 
The Purist
by Bob Burroughs
April 4, 2011
Quote
“No purist talk here of letting the flavors speak for themselves, the English let them sing in concert.” Juliet Annan
Scripture
“...Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent and praiseworthy--think about such things.” Philippians 4: 7-9
Prayer
Holy God, Redeemer Kinsman, Abba Father, the One pure and holy God, today is Your day, as is every day in the lives of those who love and honor You. Paul said in the scripture quoted above that whatever is pure, think on such things. "Pure" can come in a variety of ways, and those of us who are involved in preparing worship music that will draw Your people closer to You, we face an onslaught of ideas, suggestions, and ways to accomplish this purpose. We must first learn, Sir, to worship You with a pure heart before we can lead our people to have a pure relationship with You through the worship ministry we provide. Teach us, Dear Abba, how to do this well. Lead us to celebrate the Resurrection of Your Son with purity of heart, mind, body and soul. Amen, and Amen.
What Think Ye?
The Purist
The dictionary says that a purist is "a person who insists on absolute adherence to traditional rules or structures, especially in language or style." This is a very "right on" description of today's church music scene. Where, you might ask, are you going with this?
There are 'purists' on both sides of the church music scene, don't you think? There are those who are tradition-bound, not free to go outside any lines or take any chances or sing any music that doesn't fall within the tradition boundary lines. There are those who are so 'free in the Spirit' that they feel they must try every new idea that comes down the path.
Example: a friend told me recently that while attending a music worship conference, one of the speakers was an organist-choirmaster, and in the Q&A part of his presentation, someone asked: "Have you ever prepared 'My Eternal King,' by Jane Marshall?" His reply: "Absolutely not. I would never present anything to our choir and congregation that did not have organ accompaniment--music written for choir and organ and not adaptions of the piano score." That was quite to-the-point, wouldn't you say? My initial thought was "how sad!" How sad that his choir and congregation has never heard or experience this marvelous Jane Marshall masterpiece. Perhaps, they have yet to experience the powerful effects of "The Majesty And Glory Of Your Name," by the choral master, Tom Fettke, because--it did not have an organ score--three staves.
Directors can find themselves centering in on one style of music and the "purist" factor kicks in, saying "a person who insists on absolute adherence to traditional rules or structures, especially in language or style."
On the other side of the fence, is the purist who only tackles the contemporary style and will have nothing to do with any music that is outside the contemporary box--period. There was a worship leader in another state and city in the land of "far, far away" who believed in his heart that the music he would prepare in his church was only music that had a strong and uptempo beat. One day, an older member of the church came to him and in a quiet voice, said, "We are coming up on the Easter Season, and would it be too much to ask if the choir might sing 'The Hallelujah Chorus' as part of our Easter Celebration?" Now this worship leader has two music degrees and could have done this without a problem. His response to her: "No, we don't do that kind of music here. But there is a Presbyterian church two blocks down the street. I'll bet they are doing it, and you can go there to hear it." Is he not a 'purist' in every sense of the word?
People say contemporary music uses the same words over and over again. Do you realize that "Blessed Be The Name of The Lord" uses this phrase 14 times in four verses or 32 times if all four verses are sung! Recently, we visited a church that has a powerfully effective worship team and a host of instrumentalists who weave the contemporary with the traditional hymns as effectively as any I've ever heard. We did sing one praise chorus from HillSong that repeated the same phrase many times, but I didn't find it offensive in the least. Nor do I mind singing "Blessed Be the Name of the Lord" 32 times, if the worship touches my inner soul!
So--you see, there are 'purists' on both sides of the wide spectrum. And you don't even have to choose sides! Thanks be to God.
What think ye 
Leadership
Principals of Leadership -- General Colin Powell
- Do your best and work hard at it. All work is honorable. Always do your best because someone is watching.
- Stay Focused. Figure out what is crucial for the moment and remain focused on that. Don't let side issues knock you off track.
- Know your strengths and limitations. Surround yourself with people who compliment your skills. Only an honest and fair assessment of your abilities will allow this to happen.
- Never be impressed by your own importance. Don't believe your press clippings or the words of "fans." Always work hard on humility
- Surround yourself with good people. Admiral Rickover once said: "Organizations don't really accomplish much. Plans don't accomplish much either. Management theories don't matter much. Endeavors succeed or fail because of the people involved. Only by attracting the best possiblel people will you accomplish great things."
- Be accessible. Stay informed of what is going on while allowing people the freedom to express concerns and complaints.
- Build bridges. Never burn them. You cannot afford to alienate other people. People are not the means to an end...they ARE the end.
