Review: The Ultimate Church Sound Operator's Handbook is written to specifically address the concerns and needs of the sound person who serves ministries and churches. The modern church uses many of the same presentation tools that have become common in television, movies, and concerts, placing a unique set of technical expectations on its eager, willing, and primarily volunteer force. This comprehensive handbook blends the relational and technical aspects of church sound in a straightforward and easy-to-understand manner. The Ultimate Church Sound Operator's Handbook will provide a leg-up to church sound operators who want to do a great job but need the perfect tool - created specifically for them - to gain the knowledge needed to excel and succeed.

Songlist: Qualifications for Beinga Sound Operator, Responsibilities of a Sound Operator, Spiritual Importance of Worship and Music, Relational Considerations: An Atmosphere of Peace, To Get Paid or Not to Get Paid, Volume Issues: Agreement is the Solution, Who is in Control?, Earning the Trust of the Team, Multi-Generational Hearing Considerations, Sound Theory, Interconnect Basics, The Front-of-House Mixer, Signal Processors and Effects, Microphone Principles and Design, Wireless Systems, Loudspeakers, The Racks: Drive, Amp, Effects, Patch Bays, Basic Equipment Needs for Your Church Size, Monitor Sysems, System Design and Layout, Acoustic Considerations, Miking the Group: Instructions for Different Numbers of Mikes, Common Instruments, and Vocals, Sound Check, Creating an Excellent Mix

Review: 'How Does Your Choir Grow?' treats the subject of recruiting and maintaining choir members, a key task in the role of church music leadership. The area of choir recruiting is a time-cosuming, often frustrating task, particularly in light of the many other aspects of the job. Designed to help directors develop a concrete plan for growth, this book deals with choir recruitment at all age levels. David Donathan has written an easy-to-read, easy-to-understand treatment of concern faced by all choir directors in their ongoing ministry. Any choir director, no matter the number of years of their leadership, will find this book to be a valuable resources.

Songlist: Analyzing Your Present Situation, Developing A Long Range Growth Plan, Developong A New Member Packet, Analysis Of The Physical Needs Of A Music Ministry, The Ever Important First Rehearsal, Organization And Communication, Special Events, Special Projects, Music Leadership In The Community, In Conclusion

Review: While there are plenty of books about the musical techniques of choir directing, there are precious few that deal with the organizational nuts-and-bolts and the people skills required for a smoothly functioning music program. Ellis Dillard Thompson, a veteran choir director and music educator, shares his tried and proven methods for getting choir members excited. He focuses on the role of a church musician as a spiritual leader, and stresses that a truly successful music program is based on spiritual values that uplift, inspire, and motivate participants. This outstanding guide is designed for anyone participating in music ministry: choir directors, choir members, organists, pastors, music committee members, and worship committee members.

Songlist: Dedication, Foreword, Introduction, Spirituality, Recruiting Members For The Music Program, Choir Attendance, Music For The Worship Service, Organizing A Music Library, Selecting Choir Officers, Writing A Choir Newsletter, M.A.R.S. (Monthly After-Rehersal Social, Annual Choir Christmas Dinner, A Little Bit Of Broadway, Making A Professional Recording, We Care, Personal Contact, Membership Involvement, Discipline, Choir Children, Cantatas, Special Arrangements And Compositions, Composition Contest, Using Insrtumental Music, Stereo Equipment, Musicianship

Review: Every choir director struggles with the desire to improve their choir's music reading ability and the reality that the time available to teach music theory in rehearsal is limited. Ginger Wyrick has created Singing Between the Lines to help you teach music theory in as little as 15 minutes a week. 'The fundamentals of music theory are unchanging, making this a great tool for quickly improving your choir's skill level. What they will learn here applies to all types of music making, including choral and instrumental. Music will come alive for your choir once they understand what they are seeing on the printed page. Rehearsals are productive, ensemble members are more confident, and the final product is better.' Ginger Wyrick, from Singing Between the Lines.

