WorshipArts Jul Aug Sep 2023

A Note From the Editor

What a year! It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as your Communications and Publications Director over the past year, and I’m truly looking forward to seeing what the next year will bring. And while I’m still fairly new to The Fellowship, we can all be excited by the fact that we have members who are even newer! We have had new folks from all over the country and across the denominational and theological spectrum join us over the past year. We had members join us for the first time for our virtual events, as well as first-timers at Music & Worship Arts Week. We continue to receive new members as we head into the fall. We celebrate this, and are blessed by it! We also want to make sure we’re being attentive to it. As everyone knows, being new to something offers challenges AND opportunities. You don’t know what you’re getting yourself into, or what you’re doing...but you also don’t have preconceived notions about what to expect or how to engage. There’s nothing but room to grow. On the other side, being an established member of an organization also offers challenges AND opportunities. You know what you’re involved in, can offer guidance to new members, and have institutional memory that can help provide foundational support, direction, and resources to your community. But you may be used to things occurring in a specific way, and not be as curious about how the benefits you have access to have evolved with circumstances, technology, leadership, or organizational vision. In this way, too, there is nothing but room to grow! In this issue of WorshipArts , it is our intention to orient or reorient you to the many benefits and resources that come with being a member of The Fellowship of Worship Artists. Whether you are a new or founding member (or anything in between), we hope this issue creates a sense of excitement and renewed possibility for what our community offers you, and the ways in which you make The Fellowship what it is! Thank you for your continuing support,

July – August – September Volume 68 Number 3

WorshipArts (ISSN08915288) is a publication to the members of The Fellowship of Worship Artists. The Fellowship’s Calling We are Christians embracing God’s artistic gifts to create world-transforming worship. OurValues Worship arts that lead to spiritual growth and faith formation. Relationships that lead to hospitality, fellowship, and nurture.

Viewpoints expressed and materials included in WorshipArts are not necessarily endorsed by The Fellowship.

Rights for reprinting articles in WorshipArts are retained by the individual authors. To get in touch with them, please contact the editor.

Contributions to WorshipArts , as well as ideas, are welcome and encouraged. Materials must be submitted by the 1st, two months prior to publication date (November 1 for January - February - March issue, February 1 for April - May - June issue, May 1 for July - August - September issue, August 1 for October - November - December issue).

In This Issue:

MWAW Recap & SneakPeek pg. 6

Encounter Jesus pg. 12

Revised Common Lectionary Info pg. 18

What’s “Old” is NewAgain pg. 21

Enlivening Liturgy pg. 4

Dance Then… pg. 23

Job Listings AreBack! pg. 27

Feature Resource: Ashley Danyew pg. 28

Fall Slide Packs Available Soon pg. 30

Resources and Reviews pg. 31

with The Rev. Dr. Jacqueline Thompson & The Rev. Leigh Anne Taylor Enlivening Liturgy: How To Create and Lead Evocative and Inviting Liturgy Worship Design Discussion Group

A Member Benefit Offered Through Our Fellowship Connections Program

S

everal months ago, The Fellowship of Worship Artists launched a new initiative called Fellowship Connections. This program helps to facilitate intentional

Jacqueline has won multiple awards in public worship and scripture reading. She has also served as a member of the Iowa Annual Conference Worship Team, a member of The Fellowship’s 2017 Convocation Worship Design Team, a member of The Fellowship’s 2019 Convocation Design Team, a member of The Fellowship’s 2023 Music & Worship Arts Week Worship Team, and is currently part of the writing team for “ Memos for Preachers, ”which are published by the Iowa Conference’s Communication Ministry and appear in UMInsight . The Rev. Leigh Anne Taylor serves as the Director of Connecting Ministries for the Mountain View District of the Virginia Conference of The United Methodist Church. An ordained deacon, she practiced ministry by supporting clergy and developing disciples as a Minister of Music for many before moving to the district office in 2017. She enjoys studying and practicing spiritual disciplines and caring for the spiritual needs of the pastors and laity. Leigh Anne has attended Music & Worship Arts Week (MWAW) each year from 2000-2023. She served as MWAW Design Team Chair from 2006 - 2009, was Worship Chair for Convocation 2013 (see pg. 27), 2015 Convocation Chairperson, and served as President of The Fellowship from 2019-2021.

relationships between worship artists, and is designed to support and unite our members throughout the liturgical year. One of the three avenues that helps us achieve this goal is our Fellowship Connections Discussion Groups. A unique aspect of these Discussion Groups is that the composition of the group helps to determine its form and focus. The participants will set the schedule and establish which content is covered. This flexible approach to the group’s focus requires skilled and experienced leadership, and we are thrilled to announce that The Rev. Dr. Jacqueline (Jackie) Thompson and The Rev. Leigh Anne Taylor will be leading our upcoming group. We hope you’ll take the opportunity and sign up to learn from these gifted leaders. Discussion Leaders Jacqueline Thompson is an Elder in the Iowa Conference of The United Methodist Church. She currently pastors both Burns UMC and St John’s UMC in Des Moines, and also serves as the co-chair of the Iowa Conference Order of Elders.