- Balance is crucial. Never become so consumed by your career (calling/Ministry) that nothing is left for you, your spouse and family. Never allow your profession to become the whole of your existence.
This Idea Will Work
Here Is A Great Secret For 2011 & Beyond
The Secret is really quite simple! Here it is: Your position as a church musician and a staff member should allow you--no! Demand of you to dream dreams about your ministry that are completely and utterly unrealistic!
Go beyond the dream. Try to create things in your program that are totally unreasonable, un realistic and even absurd. Such a dream will require an obsession that is worthy of your highest and your best effort. It requires going beyond the ordinary, the expected. Unusual success in ministry of any size requires being able to see something bigger, something beyond what others can see.
Never fear your "impossible" dream. Embrace it. Each is a script from which you can create a program that honors the Father, our Abba, and your people.
Walt Disney once said: "If you can dream it, you can achieve it."
Church staff people must work extra hard to achieve their ministry dreams, which involves searching and finding creative people to help in the process.
It is no longer a secret!
Humor
A real Purist would require U-2 to become "You-Two."
To read more of this week's MME, including new music reviews, please look to the right.
© 2011 Creator Magazine All Rights Reserved
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The Purist Anthem Reviews
New Product Reviews
Anthems
The anthems for the April Reviews come from LifeWay Worship. You may click on the graphic of each anthem's cover, type in the Search field the title of the anthem, and you will hear a 30 second excerpt of the anthem. If you had The Red Box, you would have copies of these and other anthems from this release cycle--and, you would have The Red Disk of all these pieces--complete! Click here and see how you can get your own Red Box! Enjoy!
You are Lord of All, Words/Music by Jeremy Johnson/Archa Turner; Arranged & Orchestrated by Phillip Keveren; SATB/Keyboard # 6-34437-177410; Hard Copy Anthem: $1.65; Downloadable Anthem: $1.25; Orchestration #6-34337-177427; Both CD ROM and Downloadable Orchestration: $29.95
 This is a very gentle, moving and sensitive anthem--very easy and flows from start to finish so very smoothly. It moves from D major to F major, with a grand crescendo and gradually fades to a very delicate p ending. This lovely setting is within the capabilities of almost any choir who loves exceptionally good choral literature. The orchestration is small: flute, oboe, piano, Violins 1&2, cello, and string bass. A clarinet may substitute for oboe, if necessary. Don't pass this one up!
I Then Shall Live, Words by Gloria Gaither/Music by Sibelius; Arranged & Orchestrated by Camp Kirkland; SATB/Keyboard #6-34337-180441 $1.65; Orchestration #6-34337-180700 $69.95
 Leave it to the Master Arranger, Camp Kirkland, to breathe new life into one of the great hymn tunes of all time! He does a marvelous job in creating quietness building to a grand key change, and ending, surprisingly, a pp. This setting gives you TWO opportunities to use this anthem! The first is the text by Gloria Gaither, detailing the joy that comes to believers as they think about what is to come and that they shall indeed live again. The second opportunity is a text on the Christian home by Barbara B. Hart. This is a wonderful hymn for celebrations that center around the family! There aren't a lot of these kinds of hymn texts and this one is really strong.
I Believe in God, Words/Music by Marty Funderburk/Steve Marshall; Arranged & Orchestrated by Cliff Duren; SATB,Keyboard #6-34337-180472 - Hard Copy Anthem: $1.65; Downloadable Anthem: $1.25; Orchestration #634337-180731 - $69.95
Every pastor is going to LOVE this piece! Funderburk and Marshall have given us an impressive text that deals with trust, faith and belief in God--set to a contemporary "feel" that is very comfortable, once the singers get a "feel" for the rhythms. This is called a "power ballad," and deals with God's Word and inspirational faith. The keyboard writing is excellent and doesn't always follow the melody (thank you!) This piece, believe it, stays in one key - G major! The ending is a very fine climax to this piece and gives the conductor lots of freedom to drive home the final thought: "I believe in God!" Very nice writing.
Not Unto Us, Words/Music Michael Neale; Arranged & Orchestrated by Dave Williamson; SATB/Keyboard # 6-34337-180489 - $1.75 - Downloadable: $1.25; Orchestration #6-34337-180748 - $69.95.
 Get ready for your choir to have a really great experience learning and singing this marvelous anthem! It will be a favorite from the first 'read-through.' This one has so much for the conductor to interpret and teach. It includes some spots from Doxology, and an ever-so-brief brief excerpt from All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name. It requires a very good soloist who has a lot of freedom in what is sung. Of course, the section could do the work, but it would be so much more powerful is there is a soloist around who can "get with it!" It is a "2" rhythm, with lots of quarter note triplets. This will require some intense rehearsal time to nail it down. The text deals with comfort and refuge--a very strong, expressive anthem that is worthy of your serious consideration.
