SPONSOR 

THE NEB & MARTHA CLINE SCHOOL OF MUSIC

North Greenville University

Tigerville, SC

The Neb and Martha Cline School of Music, North Greenville University, Tigerville, SC., is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music and is proud to be an All-Steinway School, one of only 66 All-Steinway institutions in the world and--the only Baptist school to attain this honor.

The mission of the music program is two-fold:

to enrich the cultural experiences of the general student body

to prepare students for the professional practice of music.

Included in this mission is the desire to develop musicians who possess the knowledge, skill, and behavior that fosters excellence in the field. Our graduates have proven to be successful and highly qualified band directors, music teachers, choral directors, church musician. We offer four fully accredited bachelor degrees.

Church Music (Praise and Worship Track)

Church Music (Seminary Track)

Music Education

Music Performance

Information – For more information on NGU, see the website at http://www.ngu.edu/

For information on the Cline School of Music, go to

http://sharepoint.ngu.edu/FineArtsDept/music

The contact person for NGU is Dr. Jackie Griffin, Dean of the College of Fine Arts. She may be reached at this number: 1-800-468-6642 or by email at jgriffin@ngu.edu. 

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QUOTE – "Motivation is the art of getting people to do what you want them to do because they want to do it." (Dwight Eisenhower)

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SCRIPTURE – Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up, according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Ephesians 4:29)

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PRAYER - "Father, Friend, Counselor, Grief-Carrier, Lover of the Children, and Merciful Redeemer, our hearts have been saddened to the point of breaking as we watched the Virginia Tech tragedy unfold before our very eyes. We felt so helpless. We had so many questions. We wondered how something like this could happen in today’s world. Some wondered where You were during all this. Then it became obvious where You were. You were there, as The Holy Spirit, grieving with those who were grieving, weeping with those who were weeping, and offering solace and mercy to those who needed it most. These are difficult days, Sir, and it is hard to conceive that the sinful nature of mankind can erupt in such senseless violence and harm so many in so short a timeframe. Thank you for being there for those who needed You. Thank you for leading others to be strong and to minister so effectively during those awful hours. You are God. You never change. You are always there for Your people. Bless all those who still hurt. Minister to those who are still in shock. Grant peace to those who were first- hand survivors. From out of this terrible and tragic experience, may something grand and glorious immerge that will bring our focus again to You and help us to learn upon Your strength. I pray this prayer in behalf of all those who experienced this terrible event and who are grappling to understand why. Amen."

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WHAT THINK YE – VIRGINIA TECH

Surprise. Pain. Fear. Sorrow. Sadness. Frustration. Death. Blood. Friends. Helplessness. Professors. Police. Despair. Classrooms. Sirens. Questions. Media. Virginia Tech.

These words and many more fail to adequately describe what happened during the senseless and unprovoked shootings on the Virginia Tech campus recently. Someone said, "We are all now Hokies!" In a way, this is true. People across the great state of Virginia, people in the USA, people in other countries of the world rallied around the VT community to offer support in this time of crisis. The Governor of Virginia said it best. His comments, without notes, seemed to bring the VT community and the national TV audience together. Sister schools sent balloons, candles, flowers, notes of support and prayers.

It is times like this, though full of sorrow, despair and great pain, that the good in people flows forth. Kindness happens. "The second mile" concept comes into true reality.

My dear friend, HUGH BALLOU, and his wife, LEIGH ANNE--the Minister of Music in the Blacksburg United Methodist Church--spent many hours with children, students, and friends. They wept with them, prayed with them, and held them close. Not much more could be done in such a time as this. They were both spent, weary, and very emotional…but kept on loving, holding people close, and praying. Literally millions of people offered prayers during these difficult days.

Here are Leigh Ann’s own words:

Bob: What we really did was try to comfort people on a spiritual level, to address the wounds of the community in the context of the church, through our knowledge of faith and God's love. What we really did was stand with those who were suffering. It was the ministry of solidarity. We prayed together, worshiped together, ate together, sang hymns together, and listened to one another's stories of connections and "where we were when it happened" and who we knew. We checked on one another. Our church had only one direct connection to a victim--though many in the church knew those who died and some worked in and near Norris Hall. We are still in shock. We are grieving and expect to pass through all of the stages of grief. It will not be an easy journey. Of this we are certain: we are not alone. The prayers of the world have been with us. This has been an indescribable comfort. Please continue to pray, especially for those who lost family members, especially for the folks who provide the first line of comfort and assistance for those who are injured or grieving.