Photo Credit: Daniel Craig

As we head into fall programming and approach the upcoming church year, Jackie and Leigh Anne will offer insight to help reinvigorate your worship services. Sign up by clicking here. The introductory meeting will take place September 28 th , at 7:00 p.m. EST. If you have questions, please email info@thefellowshipowa.org. Services To Get You Started As mentioned, Jacqueline Thompson served as the Worship Planner and Leader for Music & Worship Arts Week 2023, and she has given us permission to share the Orders of Worship which she prepared for each day’s services. Centered around the theme, “Life Breathes…,” the liturgies found on the following pages will be useful to you many times throughout the coming year and beyond! And if you pair these new resources with the Revised Common Lectionary that is offered by The Fellowship, you

will find yourself equipped with multiple forms of targeted worship material that align with each week’s scripture lessons and suggested hymns. You also have the option of going a step or two further and incorporating resources provided in our Fellowship Reflections emails and via our social media pages. Here, you’ll not only find resources to help you center your spirit around the week’s worship theme as you head into the weekend, but you’ll also be equipped with options that can help you fill last-minute gaps if circumstances arise that require additional material! We’re excited to offer you all of these resources in one place, and we encourage you to keep reading through this issue of WorshipArts , because we’ve just scratched the surface of all the additional resources that are at your fingertips as members of The Fellowship of Worship Artists!

Music & Worship Arts Week

& Testimony, Resources,

ASneak Peek

M

usic & Worship Arts Week (MWAW) 2023 was another huge success! New members were welcomed, old friendships renewed; some things

meaningful worship experiences that bring people into deeper relationships with God and each other…and we are blessed to walk with you as you do the same in your churches and communities every day. It is in this way that the mission, vision, and core values of The Fellowship move from statements of intent to practices with real-world impact. It would not be possible for us to help cultivate and equip these transformative experiences without the immense network of gifts, expertise, personalities, and resources that you offer to one another through our various platforms and gatherings. Providing the worship outlines from our time together at Lake Junaluska is another extension of our commitment to you and to our shared call as worship artists. Beyond the outlines, Kathy Ritchie Toole has provided beautiful testimony about the impact and inspiration that Music & Worship Arts Week offers, and then we give you a sneak peek at #MWAW2024! We hope you start planning today to join us in June!

returned to “normal,” while others settled into new rhythms. And as is always the case at MWAW, each day offered increased opportunity to grow in God’s grace and to live into the kind of fellowship that has become ingrained into who we are as a community. As participants joined together in worship throughout the week, it was evident that the Spirit was moving, and that life does indeed breathe being, praise, promise, belonging, peace, and hope (the themes for each day’s activities). The powerful aspect of these truths, however, is not just that they were experienced at Music & Worship Arts Week, but that they have been carried out into ever-expanding circles by each person who was present for our time together. Our organization and events exist to assist worship leaders in creating

Being

GATHERING

PRELUDE

1) Every Time I Feel the Spirit 2) Down by the Riverside 3) Ain’t That a Good News

arr. Marianne Kim Prelude from Spirituals for

Organ: Vibrant Settings with Jazz Spirit | Lorenz Publishing Co.

CALL TO EXHALE Breathe out … allow the Spirit of God to breathe into you. Breathe out … allow Divine Grace and Peace to breathe upon you. Breathe out … be. belong. Breathe.

PRAISE

CALL TO INHALE (based on Jeremiah 1:45) The Lord said, “Before I formed you, you knew me; Before you were born, you made me holy.” You are beloved. I am beloved. SONGS* Breathe

Steve Garnaas-Holmes Spirit of God (st. 1, 2 and 5) | Words and Music: Steve Garnaas-Holmes | Used by permission of the composer for this event | Found in TheFaith WeSing #2117.

( instrumental interlude) Spirit of God

PRAISE SENTENCES (based on Psalm 139:1-2, 13-14) Divine One, you search us and know us. You know when we exhale and when we inhale. You formed us; You knit us together in the womb of our mother. We praise you. I praise you because you breathe me into being. Life breathes … being. We are lovingly formed.

Continued on next page...

Being (pg. 2)

PROCLAMATION

A PRAYER TO EXHALE Breathe out … we pray to become witnesses to the ordering breath of the Spirit. SCRIPTURE ENACTMENT SERMON Genesis 2:6-8

RESPONSE TO THE WORD

We come to you, our Eternal Rest. You are the one who formed us; You are the one who breathed into our nostrils; You are the breath of our life. SONG*

Holy, Holy, Holy vs. 2

We bless you for this gift and for our Savior Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ name we gather. Jesus redeems us and assists in our praying,

Six services built around the theme “ Life breathes… ” are now available to all Fellowship members for use in your local churches!

Praise

GATHERING

PRELUDE

arr. Marianne Kim

The Love of God

The Love of God from Easter and After: Hymn Setting for Organ with a Jazz Spirit | Published by The Lorenz Corporation.

arr. Marianne Kim

Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise

Immortal, Invisible from Carry the Spirit: Organ Postludes with a Touch of Jazz | Published by The Lorenz Corporation.