Conferences
The 2011 Baptist Church Music Conference, June 5-7, Tallowood Baptist Church, Houston, Texas, is shaping up to be a very fine conference! For starters, the annual W. Hines Sims Award will be given to the very well known church musician, composer, pianist, song-writer, husband, father, grandfather and all-around good guy, Kurt Kaiser. This is a great honor for a great gentleman, probably known for two great works: "Oh, How He Loves You And Me," and co-writer with Ralph Carmichael of the great music-scene changing musical, "Tell It Like It Is!"
The Conference Pastor will be Mike Harland, LifeWay Worship Director and the Worship Leader will be Craig Adams, also of LifeWay Worship. Featured groups will include some outstanding performances:
• Tallowood Baptist Church Music Ministry: Carolos Ichter, Director
• Houston Children's Chorus: Stephen Roddy, Conductor
• The Singing Women of Texas: Conductor,
• The Southern Favorite4s Combined Choir: Conductor,
• The Combined Houston Area Choir: Conductor,
Special features will include:
• Rodrigo Rodriguez, Internationally-known Guitarist
• Adam Paul Williams, Tenor
• Keron Jackson, Bass
• Nancy Lanmon Munn, Soprano
Go to www.sbcmc.org to see all the program details, conference hotels, and register online!
The Baylor University Center for Christian Studies, celebrating their 10th anniversary, is offering their Annual Alleluia! Many Voices, One Song Conference, scheduled for July 19-22, 2011, on the beautiful campus of Baylor University, Waco, Texas. This Conference believes that for this event to be successful, it must inspire you, help you to refine and stretch your skills, provide a retreat from the day-to-day workplace and must help you to build lasting relationships with like-minded people. There is a wide variety of classes--covering literally all aspects of worship. A faculty, composed of some of the world's great worship and conference leaders, will be available to challenge and inspire. To see the complete schedule, faculty, a tentative schedule and you may also register online!
Here are some of the clinicians for this 2011 event:
Pam Andrews - Anton Armstrong - Michael Bedford - Cindy Berry - Harold Best - Randall Bradley - Patti Drennan - Swee Hong Lim - Joseph Martin - David Music - Mary Kay Parrish Julie Pennington-Russell - John Purifoy - Terry York - and many others!
If you can only attend one conference this year, you will not be disappointed in this grand event.
The Presbyterian Association of Musicians, or PAM, has two wonderful and exciting worship and Music Conferences. For your benefit, we have listed below a short descriptions of both.
Mo-Ranch/PAM Worship & Music Conference, June 19-24, 2011, Mo-Ranch, Hunt, TX. The theme for this conference is "All Creatures Of Our God and King, lift up your voice and with us sing: Alleluia!" Sharon Humphreys is the Conference Director. You may see who's who and what's what by going to the website http://www.presbymusic.org/mo_ranch.html.
The two Montreat PAM Music and Worship Conferences, Black Mountain, NC, June 19-25 and June 26-July 2, bring the 2011 Routley Lecturer, Mel Bringles as the features presenter. She is Professor of Philosophy/Religious Studies, Brevard College, Brevard, NC. Her subject will be "Who Would Sing THAT in Church?" You will be grateful you had opportunity to attend either of these wonderful events.
Bits 'n Pieces
MME expresses gratitude to LifeWay Worship for their continuing support of Monday Morning Email. Big steps have been taken by their bold leader, Mike Harland! Be sure to check out The Red Box! Double click on the name and be taken directly to the LifeWay Worship website. We think you will be pleasantly surprised at what you find on their website. Thank you, Karen Gilchrist and Mike Harland, for your support of MME.
Final Thought
In this fourth month of the year of our Lord, 2011, each of us has, by now, developed strong standards and feelings to which we adhere in our music ministry, including music selection, various groups within the program, what we would like to see in the program 5 years from now, and worship planning and what goes into this each week. Is there room for the Purist, one who has a identification on one "side" or the other. Should such a person be able to delve into the other side? Better yet, should the congregation and music ministry participants have the privilege of exposure to this other side? Will the director feel personally attacked if the members begin to "like" the music of the other side? Should the purist organist/choirmaster allow him/herself to translate piano keyboard writing to the organ, to allow his people to sing My Eternal King? Should the purist contemporary worship leader press to have just contemporary music all the time, with no room for the great hymns of our faith?
Wish I had the answers, but the answers can come only from you.
Bob Burroughs
© 2011 Creator Magazine All Rights Reserved
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