Answers? There are none.

Reasons for such senseless tragedy? There are none.

Will the mysteries ever be completely revealed? Probably not.

What we can do is: continue to pray for the VT family.

What think ye?

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LEADERSHIP - LEADERSHIP LEGACY

Want to leave a leadership legacy? Bernice Ledbetter (Life@Work) suggests 10 steps

toward building a worthy legacy. Although this was not specifically intended

for a religious audience, the principles are still true.

1. Focus on relationships – relations make the person

2. Create a vision—look to the future

3. Champion the truth--always

4. Become personally accountable--have some you trust help you

5. Set the bar high for yourself—others will respond accordingly

6. Seek to inspire others—to reach beyond themselves

7. Be creative and flexible within the rules—bend but don’t break!

8. Integrate your work with your beliefs—trust other people

9. Tutor others. Mentor your staff. Teach them carefully.

10. Let your work always be an expression of gratitude

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MARRIAGE SUGGESTION – FIFTY WAYS TO LOVE YOUR SPOUSE

Mark and Chrissy Donnelly, Reprinted by permission of Mark and Chrissy Donnelly (c) 1999

Here are the next 10.

21. Say "I love you" with your eyes.

22. Allow her cry in your arms.

23. Try to understand.

24. Drink toasts of love and commitment to each other often.

25. Do something unusual and fun--spontaneous.

26. Compliment her/him in public.

27. Laugh at the jokes.

28. Appreciate her inner beauty.

29. Offer to do the other person's chores for a day.

30. Encourage wonderful dreams.

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PARENTAL SUGGESTION - FAMILY DINNERS

When was the last time your entire family sat down to dinner together? With so much going on these days, including ball practice, dance lessons, work schedules, church and more, it is not an easy thing to accomplish, is it!? But…eating together as a family is extremely beneficial for your children. Here are four suggestions for family dinners:

OPEN COMMUNICATION – Everyone should have opportunity to talk about their day. Begin with each one telling the best or most important thing that happened to them today. Learn a new word. Begin talking about an upcoming trip and begin to make plans. Offer $1.00 for the best story at the table.

TABLE MANNERS – Practice good table manners in the relaxed atmosphere of home and special nights can be occasions to practice and show off those learned skills. Have a special guest, such as the Queen of England, and speak with exaggerated British accents. Have special dishes for the occasion! These days, table manners are almost a "lost art!" Children need to know manners and it is our responsibility to teach them at home.

POLITICAL DISCUSSIONS – No! don’t get into candidates or politics, but explain the voting process and how voting can affect people not even yet born!

FOOD ORIGINATION – Take about where the potatoes came from, which state produces the most lobster, have older family members tell about the "old days" and how they had to prepare their meals on wooden stoves.

Make memories with family dinners!

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BY THE NUMBERS – GO FIGURE! DOLLARS & SENSE

OK – tax season has come and gone. Some of us are still reeling at what we had to pay…others are thanking God for refunds! In a recent survey of 2743 people, here are some thoughts given about spending and saving. Sound familiar?

67% feel anxious, guilty or out of control when they think about money

81% are responsible for the household bills. Only 9% consider themselves money savvy.

66% don’t think they earn what they are worth. Sound familiar?

64% get their tax forms in early

58% carry a credit card balance, though they are aware it’s like throwing cash on a fire!

11% describe themselves as "drowning in debt."

28% won’t stoop to pick up a penny because it’s not worth the germs!

There you have it!

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THIS IDEA WILL WORK !

REHEARSAL ATTITUDE DETERMINES SUCCESS

Your rehearsal attitude will determine the success or failure of a rehearsal! If you come into rehearsal with your spirit happy, jovial, you are smiling, anxious and excited, rehearsal will go better. But if you come into rehearsal carrying extra baggage, such as personal or family problems, staff strife, and are up-tight and stressed, it will have a major impact on those who attend the rehearsal as well as the one who conducts the rehearsal.

Therefore, it is absolutely imperative that you rid yourself of all stress as much as possible so that you can inspire, challenge and encourage your people to be better musicians and Christians. Side remarks, personal jokes, inappropriate humor are all out of place in a good and positive rehearsal. Keep your personal feelings to yourself and strive to challenge your people to be better musicians than they are...and they cab achieve this... under your direction...if you prepare your rehearsal plan free of personal stress. Enjoy your people. Love them...challenge them... encourage them...and stretch them to be better than they think they can be.