CALL TO EXHALE (based on Isaiah 49) Breathe out bereavement, barrenness, smallness … Breathe out ruin, desolation, exile … Breathe out laboring pains …

Silence

PRAISE

CALL TO INHALE (based on Isaiah 49) Listen. Before your birth, you were called; The Lord made mention of you by name. The Breath of Heaven fills your lungs.

You are released to be held in arms and carried on shoulders; You are engraved on the palms of Divine hands. You are freed.

I amfreed.

SONG

I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry

I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry | Words and Music: John Ylvisaker | Tune: W © 1985 John Ylvisaker | Found in The Faith We Sing #2051 | Reprinted under OneLicense 804650-E.

Praise (pg. 2)

PRAISE SENTENCES of Hannah (1 Samuel 11) and Mary (Luke 1) Our hearts rejoice in the Lord; Our spirits dance in our Savior. My soul sings with praise. The Lord looks with favor on us; The Mighty One does great things for us. The peace of the Holy One is birthed in me. Low Voices: We have known the dust of ash heaps. High Voices: We now know the honor of inheritance. Low Voices: We have known the emptiness of pride. High Voices: We now know the fullness of love. Low Voices: We have known unfilled heart space. High Voices: We now know the One who guards our feet. There is no one holy like you, O God. There is no one besides you, O Christ. There is no freedom like what we find in your peace, O Spirit. Our hearts rejoice; Our Spirits sing. My soul magnifies the Lord!

DANCE RESPONSE

Breath of Heaven

PROCLAMATION

A PRAYER TO EXHALE Breathe out … we pray to courageously live as God’s anointed. SCRIPTURE ENACTMENT SERMON

“ Life brings ” themes include: Being, Praise, Promise, Belonging, Peace, Hope Download them today!

Encounter Jesus

Why Music & Worship Arts Week Is Worth the Investment

By Kathy Ritchie Toole

E

ach year, there is a migration into the heart of the mountains of North Carolina of church musicians, choir members, dancers, handbell ringers, visual artists, worship committee members, pastors, and more. Cutting across generations, children. youth, and adults all find a place to explore and grow at The Fellowship’s Music & Worship Arts Week, as they practice their particular passions in worship

arts with others. New relationships with people and with nature are formed, others are renewed. In this time, set aside, the Spirit moves,

breaking through to our spirits in worship, rehearsal, and around the table, offering encouragement, new visions, and challenges. Next summer, we will set aside the week of June 24 - 28 as our time together at Lake Junaluska, as we encounter Jesus through our worship, our rehearsing, and, of course, our fellowship together.

More Than Continuing Education I first began attending Music & Worship Arts Week, often referred to as MWAW, in 1996, when I began working in my first (and only) United Methodist Church. I went with their expectation that it would help me as I sought to expand my denominational understanding and grow in my music ministry skills. Having been a child of conferences in a couple of other denominations, and having finished seminary with an M. Div. with a focus in music and worship, I was not a novice. In those early years, I came by myself, preferring not to give up my continuing education time to responsibility for others. A colleague, however, suggested that I could bring our youth choir singers without sacrificing my continuing education funds simply by working that expense into our music budget and using my continuing education for a different event. I was able to make that work, and thus I began to bring youth choir members with me to MWAW (along with a chaperone who accompanied us year after year and assumed “head” status!). These MWAW events worked on and with me in ways known and unknown, especially at that time. I regularly came away from conferences renewed and inspired. But at MWAW, we worship under a leader

ship team that is not only particularly gifted, but that has had a year to plan a week of services knowing that it will have a significantly higher percentage of participants who love to dance and sing than is found in most of our home churches. Through this daily worship, we are challenged in faith and practice. We join our hearts in lament and praise led by the collaborative efforts of leadership and participating attendees. A Seminal Moment I have cherished the opportunity to sing under master directors, who not only bring their choral skills, but also weave their faith and grace as we seek to live into the promise of their music. Those of us who are directors get precious little opportunity to sing. Besides learning from their modeling and teaching – besides learning from the perspective of our own singers – we are renewed as the text and music reach in and resonate with our spirits as we sing through phrases again and again and again. A seminal moment continues to burn brightly in my heart: I was in rehearsal one morning in the late 1990s, feeling overwhelmed and burned out. We were working on Robert Lau’s setting of “Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart” when the words

“take the dimness, dimness of my soul away” leapt up from the page. In that moment, I found words to a prayer I didn't know I had. Perhaps I would have found that discovery another time; I can't say. What can be said is the value of time set aside. Lake Junaluska becomes a “thin place” for those who migrate to Music & Worship Arts Week. A “thin place” is a place where the boundary between heaven and earth is especially thin. It's a place where we can sense the divine more readily. That time, set aside, where all has been made ready, becomes a deep well which continues to nourish beyond the event.