Songlist: Hymn Tunes, Introduction, Rhythm - Notes, Rhythm - Rests, Rhythm - Eighth and Sixteenth Notes and Rests, Bar Line, Measure, Staff, Musical Alphabet - Treble, Musical Alphabet - Bass, Grand Staff, Dotted Half Note, Seconds and Thirds, Fourths Fifths, Sixths, Seventh, Octave, Accidentals, Flat, Enharmonic, Slur, Tie, 6/8 Meter, Dotted Notes, Cut Meter, 4/2 Meter, Triplet, Dynamics, Artriculation, Repeat, First and Second Endings, D.C., D.S., Fine, Coda, Tempo Marks, Major Scale, Key Signature, Flat Order, Choral Score Reading, Hymn Page, Ear Training, Reproducible Music Examples, Answer Keys

Review: The Choir Member's Companion is designed for use by individual choir members in a local church adult choir. The book is intended for purchase by the choir director to be given to choir members as gifts or as a way for choir members to better understand musical symbols, terminology, and symbols used in choral music. The Choir Member's Companion is designed for use by individual choir members in a local church adult choir. The book is intended for purchase by the choir director to be given to choir members as gifts or as a way for choir members to better understand musical symbols, terminology, and symbols used in choral music.

Songlist: Basic Music Reading Skills, Musical Road Maps, Basic Vocal Techniques, Sight-reading A New Anthem, How To Mark Your Music, Preparation For Worship, Preparation For A Major Performance, The Performance

Review: Author Dr. James McCray has been a church choir director for over twenty years serviing in both Protestant and Catholic Churches. His music program at the Methodist Church in Ft. Collins, CO, has more than doubled in the time he has been there. His church choir is recognized as one of the finest in the area; they annually perform more than seventy-five anthems/cantatas for the church. He directs two choirs and supervises a staff who direct the children's choirs, the youth choir, and the hadbell choirs. For twenty years he has contributed a monthly article on church music to the international periodical THE DIAPASON. He has published two conducting books, twenty-five major periodical articles and over one-hundred music compositions and editions.

Songlist: Recruiting and retaining singers, Rehearsal strategies, Repertoire, Funding resources and rewards, Special aspects of the church music program

Review: This delightful handbook by John L. Bell of the Iona Community explores the reasons we, as humans, are compelled to express ourselves in song. John has compiled a list of charming introspections about what motivates us to sing or prevents us from singing. Whether we sing to tell stories or don't sing because someone once told us we can't, this engaging and enlightening book examines why everyone can sing and why everyone should. A must-read for choir directors, cantors, and song leaders.

Songlist: Why do We Sing?, Why do Some People Not Sing?, The Ambiguity of Communication, Au Revoir

Review: In the first volume of The Singing Thing John Bell explored the reasons why people sing. In the long-awaited second volume his concerns are learning and teaching. How do people pick up new music? How do you encourage a congregation to learn a new song? How can you breathe new life into quality hymnody that has gone stale? With both tact and irreverence, John Bell shares insights culled from over 20 years in which he and his colleagues in the Wild Goose Resource and Worship Group have taught new songs in venues as diverse as homes for the elderly with half a dozen hearing-impaired people to the Greenbelt Festival with over 10,000 gathered for worship. The Singing Thing Too is a great resource for pastoral musicians interested in improving the participation of their congregations.

Songlist: Lion-Taming for Lambs or Sheep-Rearing for Tigers, Sunday Morning Showers and Weight-Loss Through Music, Nailbitingly Important Issues for Loose-Fitting Denture Wearers, Advanced Trapeze Technique for Beginners, Typing for Beginners, Morphing the Muse, God's Worldwide Church

Review: Yarrington provides practical advice on how to get started, offers techniques that work to establish a good sound, suggests music suitable for youth, deals with the challenge of changing voices, and more.