IT IS POSSIBLE...with the right attitude!

This Idea Will Work !!

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WORSHIP IS - Sheer wonder at the beauty of God,

Gratitude for the gospel of Christ,

And eagerness to deepen self-giving service in God’s world.

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HUMOR - CHARACTERISTICS OF A COMPANY CAR

(Firesongs_Funnies@hotmail.com)

1. Always accelerates at a phenomenal rate.

2. Takes speed humps at twice the speed of private cars.

3. The battery, radiator water, oil and tires never have to be checked.

4. It needs cleaning less often than private cars.

5. The suspension is reinforced to allow for the weekend loads of bricks, concrete slabs

and other building material.

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INSPIRATIONAL CORNER – WHERE ARE OUR DESKS?

In September of 2005, a social studies school teacher in Arkansas did something not soon to be forgotten. On the first day of school, with permission of the school superintendent, the principal, and the building supervisor, she took all of the desks out of the classroom. The children came into the classroom for first period. There were no desks. They looked around and asked, "Where's our desks?"

The teacher said, "You can't have a desk until you tell me how you earn them."

They asked, "Is it our grades?"

"No," she replied.

"Maybe it's our behavior."

And she told them, "No, it's not even your behavior."

And so they came and went in the first period with still no desks in the classroom! Second & third period…same thing. By early afternoon, news had spread and television news crews had gathered in the class to find out about this teacher who had done the unusual thing of taking all the desks out of the classroom. The last period of the day, the teacher gathered her class.

They were at this time sitting on the floor around the sides of the room. She said, "Throughout the day no one has really understood how you earn the desks that sit in this classroom ordinarily. Now I'm going to tell you."

She went over to the door of her classroom, opened it, and as she did, 27 U.S. Veterans, wearing their dress uniforms, walked into that classroom, each one carrying a school desk. They placed those school desks in rows, and then they stood along the wall. By the time they had finished placing the desks, those kids for the first time in their lives understood how they earned those desks.

Their teacher said, "You don't have to earn those desks. These guys did it for you. They put them out there for you, but it's up to you to sit here responsibly, to learn, to be good students and good citizens, because they paid a high price for you to have that desk, and don't ever forget it."

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NEW PRODUCT – SONGS OF HOPE AND RESTORATION, Arranged for Any Choir by Marty Parks, Lillenas Publishing Company, 120 pages, Medium Difficulty, Companion Products:

Book (Saddle-Stitched) - $8.99

Preview Pack, with CD - $16.99

Orchestration - $295.00

This is the kind of collection that makes another composer/arranger say, "Wish I’d thought of that!" Our churches are full of broken and hurting people every Sunday. Here is a collection of 12 titles that can and will provide a meaningful, spiritual, scriptural and heartfelt way to reach out to these people. Brief online devotionals, written by Marty Parks, are available to accompany each song. These are useful for choir or worship team rehearsals, retreats, as song introductions and for personal devotions – share them with the choir!

Matt & Beth Redman’s BLESSED BE YOUR NAME opens the book, and the arrangement is excellent. The brass parts, in particular, are very good! The more familiar HE GIVETH MORE GRACE is very tastefully done. The very familiar hymn text, JUST AS I AM, is given a very nice treatment with a new tune! This will become a favorite of the choir AND the congregation!

Also available are a group of dramatic scripts, titled, Scripts of Hope & Restoration, that reflect the themes of each song. This book is $18.99 and would be a welcome addition for the church drama team. You may also combine the selections with real-life testimonies from the congregation.

This is a very fine collection and can be used in a wide variety of situations. For example, several of these pieces could have been used to comfort your people following the Virginia Tech massacre. This book has great potential. MMEMail highly recommends this collection. The CD is outstanding, and the orchestrations are first-class!

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 WEB SITE REVIEW - www.BenjaminHarlan.com


If you are in the market for creative hymn accompaniments that feature and utilize the congregation, look no further.  Harlan's very exciting and new congregational arrangements are, as you would expect, first-class, topnotch, a cut above the norm.  Harlan's skill in this arena is unsurpassed.  He is an excellent keyboard player.  He is a most creative arranger.  He knows how a congregation sings and what they like to sing. He has chosen keys that compliment the congregational range, and his key changes are so fresh you hardly know the key has changed!

There are about 50 congregational hymn settings now up for review…at $8.99 per chart.  You can view a sample, including printing a portion of each chart.