choral and worship leadership. Returning year after year has been formative in my growing in leadership in music ministry. Returning consistently has another under-appreciated benefit – developing friendships and strengthening relationships as colleagues. Since coming into The United Methodist Church, I have come to appreciate its identity as a connectional church. Conversations with each other in which we share woes, celebrate successes, share ideas, and work out matters of faith and living draw us together in community as we go through the week. It is not unusual for this connection, established at MWAW to extend beyond our stay in the mountains, as we draw from leadership for our events in our churches, collaborative events in our communities, and as we Coming to Music & Worship Arts Week at Lake Junaluska is an investment of time and of money. The return is often intangible, but real. It is a major investment, particularly for churches to bring children or youth. I KNOW that my attendance as a child in my denomination’s Junior and Youth Music Weeks is foundational to my entry into music ministry. I believe it is no accident that each of the four former youth in our church who have recently become pastors or are working in that direction attended MWAW. For other youth, MWAW broadens their perspective, offering experiences beyond what most of us can provide in both choir and in worship in our churches. It also offers us, as their directors, valuable time for conversation and relationship building as we get to know and appreciate them more fully. More recently, as I have gotten to know more of the leadership of The Fellowship, and specifically this event, I have realized that we are a vital part of the church moving forward. cross paths at other events. Worth the Investment

Finding Encouragement I return from events like this re-centered, full of ideas and techniques I intend to incorporate with my choirs. But, the following year when back at MWAW, I have been discouraged at notes from the previous years not read, and intentions not followed. I have sat in rehearsals while appreciating the director’s leadership, feeling my own inadequacy as a director. However, after I had attended MWAW over a number of years, I began to realize that unbeknownst to me, many of the techniques I had experienced were working themselves into the way in which I functioned. I have found this to be true in both my

To get the most out of any event, come with expectancy and with open minds and hearts. Don’t expect every aspect to translate to your home church. Expect to encounter more hymns and musical styles that are new, in a condensed amount of time, than would work in the average church. Give worship leaders space to push boundaries. If there are issues with repertoire or aspects of the leader in whatever performance track you choose, work to remain accepting and open. You might be surprised how the Spirit chooses to influence you.

Fellowship member Kathy Ritchie Toole is the Organist at Second Presbyterian Church of Richmond, VA.

Encounter Jesus first appeared in the Mar / Apr 2018 issue of WorshipArts .

Music & Worship Arts Week

Photo Credit: Daniel Craig

SAVE THE DATE June 24 - 28, 2024

Confirmed Leadership

Tom Trenney – Adult Choir Dr. Jose Rivera – Senior High Choir Emmy Bruch – Mid High Choir James Wells – Elementary Choir

Pamela Grove – Bronze Level Handbell Choir Brian Childers – Copper Level Handbell Choir Khalia Williams – Worship Designer / Leader

...and more!

You will not want to miss this event!

In addition to those mentioned above, contracts are in the works with other renown worship arts leaders from across the country!

Cultivate. Equip. Worship.

Photo Credit: Daniel Craig

The Fellowship ’ s Revised Common Lectionary – Year B Available 9/1/2023 www.thefellowshipowa.org

Y

ou Are The Fellowship! The Fellowship of Worship Artists National Board made the decision in the

Foster well-grounded worship in your community.

fall of 2022 to upgrade our website, and the new site has enabled us to more effectively communicate our story, as well as to make resources more readily available to our members. Resources that were once cumbersome to access are streamlined and organized in the Member Resources area of our website. Resources that were once only available in print form are now available to you digitally. The possibilities that this reality opens up are endless, and we want to be intentional about inviting you now to help us expand our resource list, as well as our impact in the world of worship arts. After all… You are The Fellowship! It is your creativity that helps to create transformative worship and share the Good News with the world and each other. If you have a resource that you have created and would be willing to share with our members, send it to info@thefellowshipowa.org along with any guidelines regarding use and permissions. If you have a website that offers tips and tools for others in your field, send us the information! If you are impressed or inspired by the altar design at your church on any given Sunday, snap a photo and tag us on social media so others can enjoy it! If you find or write a piece of music, a poem, or a reflection that makes your soul sing, submit it to info@thefellowshipowa.org. We want to celebrate you as you grow in your field and in your faith. We want to grow as an organization. We want to grow in our ability to resource worship artists across the country and around the world. And the best way that we know to grow…is together. Keep reading to see how we’re making this possible!

Grants to worshiping communities and to teacher-scholars. The Vital Worship Grants Program has served communities across the spectrum of Christian traditions throughout the United States and Canada. Applications are due October 15, 2023 or February 15, 2024.