Songlist: Getting Started , Establishing A Sound, Practical Application, Choosing The Music, Studying And Conducting Your Choices, Changing Voices, Private And Class Voice Instruction, Pleasures And Problems Of The Tour

Review: Real solutions for real situations can be found in this helpful resource. Understanding your singers as ordinary people is critically important. Learn how to achieve a basic choral sound, and to effectively conduct your volunteer ensemble, and to utilize and accompanist. Countless resources are available for music literature and a list of professional and denominational organizations are listed to assist you in your ministry endeavors. This book was authored by the director of choral activities at Concordia Univeristy, Wisconsin, Dr. Kenneth T. Kosche.

Songlist: Understanding Singers as People, Understanding People as Singers, Getting a Good Sound, Rehearsal is the Key, Conducting Basics, A Matter of Accompaniement, A Matter of Organization, Musical Growth, Concluding Thoughts, Resourses

Review: A helpful study for new choir members, both new and more experienced, or the choir director ho desires to teach the fundamentals of music. Includes a basic music review, suggestions to improve your ability to read music, breathing techniques, principals of music interpretations and a glossary of more than 100 music terms and expressions. A helpful sourcebook of musical fundamentals designed to make every choir member knowledgeable and confident.

Songlist: Spiritual Concepts for the Church Choir Member, Basic Music Review, Suggestions for Improving One's Ability to Read Music, Vocal Helps, Breathing, Physical Sensations Involved in Singing, Principals of Interpretation, Watching the Director, Performance Suggestions, Organizational Reminders, Conclusion, Glossary of 100 Musical Terms

Review: Choir members perform a key ministry in the liturgy of the church, adding beauty and solemnity to each celebration. To develop their musical and liturgical skills, they need encouraging words and solid resources. For this reason both the veteran and novice singer and instrumentalist will find 'A Primer for the Catholic Choir Member' an invaluable vade mecum. It is a handy reference not only for choir members but for all members of a singing assembly.

Songlist: Staff and Clef, Notes and Rests, Time Values, Steps, Scales and Keys, Singing in English, Latin Pronunciation, Rehearsals; The Liturgy, A Musical Glossary, A Liturgical Glossary

Review: The singers in your parish choir can be more than people who just sing notes. 'A Singer's Companion' allows them to become spiritually motivated ministers of song, individuals who possess a deep and extensive understanding of the church's tradition of sung prayer.

Songlist: First Sunday of Advent, Second Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday - Third Sunday Of Advent, Fourth Sunday Of Advent, Midnight Mass - Christmas, Holy Family - Sunday in the Octave of Christmas, Solemnity of Mary Mother of God - January 1st, Epiphany, Baptism of the Lord, First Sunday of Lent, Second Sunday of Lent, Third Sunday of Lent, Laetare Sunday - Fourth Sunday of Lent, Fifth Sunday of Lent, Passion Sunday (Palm Sunday), Easter Sunday, Second Sunday of Easter, Third Sunday of Easter, Fourth Sunday of Easter, Fifth Sunday of Easter, Sixth Sunday of Easter, Seventh Sunday of Easter, Pentecost Sunday, Trinity Sunday, Body and Blood of Christ, Second Sunday of the Year, Third Sunday of the Year, Fourth Sunday of the Year, Fifth Sunday of the Year, Sixth Sunday of the Year, Seventh Sunday of the Year, Eighth Sunday of the Year, Ninth Sunday of the Year, Tenth Sunday of the Year, Eleventh Sunday of the Year, Twelfth Sunday of the Year, Thirteenth Sunday of the Year, Fourteenth Sunday of the Year, Fifteenth Sunday of the Year, Sixteenth Sunday of the Year, Seventeenth Sunday of the Year, Eighteenth Sunday of the Year, Nineteenth Sunday of the Year, Twentieth Sunday of the Year, Twenty First Sunday of the Year, Twenty Second Sunday of the Year, Twenty Third Sunday of the Year, Twenty Fourth Sunday of the Year, Twenty Fifth Sunday of the Year, Twenty Sixth Sunday of the Year, Twenty Seventh Sunday of the Year, Twenty Eighth Sunday of the Year, Twenty Ninth Sunday of the Year, Thirtieth Sunday of the Year, Thirty First Sunday of the Year, Thirty Second Sunday of the Year, Thirty Third Sunday of the Year, Sunday of Christ the King - Last Sunday of the Year

