guys could mention some to me.

The first song I’d like to mention is “Happy Xmas” by John Lennon. Yes, I used the term Xmas and yes, I said John Lennon. I’m not saying I’m a John Lennon fan, but there’s just something about this particular song that causes me to put that baby on repeat. Maybe it’s the children from the Harlem Community Choir that give the song its appeal. Perhaps it’s the lyrics that promote peace on earth. After all, who wants to think about war, fighting and killing while we celebrate the birth of Christ? As for the Xmas part; “X” is simply an abbreviation for the word Christ in Greek, people have been using it for over 1,000 years and Christ is still in Christmas people. Besides, with this economy Christ may be the only thing some of us will be receiving this holiday season, and I say that sincerely.

Of course, everybody likes the Trans Siberian Orchestra’s “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24.” That’s a great twist on a seasonal song. It’s not exactly what one has in mind when you think of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” and “Carol of the Bells.” I love this song and I’m not one that gets into a lot of heavy guitar stuff.

An album that I think is great is Emmanuel by Norman Hutchins that features several other artists. We are actually using 2 of the songs for our Christmas service this year. They put a twist on quite a few traditional Christmas songs that could help you have a “churchy” Christmas if you like.

And finally, an album that is not so new, but I enjoy listening to even now is Israel Houghton’s A Timeless Christmas. This upbeat Christmas CD keeps me bobbing my head in the car, in the music room at the church, and even right now while I’m typing this. And if that doesn’t sound like a testimonial on a commercial, I don’t know what does. They should be paying me for this free advertisement. Ha ha ha ha.

Merry Christmas and God Bless!
P.S. Don’t forget to show your families how much you love and appreciate them.

Holiday Cheer, Part 1

I think I’ve mentioned I’m not much one for Christmas carols. But then again, who doesn’t love a bit of Schadenfreude. Few things make me happier than playing Christmas carols on my iPod before Thanksgiving in the presence of someone who likes Christmas carols less than I do.

So, from a guy who doesn’t care all that much for Christmas carols, here is the first half of my “Top 10 Favorite Christmas Music.” I hope to publish an ad hoc post before 12/25 for the other half of the list.

10. Let It Snow / Winter Wonderland / White Christmas

Okay. I guess this is cheating just a little bit. I named three carols here instead of picking just one because they all revolve around the same kind of thing: snow and cold. Snow, mostly, I guess. White Christmas is justly famous. Its inherent lyric romanticism can’t be beat. The resounding and buoyant joy of the other two always gets my toes a’ tappin’. And I love to bring a little Schadenfreude by singing them randomly to people who like snow less than I do. Especially when it’s snowing.

9. Nutcracker

For this first half of my list, the only thing composed before 1900 is this piece by Peter Tchaikovsky. It’s really a brilliant composition. What’s not to love about the music of the Nutcracker ballet? I like the ballet, too, of course, but it’s the music that I encounter year after year and I do not seem to easily tire of.

8. Linus & Lucy

Please don’t be irritated with me for having such irreligious compositions in my list. I just love this tune. There’s nothing Christmas about it. It was popularized in A Charlie Brown Christmas, but then again, it’s more of a Charlie Brown song than anything.

7. Christmas Song

“Chestnuts roasting o’er an open fire.” It doesn’t get much more Christmas-y than that! Well. Maybe except for the following tune. Then again, I am not talking about traditional carols here. All of the tunes in this first half of my top 10 don’t really have much to do with Christmas, per se. Christmas isn’t about the music, or the presents, or the decorations. It isn’t about the food, getting the house ready for guests or even the precious moments of family time that we are privileged to share.

6. Sleigh Ride

I have to confess, I did not grow up with this song. It’s one that came into my life around the same time as my wife. She is a big fan of this style of old-time Christmas song done in an era gone by (think: Johnny Mathis). It did not take long to sway me. I am convinced, the Johnny Mathis version of this song is simply the best.