Calvin Institute of Christian Worship worship.calvin.edu

Explore newways toaccess "old" issues of

W orshipArts has been assisting and inspiring its readers to create transformative worship experiences for decades. With thousands of articles, experiences, and practical resources offered over the years, our magazine serves as a way for worship artists to share their knowledge, find encouragement, and navigate the changes that are constantly occurring in and around the church. Understanding the importance of all that WorshipArts has offered since its inception, we are extremely excited to share with you that every issue of WorshipArts , going back to 1999, is now available to you on our website in digital form! This exciting announcement would not be possible without the incredible organization, dedication, and expertise of David Wiltse, Editor Emeritus of WorshipArts. David was able to pull all of the original layouts together into PDF form for each issue prior to 2015 (when they began being digitized in an online magazine format). Being able to digitize past issues creates an even more comprehensive collection of resources for long-time members and new members alike. It also enables us to catalogue the resources within each issue. Over 350 articles have been catalogued by topic and listed in our archive so far. This is a work in progress, and we haven’t even begun to fully showcase all that is offered within the WorshipArts collection. But it’s a start, and it is available to you now as members of The Fellowship. Some articles appear in multiple sections because they offer something to multiple disciplines within the field of worship arts. Some sections are not yet as well represented as they could be. This highlights, yet again, why YOU are so important to how we grow and provide for this community. Care to submit an article? Each section is a treasure trove of advice, experience, and expertise, and we encourage you to explore this new method of sharing familiar resources!

Dance

Then…

Wherever You May Be ance in the church is reflective of our need to embody our celebration of God in our lives. Whether you have a seasoned dance program with years of experience or are just looking for a way to start incorporating dance into worship, we are excited to share that we have been able to once again add to our website all of the choreography that has been gifted to The Fellowship throughout the years. While we are very excited about this renewed resource, we also acknowledge that not everyone is familiar with, or comfortable participating in, liturgical dance…and we want to open the dialogue. It is one thing to experience dance in worship at Music & Worship Arts Week, or Convocation, or your Annual or General Conference…where you are surrounded by others who are committed to worship as a calling, and who have been steeped in the rich tradition and theology associated with the practice. It is an entirely different experience to work to incorporate it in your local church, with dancers of varying skill levels, and for a congregation who may or may not appreciate or approve of this worship art form. So what do you do? Continued on next page... D

We encourage you to engage these WorshipArts articles which speak to the spiritual depth and theological underpinnings of introducing dance into your worship services. They may help you engage in discussion with your worship team or congregation. • Participate Fully in Worship: Dance! • Sacred Movement: From the Inside Out We also encourage you to peruse a few of the choreographies that correspond with upcoming scripture selections in the Revised Common Lectionary. How feasible are they for the group you have now, or the group that you’re hoping to form? • September 3 rd : Exodus • September 10 th : Exodus, Romans • September 17: Exodus

While the instructions provided for each choreography found in the Dance in Worship section of our site are user-friendly and easy to read, if you are new to dance or new to the idea of incorporating it into your services, you may need extra assistance navigating this process. If this sounds like you, please email info@thefellowshipowa.org and let us know. We can connect you to others across our vast network to help provide the guidance you need to get things started. If you are a seasoned dancer or long-time member of a worship team that offers liturgical dance, would be willing to assist other artists, or have liturgical dance resources or related articles that you would be willing to share, please email us as well. We look forward to partnering with you to help our dance resources and conversations expand.

Some of you reading this may already have an active drama ministry in your congregation. Others may be scratching your heads, wondering how to get started. If you find yourself in the second category, here are a few suggestions about how to turn up the flame and stir the pot. She goes on to highlight the need to look for the leadership, learn how to work with your pastor, continue the conversation, and more! If you’re looking to start a drama ministry, you can read the full article here. If you are looking for new-to-you drama resources we recommend starting here: • September 3: Exodus • September 24: Exodus, Matthew • October 1: Exodus If you would like to be connected with other members who are gifted in drama ministries, please email info@thefellowshipowa.org and we will work to connect you. If you can be of help in this area, please do the same. Drama Drama Drama

Photo Credit: Daniel Craig

Have you been wanting to add (or add to) drama ministries in your church? Do you know where to begin, or what areas to first look to in terms of scaling up your efforts? Fellowship Member, Pamela Abbey, offers insight into what this could look like in your church. In her WorshipArts article, entitled Setting the Stage: Tips for Starting a Drama Ministry in Your Congregation, she shares the following: If you’re of a certain age, or if you watch old movies, you may remember the old Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney film in which someone yelled, “Hey, let’s put on a show!” Before you could blink, a polished, entertaining play was being put on in a barn by a bunch of amateurs! If only it was that easy to develop a drama ministry. Drama ministry is not rocket science. Most models of drama ministry don’t require big budget numbers. But it is a rather complex creature. I’m sure there are some drama ministries out there that started almost spontaneously, but generally it requires some thoughtfulness and planning.

I

n addition to cataloguing the articles that have been offered in the issues of WorshipArts , we are also working to catalogue the music reviews and resources that have been compiled by our dedicated team of reviewers over the years. As of now, they are being made available per issue on the WorshipArts Archive site. In the days ahead, we hope to be able to break them down by season and / or topic as well. This process would prove invaluable to our members as it would provide resources that have been vetted, so to speak, by individuals our members are familiar with, as well as provide a comprehensive source of suggestions for specific times or themes throughout the church year. But this is no small undertaking. Each issue of WorshipArts offers numerous reviews within its pages, and cataloguing each piece or collection of music for season / content will be time consuming.