Review: Many church choir directors are not formally trained in all disciplines needed to direct a music program. One area which intimidates many directors is that of vocal training and how to increase the ability of the choir. Choral Therapy features a basic, practical, 'hands-on' approach to learning skills in this area of choir leadership. These include the following areas: 1. Basic principles of diction 2. Blending of vocal parts 3. Vocal exercises and warm-ups 4. Problem-solving 5. Other areas such as tuning and ensemble Choral Therapy presents its material in a conversational style with many concrete musical examples and exercises. *Written for new directors or the director wanting more training * Written by one of America's most respected choral directors and instructors * Easy-to-read and easy-to-use practical format and style * Contains examples and illustrations that convey key concepts * Helps music leaders become more comfortable with music leadership * Gives music leaders a higher level of confidence in directing

Songlist: The Choir Conductor, Producing Vocal Sound, Considering Diction, Achieving A Vital Chord Sound, Specific Choral Concerns, Problem Words, Wobble Trouble, No Vibrato, Addenda

Review: The most basic advise for building a passion-driven youth choir is: Give them something they cannot get anywhere else; and It's all about: music, people, and God. Written by an author who has proven the passion driven approach works (Director of Music, Worship, and Other Arts,St. James United Methodist). Includes development of the 4 stages of a youth choir member (attending, involved, committed, leader) and how directors can use the gifts of each of these stages to develop a youth choir throughout the year. Develops the six principles the author believes are the building blocks to a great youth choir. Includes practical tips on topics such as how to develop a choir rehearsal plan for youth choirs, development of youth choir retreats & tours; gives suggestions of creative ways to make each tour unique through worship and connection to the church through prayer.

Songlist: Passion, Stages, Building, Community in Rehearsal, Musical Excellence in Rehearsals, Prayer in Rehearsals, Repertoire, Retreats, Tours , Worship, Guiding, Maintaining Passion

Review: The ChoirBuilder Book brings experts in the field of church music to you who offer practical, sound advice which has been tested through the years of personal experience. Covering relevant topics in a conversational manner. The ChoirBuilder Book is a resource full of useable ideas designed for novices and seasoned professionals as well. Keep your music ministry vibrant with The ChoirBuilder Book!

Songlist: Making Super Choirs with Everyday Singers, Blended Worship, Drama in the Church, Growing Your Children's Choir, Ten Great Ideas For Recruitment, MIDI for the Church Musician, The Efficient and Effective Rehearsal, Choosing Quality Repertoire, Healthy Staff Relationships, Avoiding Burnout

Review: The latest volume in the 'Basics' series is an excellent new resource for choir directors from a recognized expert in the field. Choir director Basics supports and guides the reader through the process of organizing new ensembles as well as developing and improving existing choirs. The book is divided in five parts, each addressing specific aspects of the choir director's work: The Place for the Choir and Preparing to Direct the Choir; The Rehearsal; Making the Choral Sound; Ritual Celebrations; and Administration.

Songlist: Singing From The Same Page, Organization and Paperwork, The Importance of Personal Preparation, Posture and Breathing, Warm Up - Making the Sound, Rehearsing Hymnody, Rhythm and Pulse, Rhythmic Phrases, Diction Skills, Making the Ensemble Sound, Gesture Technique, Conducting from the Console, Recruiting New Choir members, Maintenance of Choir Members

Review: Without a doubt the most important instrument on any worship team is the voice. Though every person can sing to some extent, there are many crucially important concepts that need to be understood and practiced in order for your voice to sound the best that it can. These include: proper warm-up, daily exercises, modern blending, vocal dynamics, correct vibrato, harmonizing, and more. On this live DVD, Paul Baloche and three seasoned vocalists provide over 2 hours of instruction, both discussing and demonstrating techniques that will improve your confidence when singing solo or as a background vocalist on your worship team.