If your congregation likes to sing “like a choir,” or if you are interested in training your people to enjoy the beauty of great congregational singing, these charts are for you.  Some have optional ending for the choir, which makes these all the more exciting.

MMEMail has had much experience with these settings, and they work!  Don't miss the opportunity to “be the first on your block” to have these charts!  You will not regret it.

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ANTHEM – TWO FROM OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS

1. LET ALL MORTAL FLESH KEEP SILENCE, French Carol, Arr. John R. Van Maanen, SSATB/Organ, Oxford University Press, $1.70

Maanen has given a marvelous, creative setting of this wonderful old French Carol, and added quite a few very fine surprises! The first surprise: he has set it in 4/2 time—which provides good space for moving parts! Second surprise: he is set the tempo: half note equals 108, so the conductor can have freedom to allow the moving quarter notes not to be rushed. He has marked it allegretto maestoso. The men open the first stanza with a strong unison, undergirded by the organ. Stanza two is four parts, a cappella, flowing into stanza three with SSA voicing. After a brief organ interlude, stanza four is presented in four parts with excellent organ accompaniment that does not follow the voicing! The chart ends ff. The only flaw in this arrangement might be stanzas 2/3—a cappella. Not many choirs these days can pull this off and be in tune when the organ enters for stanza 4. Otherwise, this is a very fine arrangement.

2. PROMISED LAND, Arr. Don Michael Dicie, SATB, C-Instrument and Keyboard, Oxford University Press, $1.80

I love this old Southern Folk tune! Dicie has done a masterful job in keeping the joy, celebration and excitement in the arrangement, using C-Instrument and keyboard to supplement the vocals. The C-Instrument part is in the back of the choral score. Play close attention to his instructions and the chart will literally jump off the page for both singers and audience. Page 7 is especially fun to sing. This arrangement rivals the familiar "Shaw" chart of some years back, and should do very well in today’s market. This one is well worth a look! Dicie, by the way, is a native of Birmingham, AL, and is presently Organist and Music Director, Trinity United Methodist Church, Franklin, TN.

MMEMail readers can receive a 10% discount on both titles by calling (800) 292-0639 with promotional code 26099. Go to the following web site for details and reviews of other discounted pieces: http://www.oup.com/us/corporate/publishingprograms/music/sheet_music/featured/choral/?view=usa

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MUSIC MINISTRY NEWS

ROBERT (Bob) WEBBER passed away Friday, April 27, 6:10 PM in the arms of his beloved wife, Joanna. A truly remarkable gentleman, a scholar, and one who loved teaching about the art of worship, Webber’s influence will be felt in worship studies for many years to come. He has left a great legacy. Dr. James Hart, Provost/President-Elect, The Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies, had this to say about Robert’s passing:

Please be in prayer for Bob's family and for his students around the world. Truly a pioneer in the field of Christian worship has now taken his place in the Heavenly Gallery. As he did here on earth, I know he is adoring his Jesus.

DR. LARA HOGGARD, Distinguished Professor, Emeritus, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, passed away on March 16, at the age of 92. Dr. Hoggard will be remembered as a conductor who strived for and achieved excellence. He was a composer, arranger and teacher on the national and international stage.

DR. DONALD HUSTAD, Senior Professor of Church Music, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY., has been honored by the Seminary and they will designate the renovated 133 rank/6400 pipe Aeolian-Skinner Pipe Organ as, the Donald P. Hustad Organ. This is a wonderful tribute to a gentleman church musician who has given his entire life to music ministry. He is an author, arranger, scholar, teacher, and at one time, was a very important part of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Crusades, as Organist, along with Ted Smith on the piano. Congratulations are certainly due Dr. Hustad. If you would like to send him a comment email, the address is: dhustad980@aol.com 

OVID YOUNG has been named the Artist In Residence, Olivet Nazarene University, Bourbonnais, IL, beginning Fall, 2007. Ovid is a graduate of Olivet, and part of the famed duo piano team of Nielson & Young. Ovid is a world-class pianist, organist, composer and conductor. Nielson & Young will continue their concert performances, now numbering more than 7000! In his new position, Ovid will perform, teach, oversee Olivet concerts/recital series, and act as an ambassador-at-large for the music department. If you wish to email Ovid a note of congrats, his address is: ovid.young@verizon.net 