If you are someone who has a passion for music, and the time to be able to help chip away at this process, please reach out to Erica Rushing by emailing erica.rushing@thefellowshipowa.org. Whether you are able to tackle one issue, or a year’s worth of issues, you would be providing a great service to the members of The Fellowship. While we work to make this possible, we can help narrow down some selections for the upcoming months by providing you with past issues which also offer selections for the fall cycle of Year A (Plus, if you keep reading in this issue, you’ll find the newest reviews for 2023!). • 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010

Photo Credit: Daniel Craig

Music

Job Listings Are Back!!!

Apply or Submit a Job Listing Today!

W

hen I was working for my local church, I was constantly searching for new resources. I don’t remember exactly how or when, but I stumbled

writer, and entrepreneur. She writes a blog for church musicians and music educators and hosts the Field Notes on Music Teaching & Learning podcast. Ashley has taught over 2,600 students through her online courses and workshops and maintains a private piano studio for K-12 students. Ashley received a B.A. in Music from the University of Georgia and completed an M.M. and Ph.D. in Music Education at the Eastman School of Music. She also received a Certificate in Arts Leadership from Eastman’s Institute for Music Leadership. Her work has been published by Piano Magazine, Oxford University Press Choral Blog, NAfME, Colla Voce Music, Peake Music Publishing, and Growing in Grace. Take a Look Around As we venture into fall schedules and routines, I’d like to encourage you to visit Ashley’s website. Although I am an accompanist, one of my favorite

upon Ashley Danyew’s website in one of my searches, and I have had it bookmarked ever since. In my experience, not only has her site provided great tools and meaningful insight; but even when something I find isn’t entirely related to the topic I’m searching for, something she shares still helps my thoughts or plans fall into place. From practical how-tos and resource recommendations to creative teaching ideas and planning tips, her site helps you do your best work as a musician and educator: leading, teaching, and inspiring others with creativity and confidence. About Ashley Ashley Danyew, Ph.D., is a musician, educator,

Feature Resource

resources is her 50 Choral Warm-Ups, A Fully Notated, Printable Resource for Choir Directors. I appreciate how it focuses on intervals that are commonly found in anthems, as well as providing warm-ups specifically designed for part-singing. Other general resources that may prove valuable to you include: • What Type of Choir Director Are You? • Best-Kept Secrets of Choral Voicing • How to Choose Music for Your SAB Choir (+18 Anthem Ideas) • A Quick Warm-Up Routine for Piano Accompanists And while the resources mentioned above are helpful year-round, I know that many of you have already begun, or are about to begin the planning process for Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany.

Ashley’s site offers many options to help you get started. A few of note include: • 5 Ideas for Creating Meaningful Advent Services • A Modern Resource Guide for Advent Worship Planning • Star of Wonder, Star of Light: Worship Planning for Epiphany More To Come I hope you’ve found something helpful or inspiring as you’ve explored this issue’s Feature Resource. As we move forward, you will find other resources from across the field of worship arts being featured in WorshipArts Magazine and throughout our other communications platforms. If you’d like to submit a resource for consideration, please email info@thefellowshipowa.org.

Augsburg Music LEADING THE CHURCH’S SONG

Explore New Choral Music for Fall, Advent, & Christmas

Visit www.augsburgfortress.org/NewMusic to discover our latest releases.

Augsburg Music is the music imprint of Augsburg Fortress. | augsburgfortress.org

Fall Slide Packs Available for Download September 1st

Free for Fellowship members www.thefellowshipowa.org

Photo Credit: Daniel Craig

Resources

Reviews

R E V I E W

Amy Rosine is director of the Sanctuary Choir at College Avenue Methodist Church in Manhattan, Kansas, and Professor of Music (voice) at Kansas State University. Dr. Amy Rosine

Dr. Robert P. Anderson

Dr. Robert P. Anderson is the Music Director / Organist for Jamesville Community Church (United Methodist and Presbyterian U.S.A.) in Jamesville, New York

EdDuling

E R S

Ed Duling is a trombonist, tubist, organist, and semi-retired music ed professor who alternates between playing/conducting at Ascension Lutheran Church, Columbus, OH, and contributing to the music program at Canal Lewisville UMC, Coshocton, OH.

Rev. Dr. Jay Regennitter

Jay Regennitter is the Directing Pastor at Coal City United Methodist Church in Coal City, IL, and serves as Affiliate Lecturer in Liturgics at Christian Theological Seminary.

Melissa Emerson

Melissa Emerson serves as Director of Music Ministries at Calvary United Methodist Church in Nashville, TN

Rev. Victoria Schwarz

Victoria Schwarz serves as Associate Pastor and Music Minister at Berkeley United Methodist Church in Austin, TX.