Songlist: Preparation / Warming Up, Singing as a Group, Vocal Styles, More Vocal Styles, Mapping Out a Song, Singing Harmony, Stage Presence, Sound Tech Tour, Microphones 101, All The Earth Will Sing Praises

Review: By the Way- You Start Tomorrow Night'. The recruiting of a less-than-fully-trained person is usually done at the last minute, since the search for a fully trained person will continue as long as there is either time or hope. Our last-minute, inexperienced director, then will be starting immediately. This first chapter is the most light-hearted, the most general, and the most basic of the book. It is pep talk and a look at the thing to do the first night for the first Sunday. The remainder of the book covers the other ongoing aspects of planning and directing effective choral rehearsals.

Songlist: By the Way - You Start Tomorrow Night, Plan on Having a Good Time, Here's How: The Technical Stuff, Diction: It's More Than Just Being Understood, The Voice: Know Your Instruments, Rhythm: Is Your Music Alive?, Choice Matters, But People Always Come First, Tomorrow You Must Get Organized , What's a Choir For?, Now Do It - Week After Week After Week

Review: This book is not intended to teach you to sing or read music. It is intended to encourage and convince you, who dream about singing in an amateur chorus or church choir, how to make that dream come true. The text is for you who believe you are tone-deaf and non-musical, but want to sing with a choral group or church choir. Read this book and you'll learn how easy it is to do and how to get started. Also recommended for use by choir and chorus directors and music educators as a 'how to' text for their inexperienced singers. It is purposely non-technical.

Songlist: Introduction, You Already Can Sing, Some Music Basics, Learn Music By Listening, Musical Nourishment, The Music Sheet, Personal Notations, Why "Matching" Is Important, Learning To "Match", Outside Help, To Learn A New Piece Of Music, Another Kind Of Outside Help, "Sing-A-Long", Doubling, Separate The Notes From The Words, Sing Words As We Speak Them, To "Attack" Music, Add Heart To Sing A Phrase, Non Singing Considerations, Seen But Not Singing, Your Voice, The Best Place To Be, Before A Performance, Stage Fright, When Not To Sing, A Sensitive Responsibility, Reacting To Criticism, In Summary, A Little Help In Vocal Production And Learning How To Sight Read A Vocal Score

Review: Though one rarely hears an entire chanted liturgy today, any prayer the priest sings seem somehow richer, more heartfelt and efficacious. Unfortunately many of those in training for the ministry do not receive the training needed to properly sing the parts of the mass. This book can be used with advantage by individuals or in seminaries as the basis for a course in ministerial singing. Pastors who are already ministering will find the book useful if they are concerned about their role as singing ministers.

Songlist: Covering the Basics, Retrieving Our Voices, Treble Clefs, Bar Lines and Notes, Embracing Our Voices, Gregory's Modes, Framing The Masterpiece, Magnetic Personalities, Applying For A Tone, Mea Formula, The Heart of the Sacramentary, Putting It Together, Cadential Thoughts

Review: A practical introduction to leading congregational song in a variety of musical styles and with various instrumental accompaniments. This helpful guide, with audio CD included, will help church musicians master the skills necessary to confidently lead congregational song with stylistic integrity and cultural sensitivity.

Songlist: Foreword, Introduction, Techniques For Leading, Chant, Northern Europe, North American, African Amercian, Contemporary, Latino, African, Asian, Musical Examples

Review: Easy to read, understand, and apply, the material in 'Beyond the Downbeat' covers many important aspects of choral leadership beyond conducting. The material is practical for choirs of any size and leaders at any level of training.

Songlist: Vocal Choral Warmup, Diction, Singing Latin, Intonation Problems And Solutions, Count Singing How And Why, Voicing Your Choir, Seating Formations, Score Study And Score Preparation, Rehearsal Planning, Instrumental Accompianment

Review: 'Singing Through the Church Year' is a creative and comprehensive new resource book for a all of those who work with children. Included are artwork, songs, activities, and teaching suggestions for all of the seasons of the church year. All songs are reproducible for students. Useful as a curriculum or a resource book, this is a valuable publication!