BILL DAVIS, MoM, Thomasville Road Baptist Church, Tallahassee, FL., will receive the Doctor of Worship Studies, from the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies. This has been a wonderful study journey for Bill – Dr. Bill! If you wish to email him your congrats, his email address is BillDavid@thomasvilleroad.org 

GREG SKIPPER, Worship Music Events Specialist, LifeWay Worship Music Group, LifeWay Christian Resources, Nashville, TN., has retired after 29 years of service in music ministry and publishing. In a recent email, he said: "I have been blessed more than words can tell during my 29 years at LifeWay and am grateful to God for the opportunity I've had to serve Him in this capacity. I'm beginning a new phase in ministry and I look forward to continue working where God is working now and in the future." Greg, and his wife Gail, who created the "You-Can" music series for the smaller membership church, will continue to write in this area as well as music for senior adult choirs. If you wish to send Greg a note of congrats, his email is: gmskipper@comcast.net 

GLEN ADKINS, long time MoM, FBC, Greenville, SC, has resigned this position to accept God’s call upon his life to go to the Gandhi School in Pecs, Hungry, to begin a choral and music program with the Gypsy students. Responsibilities will include writing down the music that Gypsy Christians create and sing in their churches; teach and play guitar with them in the school and churches; and to build relationships so he can share the hope and love of Jesus. His wife, Clista will teach conversational English, assist him with the music program, spend time with the students, and work with the faculty at the principal’s request (perhaps begin a faculty Bible study.) If you would like to send Glen an email of congrats, his address is glen.adkins@firstbaptistgreenville.com 

PAUL CLARK, President of the Baptist Church Music Conference, has just announced that Bob Burroughs will be presented the coveted W. HINES SIMS AWARD at its annual gathering June 3-5, 2007, First Baptist Church, Winter Park, FL (near Orlando). The prestigious award, named after the pioneering former Secretary of the Church Music Department, Baptist Sunday School Board, is presented by the conference to a selected Baptist musician of particular note. The award will be presented on Tuesday, 7:00 PM June 5, just prior to a featured concert by the Florida Baptist Men’s Worship Choir, a group Burroughs use to direct. For further information visit the conference website: http://www.sbcmc.org/ Clark had this to say about Burroughs being selected as this year’s recipient:

"I do not think you can name any part of music ministry in Baptist life without coming across the name of Bob Burroughs. He has composed and arranged for choirs of all ages. He has taught at three of Baptist’s finest institutions. He has been an entrepreneur in so many areas of music ministry, from his renowned Monday Morning Email, to his compilations of ideas for music ministry programming. Bob Burroughs has been something of a music ministry bulldog, who gets an inspiration and will not let go until it comes to fruition. He has made a profound mark in the lives of music ministers, students, and people all around the Southern Baptist Convention and beyond denominational boundaries. He and his coveted Esther are special gifts in Baptist life. The conference does well to present him this award."

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CONFERENCES/WORKSHOPS

RICK MUCHOW invites MMEMail readers to learn, participate, an experience the 6th Saddleback Church Worship Conference & Festival, June 26-28, 2007!

SPECIAL FOR MMEMAIL READERS - When you register by May 18^th, you will receive the early bird price of $329 per registrant. Use promo code "MMEMAIL" to receive take advantage of this offer.

Learn from top-industry professionals, experience life-changing worship, and participate in the festival atmosphere. Speakers and artists this year are:

* Rick and Kay Warren

* Erwin McManus

* Phil Wickham

* Tim Hughes

* Lincoln Brewster

* Vicky Beeching

* Maranatha! Music presents Jonathan Butler and Tommy Walker.

* Other notables include: world renowned bassist Abe Laboreal, Paul Jackson Jr., Tom Brooks and Sheila E.

Visit this website to learn more and register: www.saddleback.com/worship 

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THE BAPTIST CHURCH MUSIC CONFERENCE, June 3-5, First Baptist Church, Winter Park, FL (outside Orlando)

"For a Future Generation is the theme for the 2007 BAPTIST CHURCH MUSIC CONFERENCE. The scripture reference is Psalm 102:18: "Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the Lord."

What a great theme! There is a great need these days to involve the younger generation in leadership roles of music ministry. This conference will speak to this issue. One of the major events will be a panel discussion with the timely theme: How do we work together to pass on the heritage of praise to the next generation?