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Sing with Understanding: Introduction to Theology in Christian Congregational Song , 3rdEd. C.Michael Hawn, GIA Publications, Inc., 979-1-62277-663-4. Reviewed by Victoria Schwarz. “By singing hymns, people can forge an identity with their faith community. In singing together, they declare their allegiance and affirm their sense of belonging to the Body of Christ. Words combined with music gives voice to people’s emotions and innermost feelings. Effective congregational song accommodates the entire gamut of human emotion: ecstasy, grief, joy, lament, sorrow. Worship music that conveys the text well enables singers to internalize the text, leading them to deeper comprehension of the theological truths of the text.” [Hawn, 411-412]

church, I have been participating in a rich journey through the proliferate music of our faith. Like many church musicians, I have sung and led a wide range of music styles: contemporary Christian, historic hymns, modern hymns, praise courses, Taizé, songs of the global community outside the United States, and many other styles and types of music. There are at least two things I feel deeply are true: the most important choir in the church is the congregation, and the widely divergent music of the church reflects the unfathomable, generous, and ongoing diverse creation of God. In Sing with Understanding , C. Michael Hawn and his collaborative authors offer critical and significant insight into the beauty that is congregational singing, setting side-by-side the multiplicity of church music, gathered across time and place, and offering deep theological reflection to be used by church leaders and the worshiping body in praise and worship.

As a long-serving director of music in the Christian

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Hawn begins by organizing the text into three major sections: the definition and work of congregational song, the theology of congregational song, and the study of congregational song. The first section offers a definition of what “Christian hymn” means, looks at how congregational song shapes faith, and provides an overview of fifteen congregational song sources. The second and largest section, which I have accessed frequently in programming music, is the theology section, where eleven chapters are devoted to careful analysis of congregational songs and hymns following theological topics. The chapters within these sections also offer internet resources (YouTube links, online scholarly references, musical scores, texts, et al.) to encourage the reader to an extensive exploration of both the music being discussed and the aspect of theology being connected to it.

The third section reviews how music shapes hymnody and offers insight into both historic and current scholarship regarding congregational singing. Sing with Understanding is one of the most relevant and useful books I have encountered that addresses both congregational song – the words and music alike – and the theology of our faith. This author’s practice of putting diverse music from different centuries and styles side-by-side in exploring our theological truths is a major strength. I highly recommend this book to all of us who have experienced the profound ways in which congregational singing has shaped our faith journey. The way in which we program and understand singing within and by the gathered faith body matters. “There has never been more important season to sing together in community, adoration, praise, advocacy, solidarity, justice, and hope.” [34]

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The Oxford Book of Choral Music by Black Composers

Here are a few highlights from the anthology:

Music of Life

Compiled and edited by Marques L.A. Garrett, Oxford University Press, 2023. Reviewed by Amy Rosine. This is the first compilation of non-idiomatic choral compositions by Black composers and includes anthems, choral arts songs, madrigals, motets and part-songs from Medieval, Renaissance, Classical, Romantic and Contemporary genres. The intended use is for anyone who desires to build their library to include a rich collection of choral music written by talented, underrepresented composers. Many of the songs are available in single print and it is noted if other arrangements are available. The variety of music included is expansive and includes sacred and secular selections. I hope you will make it part of your music library!

Brittany Elizabeth Boykin, ISBN 978-0-19-256167-0, SAB, SSA and piano

Music of Life is a short accessible anthem for SAB. Set to the poetry of George Parsons Lathrop (1851-98), the piece is written in a lilting 12/8 meter and begins in 2-part, adding the third, low voice toward the end.

The Lord is My Strength

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor

The Lord is My Strength is an Easter anthem composed in three contrasting sections written in 1892. It opens with SATB allegro con brio (quarter-note = 140), followed

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by allegro moderato in unison singing that offers the option for solos or small groups in treble and bass voices. The final section ends with an SATB chorale. An approachable piece for SATB choirs with rich harmonies and melodies that are easily singable. The text is from Psalm 118 and Hymns Ancient and Modern.

Sanctus, Carlos Simon

GIA Publications, Inc., G-7421, 2008.

Written for mixed choir and piano, this is a short, contemporary setting that offers a good introduction to Latin. It opens with voices whispering the word "sanctus" followed by staggered entrances in each voice that offer a bit of dissonance and repose. As the song progresses, there are harmonic shifts supported by lush piano accompaniment.

www.thefellowshipowa.org

P I A N O

Hallelujah: Piano Solos

How Great Thou Art: Eight Hymn Arrangements for Piano

Thomas Keesecker, Morningstar Music, MSM-15-735, 2022. Reviewed by Jay Regennitter.

Michael Larkin, Morningstar Music, MSM-15-786, 2022. Reviewed by Jay Regennitter.

Keesecker has produced a volume of eight original pieces. About half of the pieces are titled with words associated with the church and faith, while others are more fluid. The pieces vary from celebrative to contemplative in nature. Some may be appropriate for use during memorial services, and others may be appropriate for regular gatherings of worship communities, but one should consider how many pieces would be used in your context before purchasing.

Larkin has chosen to arrange some time-honored tunes, including BEACH SPRING, NETTLETON, and OSTOREGUD . Because the tunes are primarily able to be used throughout the church year, the volume can be regularly used (especially for funerals).

I found the settings to be accessible and primarily contemplative. I believe it's well-worth purchasing!

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Favorite Autumn Hymns for Eight Bells

ringers. There is also no malleting or marting techniques. All the pieces are excellently arranged and crafted to each hymn tune’s natural beauty. Yet, each also displays a unique rhythmic treatment unlike other 8-bell arrangements. There is a playful quality to each tune that seems to lift the spirits. All the arrangements are roughly 1-2 minutes long. This makes it easy to include throughout different points of a worship service as a reflective moment or even a transitional piece. I cannot recommend this collection enough!