For those of you who may be wondering, in the second half of my list, in addition to the much older median age of the musical composition, there is a much greater spiritual emphasis in the lyrics.

Change: Not Always a Good Thing

I was at a loss of things to write about, so I began recalling some musically relevant things I’ve experienced. The only thing I can think of right now is the various age limits we place on involvement in our music departments. Some time ago, I was faced with the dilemma of not having enough “solid” singers on the praise team. I knew that I had some children that were 11 and 12 that were able to sing and even harmonize as well as any adult.

What do you think I did?

Well, with my pastor’s permission, I removed the age requirement (15 years old) for being on the praise team. This requirement was in place long before my arrival, but no one seemed to have a problem with the fresh new faces on the praise team. Of course I was totally fair about this and allowed anyone who was interested in singing to audition. Some did not make the cut and only a few did. The result was the same as with adults; there were hints of jealousy and resentment from several that did not make the cut, but we were able to talk through everything and move on.

About six months into everything, a visiting elder asked if there was no children’s choir. The pastor said there was. The elder asked why there were children singing on the praise team if they had a choir to sing in. The pastor explained the need for skilled singers and the elder responded by saying this decision may not send the right kind of message. The pastor and I took these thoughts into careful consideration. But we continued with the younger singers on the praise team. A few months later, an issue came up that brought attention to the fact that certain people were under the age of 15 and this led to the reinstatement of the 15 year old age requirement.

The worst part about the whole situation was telling the children they could not be on the praise team. But the children seemed to have no problem with that as they were beginning to feel the pressure of being depended upon like an adult. These children were on time for rehearsals, behaved in practice, and held their own while singing with their parents and other adults. It’s a shame, but I had less disciplinary problems from them than some of the twenty-somethings.

Some of the children’s parents were the ones who had the biggest bone to pick with me. And I could understand the anger; we gave their children something and took it away. But with the pastor’s support, we were able to put that fire out.

Looking back, I learned that maybe it isn’t the best thing to use children until they are a certain age. The level of responsibility placed on someone on a praise team can be taxing to young children. There are even times when practices become uncomfortable because you can’t teach young children the same as adults. You just have to work with what you have. We should be very careful that we try not to change things on impulse as we might find out later, the need probably wasn’t as urgent as it seemed. You have to consider ALL the people affected by your decisions. If we were not so fortunate in this situation, we could have lost people in that local assembly over someone singing 2 times a month. All I have left to say is be careful out there people. PLEASE be careful.
God Bless!

Sacred vs. Secular

This is Shyla Salmon posting for Ann Ahrens who apparently has "nothing to say" today. Of course I don't believe her claim, but I'm here nonetheless.
She instructed me to write something, anything about music. So, that's what i'll do.

Recently, I have been becoming increasingly aware of the subconscious tendency I have to categorize music under two categories: Christian and Non-Christian. I have also become aware of how faulty this is.
Has the song itself been converted to Christianity? When did any four piece minute of music decide to follow Christ and begin to manifest the fruits of the spirit?
I know there are times when i'm strolling down the grocery store aisle and hear a song that has words like "God", or "hallelujah" and immediately proclaim with joy: "This song MUST be Christian". As if, on an imaginary scoreboard I am tallying "1 for the Christians, 0 for Non-christians"
But isn't music God's? Isn't He the ultimate reference point for all things? Don't get me wrong.
Of course there is music that is filled with vulgarity and references to things that do not bring God glory. With every gift there are boundaries, everything can be perverted-But that is the true test: Does it glorify the God of the universe, or does it defame Him?
The questions we should be asking ourselves should be more like: Does what I am listening to draw me to Christ? Does it stir up a deep awe and reverence of Him in my soul?
Of course, what stirs my affections for Jesus, may actually rob yours.
For example, Beyonce's new hit single "Smash Into You" and Coldplay's "Fix You" are both songs that cause me to weep in remembrance of my experiences with the Lord, even though the writers of these songs may have not penned it about Jesus. And recently, at a Mutemath concert during their song "Obsession" I was moved to worship (I worshipped Jesus, not the strikingly talented, goodlooking lead singer). I understand that not every Christian worships the Lord to Beyonce, but you get my drift.
In any case, I believe it is important for us to rid ourselves of automatic stereotyping that may or may not be subconscious. I wonder if we were more concerned about encouraging the glorification of God through music, than condemning it to Hell, maybe through unexpected avenues we would see Jesus more clearly and love Him more dearly.