The conference will premiere a new anthem, commissioned for this occasion, by MIKE HARLAND, entitled Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! The breakout sessions will include such timely topics as the following:

Ministering to the Community through Children – Terry Taylor

Instilling a Passion for Music in the Next Generation – Jefferey Redding

Making Good Choices in the World of Contemporary Music – Carl Stam

Passing on Traditions that Matter – Joe Fitzpatrick

Instrumental Creativity – Jon Territo

Keyboards Ahead – Passing on Piano/Organ Music – Vicki Wright

Retirement Doesn’t Mean I’m Through With Ministry – Bob Burroughs

Anthem Reading Sessions will be a featured highlight Tuesday afternoon:

Music You Can Use – Terry Taylor & David Briley

CONFERENCE HOTEL: Hilton Orlando, Altamonte Springs, $89 per night

CONFERENCE RATES

• $170 Early Bird Fee ($195 after 5/10/07)

• $125 Early Bird Spouse/Retirement Fee ($150 after 5/10/07)

• $90 Student Registration

• $75 Children’s Conference Fee (age 12 and under – NO child care available)

You can register and pay online! For full program details and personalities, go to http://www.sbcmc.org/

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ALLELUIA! MANY VOICES, ONE SONG, Baylor University Center for Christian Music Studies, July 17-July 20, 2007, Baylor University, Waco, TX

When a conference can combine Joseph Martin’s Jubilate!, the creative talents of Choristers Guild, and the uniqueness of Randy Edward’s Youth Cue, you can be sure you are going to be in great company! The seventh annual church music conference, ALLELUIA! MANY VOICES, ONE SONG is such a conference. It is held on the campus of Baylor University, Waco, TX. Download a PDF of the brochure and registration form from the web site: http://www.baylor.edu/christian_music.com. The information, clinician pictures, class listings, registration opportunities and more may be found in this PDF download. If such is not available to you, simply email Melinda Coats at alleluia@baylor.edu, provide mailing address, and she will forward a brochure to you.

This event is well worth your effort and time. The only problem will be the fact that you can’t attend all the sessions!

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Save $25 each at TWO great summer events!

The Fellowship of United Methodists in Music and Worship Arts invites "Monday Morning Email" readers to attend a Fellowship conference this summer. While sponsored by a United Methodist related organization, the events will be of help and inspiration to all.

1. Music and Liturgical Arts Week is at Lake Junaluska, NC. June 17-22, 2007. Go to the website at http://www.sejmusicweek.com/. This is a long-running event in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina--perfect for groups and families.

The Staff includes: Michael Burkhardt, Rev. Heather Murray Elkins, Michael Helman, Mark Miller, Paul Saik, Jerry Ulrich and others. Use discount code "MME" to deduct $25.00 from the current fees for adults, youth, and children. Code expires May 20, 2007; not applicable to registrations made prior to May 1, 2007. This gives you the "before May 1" pricing for these categories.

2. "The Call" – National Convocation of The Fellowship. July 16-19, 2007, St. Louis, MO. The website is http://www.fummwaconvo.org/. Explore your call to ministry with musicians, artists, and pastors from around the country. "Preaching from the Center", a separate event track, is available for preachers, making this a great event for the church worship staff to attend together. Use discount code "MME" to deduct $25.00 from the fees for full-cost registrations. Code expires May 31, 2007.

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CHOIRFEST 2008 – The Huntsville Choral Festival, April 3-6, 2008

ChoirFest 2008: The Huntsville Choral Festival

When you arrive at the ChoirFest site, First Baptist Church, Huntsville, AL, you will be greeted by a festival representative and receive a packet, which includes the following:

ChoirFest Schedule

• Local Attraction and Restaurant Guide

• ChoirFest T- Shirt

• Banquet Tickets

• Cantus Concert Tickets

• Festival Worksheets & other documents

Choir Director and Singers will benefit from this remarkable festival. It will be a most exciting and lifetime experience--to be remembered forever. The Vocal Ensemble, Cantus, will add excitement to the concert program...and be available to visit with festival members. You will also meet other directors and singers from around the country and sing with them in the 300-voice Festival Choir, under the baton of Anton Armstrong, known in the USA as one of our premiere choral conductors.

Even though the Festival is not until April 3-6, 2008, there are only a few places left! Register very soon to insure a place in the 2008 ChoirFest! You can register online at http://www.choirfest.com/

SPECIAL for Monday Morning email Subscribers:

If you register by June 30, 2007, you will be allowed to register for $150 because you are a subscriber of MMEMail! To receive this generous discount, you must click on the following link to register – http://www.choirfest.com/MME.html

Early-Bird Registration is $175 per person.