Arr. by Sondra K. Tucker, Casa Publications, HB044, 8 bells, L2. Reviewed by Melissa Emerson. This collection of ST. GEORGE’S WINDSOR, ASH GROVE, DIX, KRESMER, NUN DANKET ALLE GOTT, SINE NOMINE , and DIADEM is abundantly worth spending a few precious dollars of your budget. This collection will give a small ensemble plenty of great hymn arrangements that will not leave any one position without activity throughout. I’d purchase this for the arrangement of ST. GEORGE’S WINDSOR alone, which includes a fantastic cycle of mixed meters from 7/8, 6/8, to 4/4. Each piece in this collection is 8 bells – not the same 8 bells every time – but just 8 bells all in treble clef. There are no bell changes, so these can be rung without tables. They could also be rung by less than 4 ringers if you have some very talented 4-in-hand

Laudamus Te from “Gloria,” mvt. 3

Antonio Vivaldi, arr. by Ron Mallory, Paraboloid Press, PAHB025, 3-5 octave handbells and 2-3 octave handchimes (optional), L4, 2023. Reviewed by Melissa Emerson.

For those ready for a challenge – here’s a challenging and vibrant piece for your handbell

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Scherzo

choir. Even though the publisher says handchimes are optional – I believe they are required for this arrangement to really shine. If you are familiar with this duet from Vivaldi’s Gloria , you will quickly recognize that the handchimes replicate the soprano duet this arrangement is based upon. It will be critical to keep the handbells as accompaniment when the handchimes are playing. This is accomplished by thumb damping in the treble clef, but still requires a light technique so the bells don’t sound like little thuds. The bass clef bells can mallet or pluck. You may want to experiment with various stopped techniques to find the right combination depending on the octave of the bell and the ringer; for example, the G3 may need to pluck, while G4 mallets, and G5 and G6 thumb damp. Clean dampening and a steady subdivision will make this brilliant arrangement a fantastic addition to your bell choir’s repertoire.

Matthew Compton, Evergreen Music, EGM130, 3-5 octave handbells, L2, 2023. Reviewed by Melissa Emerson. Fun – fun with mallets, fun with ringing, and sort of sounds like Christmas. This original composition was written for a youth bell festival and has youthful energy and quirkiness ‘written’ all over it. There are mallets; there are marts; there’s some shaking and some LVs. Not every part will stay busy the whole time, but I think young ringers might be intrigued by the melody enough that they won’t mind not ringing some here and there. This music is set in C minor and while it can be rung with 3 octaves, this is really suited for a 5-octave choir as the C3 is malleted often and adds sort of a bass drum feel to the piece. There are several sections of repeatedly malleted notes – a good

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chance to demonstrate and practice alternating mallet technique. Yes, each ringer will need two mallets from the C3 up to the G5 position, and the G6 position as well. This will keep the repeated eighth notes steady and even. This is a great piece for a youth handbell choir or adult/intergenerational choirs for the beginning of fall ringing. Arr. by Lloyd Larson, Hope Publishing Co., 3035, 2-3 octave handbells, L1-2. Reviewed by Melissa Emerson. This reproducible book (meaning you by one book and make copies for your choir only) includes eight different hymn tunes: HOLY MANNA, GIVE ME JESUS, NEED, CRUCIFER, AURELIA, OLIVET, LEONI , and SOLIDROCK . Each of these tunes are simply, yet interestingly arranged where you can involve beginning ringers and advanced ringers Simply Reproducible Hymns

together. There are positions that play mostly half notes and others with combinations of dotted quarter rhythms. This is a great book to begin the fall where bells can start ringing in worship right away. Times and Seasons Arranged for Organ and Handbells or Handchimes Douglas E. Wagner, Lorenz Publishing Co., 30/2217L 2-3 octave handbell part, 30/2218L 4-5 octave handbell part, 70/1609L Organ/Handbell part, L2, 2007. Reviewed by Melissa Emerson. This is another reproducible book including ASH GROVE, SINE NOMINE, DIX, LET US BREAK BREAD, NICAEA , and a combined MATERNA, AMERICA, BATTLE HYMN arrangement. While

some of these tunes are repeated from other collections, this particular collection is a combination of handbells and organ.

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You will need both handbells and organ for these arrangements – they are not meant to work separately. The easy and beautiful arrangements are crafted for the combination to highlight both the organ and handbells. An organ can easily overpower a handbell choir, but these arrangements have the organ supporting the bells while also offering solo portions for both the organ and the handbells. Each hymn tune is crafted as a duet between the two instruments. The publisher has even separated the 2-3 octave version from the 4-5 octave version, so there’s less busyness on the page for 2-3 octave choirs to read. The only drawback is the Organ/ Handbell part only includes the 2-3 octave version, so if you have a larger bell choir, the director and/or organist may need to add a few notes to their scores. This is a great collection that offers several easily put together pieces for that last minute worship need.