What I'm listening to: Brand New's newest album Daisy, and Switchfoot's Hello Hurricane
What I'm reading: Turning Points by Mark Noll

This is Shyla Salmon, signing off
Stop by my blog www.shylasal.wordpress.com if you get the chance :)

Make a joyful noise

“You did what? You didn’t. You didn’t seriously kick him out of the choir, did you?”

“No way. Get out! I can’t believe you did that. What did you say? What did he say?”

“No… You didn’t say that, really. Tell me you didn’t just say that there was no way that he was ever going to be able to carry a tune.”

. . .

I really have a hard time with this one. On the one hand I do not feel that there is EVER an excuse to disallow someone from singing unto the LORD. I don’t think God is pleased when we hold our music to such a standard where it is not something where anyone can participate. I don’t just mean congregational singing. I mean in the spotlight. On the stage. In front of God and every one.

“But Everett, you can’t mean to tell me that you’re going to let someone who is extremely tonally challenged sing a special!”

Um… well… I think I would. It would be painful to me. It would probably be painful to a number of other people. But I would test the spirit. I wouldn’t let the lack of musicality diminish the person’s heartfelt song unto the LORD.

Perhaps God is more pleased with the sincere special sung by the tonally challenged than some of my efforts, which, although perhaps containing more talent, contains less sincerity. I will admit with a high degree of shame that I have gotten up to sing a special with little or no preparation, and with little or no anointing. And that I have witnessed some with much less musicality offer much more sincere worship unto the LORD.

I do think we should be prepared. And we absolutely need the LORD’s anointing. And we need to practice. We need to make a sound that is not only joyful, but also pleasing to the ear, ours, the congregations’ and the LORD’s. But face it. You will always have the tonally challenged among you. Let them sing in the masse choir. You don’t have to let them sing in your “audition-only ensemble.” You don’t have to let them sing a special. At least, not more than once. However, if their worship outshines that of any of the more practiced among you, let it be a lesson in humility for those with the trained ear. Let it be a lesson in God’s grace that any one of us can lift up our voice in song. After all. It is His hand that created each one of us. Let us glory in the off key singing. Let us revel in the simple fact that we are His creation.

Give Me Some Breathing Room

“My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing and make music with all my soul.” Psalm 108:1

College story. It was a long ensemble trip. A crowded van. A lot of bodies in a little space. One guy got tired of being crammed against so many other people and needed an escape. His way of dealing was to pull out his headphones and visit what he called his “bigger, free environment.”

I use that trick on a daily basis. In our floundering economy, I consider myself blessed to have a steady government job with lots of benefits and paid holidays. But that doesn’t make the eight hours pass any quicker.

In my small, windowless office, I sometimes feel like my soul is suffocating. It needs to sing. So I grab my iPod, a stack of papers, and head to the filing room. While I sort away the alphabetized records, I sing along, shuffle my feet, and let my soul breathe for awhile.

Music has that magical ability to transport us out of our claustrophobic lives into a bigger, free environment.

If we let it.

Sometimes it takes a conscious choice to hear the melody over the ringing cell phones, or crying babies. You don’t even need an iPod. Just flip that switch in your heart.

Why not join me today? Whether you work from home or the office, you can still take the time to make some music. On the outside, we may be sitting sedately in our desk chairs, typing away at our keyboards. But, on the inside, our souls are singing. Together we’ll form a silent choir of praise, spreading across state lines.

Well, it’s time for me to go to work. Chances are I’ll head for the file room with my iPod at some point today. I may even dance around a little. Oh man, I hope my boss isn’t reading this.