After September 30, registration goes to $195 per person.

For more information call Hugh Ballou at 888-398-8471, Ext. 1

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BITS AND PIECES

MMEMail wishes to express our deep appreciation to Dr. Jackie Griffin, Dean of the Fine Arts Division, North Greenville University, Tigerville, SC – a suburb of Greenville. Jackie is a Furman graduate and has had the position of Dean for 25 years! NGU is "coming on!" I have heard their Concert Choir, under the direction of Barry Combs and they are as good as any I’ve heard lately. If you know someone who is looking for a class school, at a reasonable price, with very competent faculty and facilities, this is the place! And, they are an All-Steinway School!

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You may have noticed that Creator's website has been redesigned. Vern Sanders is continually working to serve the Church Musician and Worship Leader better each day. Please take a look around at the website, and register to be eligible for special offers. For instance, anyone who registers at Creator's site during the month of May will be eligible for a 50% discount on the Honored 10 Anthem Packets from the years 2004 and 2005. Once you have registered, look for the Special Offers section in the pull down menu on the Store tab. The only way to see and order these products at this discount is to register at the site. We think you'll enjoy this new site.

And, by the way, Bob Burroughs has just been named Editor of Creator effective as of May 1. 

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MMEMail is seeking sponsors for October forward. If your company, church or university or college is interested in sponsoring one of these months, email bbur65@aol.com for further information. MMEMail is excellent exposure to over 7800 church and school musicians as well as lay people who are vitally interested in the cause of church music. It is good exposure…for a small investment.

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 NO GAS...ON MAY 15th!!

On April 1997, there was a "gas out," conducted nationwide in protest of gas prices.  Gasoline prices dropped 30 cents a gallon overnight.

On May 15th 2007, we are being encouraged not go to a gas station in protest of high gas prices. Gas is now over $3.00 a gallon in most places.  The average car takes about 30 to 50 dollars to fill up.

If drivers did not go to the pump on the 15th, it would take about $2,292,000,000.00 out of the gas producer's pockets for just one day.  Please consider not going to the gas station on Tuesday, May 15th and let's dent the pockets of those who are draining hard-earned $$ from people who must drive.

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MMEMail! August 2007 is MMEMail’s 10th birthday. Some new and exciting things will occur with the August issue and months following.

Due to so many requests, MMEMail will become a weekly publication, beginning in August! Bob Burroughs will continue to prepare the first MMEMail of each month, as he has done for the past 10 years. CREATOR magazine (Vernon Sanders) will become responsible for the other weeks of the month. This new venture will add more interest, excitement and depth to MMEMail. These additional issues will center on articles and reports concerning church music and worship, and be much smaller in content. Some new and exciting things are happening!

We would like to print your comments about MMEMail in the July 2007 issue of MMEMail, should you wish to share them with our readers.

• What has MMEMail meant to you

• What do you think would be an improvement

• What could/should be eliminated/added

You can send your comments NOW and we’ll hold them for the July issue. Don’t delay, if you wish your words to be included! Deadline is June 1, 2007. About 25 have already come in. Send comments to bbur65@aol.com.

We are celebrating each month with something from past issues. Here is something from the January 8 issue, 1998:

Thought for the Day - Igor Stravinsky said these wonderful words:

"Hug a musician. They never get to dance."

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FINAL THOUGHT

My feeling is this: "Spring is the most wonderful season of the year!" Living in a new community and not having been here for a Spring Season, we are seeing plants bloom, trees sprout new growth, and grass turn a beautiful green. We are planting perennials so we won’t have to replant so much each year. A neighbor has helped me build a short span of fence. Another neighbor has given me plants…but left me to plant them!

Spring is like the Christian life in so many ways. All of us experience times of refreshing and rebirth as we walk the walk and talk the talk. We have down times – normal, and we have "up" times – also normal. We sprout better at certain times in our spiritual journey. We prune and refurbish our spiritual growth as the Father works His will in our lives.

Summer is a great time to refresh your skills. Locate a conference where you can be challenged and attend! Any of the conferences listed above would fit this perfectly. Choose wisely, and get the most for your money. But go and refresh your musical spirit, your personal skills and be challenged to reach beyond where you find yourself today!

It will put a spring in your step and you’ll be glad you did!

The extravagant grace of Jesus Christ be with you.

Bob Burroughs

bbur65@aol.com