Songlist: Preface, Author's Note, Introductory Material, Suggested Weekly Rehearsal Plan, Suggestions for Weekly Musical Games, Additional Activities, Church Season/Celebrations, Reformation, All Saint's Day, Thanksgiving, Christ the King, Advent Season, Christmas Day/Season, Christmas Pageant, Epiphany Option - Christmas Pagent, Epiphany, Baptism of Our Lord, Transfiguration, Ash Wednesday, Lent, Palm Sunday, Holy Week, Easter Sunday, Easter Season, Ascension, Pentecost, Trinity, Appendix A - Reproducible Song Sheets, Appendix B - Coloring Pages and Picture Cards, Appendix C - Tree of Life and Seasonal Leaves, Appendix D - Additional Materials, Appendix E - Resources

Review: Designed for use in schools, churches, and with other community choirs, Voice for Life offers four levels of vocal training for beginning through advanced singers. Whether a child or an adult, singers will develop skills in five core areas: using the voice well; musical skills and understanding; repertoire; belonging to the choir; and choir in context. Level 2 includes interactive questions, exercises, puzzles, quotes from singers, voice care tips, and more! Targets and goals are clearly defined, with a space for the director to sign off when a goal is completed.

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Review: Designed for use in schools, churches, and with other community choirs, Voice for Life offers four levels of vocal training for beginning through advanced singers. Whether a child or an adult, singers will develop skills in five core areas: using the voice well; musical skills and understanding; repertoire; belonging to the choir; and choir in context. Level 1 includes interactive questions, exercises, puzzles, quotes from singers, voice care tips, and more! Targets and goals are clearly defined, with a space for the director to sign off when a goal is completed.

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Review: Designed for use in schools, churches, and with other community choirs, Voice for Life offers four levels of vocal training for beginning through advanced singers. Whether a child or an adult, singers will develop skills in five core areas: using the voice well; musical skills and understanding; repertoire; belonging to the choir; and choir in context. Level 3 includes interactive questions, exercises, puzzles, quotes from singers, voice care tips, and more! Targets and goals are clearly defined, with a space for the director to sign off when a goal is completed.

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Review: Designed for use in schools, churches, and with other community choirs, Voice for Life offers four levels of vocal training for beginning through advanced singers. Whether a child or an adult, singers will develop skills in five core areas: using the voice well; musical skills and understanding; repertoire; belonging to the choir; and choir in context. With more than 300 pages, this book contains all the teaching material, guidance notes, and practical advice needed to train and assess singers with confidence at all four levels. Includes reproducible pages for lessons with singers for all four levels.

Songlist: Bronze, Silver, Gold Awards, Module A: Using The Voice Well, Module B: Musical Skills And Understanding, Module C: Repertoire, Module D: Belonging To The Choir, Module E: Choir In Context, Appendixes

Review: Designed for use in schools, churches, and with other community choirs, Voice for Life offers four levels of vocal training for beginning through advanced singers. Whether a child or an adult, singers will develop skills in five core areas: using the voice well; musical skills and understanding; repertoire; belonging to the choir; and choir in context. Level 4 includes interactive questions, exercises, puzzles, quotes from singers, voice care tips, and more! Targets and goals are clearly defined, with a space for the director to sign off when a goal is completed.

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Review: The assembly is at the very center of the church's worship. And the song of the assembly is the core of the church's sung worship. The fifteen articles in this volume, selected from Pastoral Music, show you why this song is important, how to promote it, and how to increase its quality.

Songlist: The Assembly and Its Song, Full, Conscious and Active Participation, The Art of Assembly-ing, Do It With Style, Participation - Is It Worth the Effort, Performance vs. Participation, Balancing Performance and. Participation, Making it Happen, Helping your Congregation, Congregational Singing - What?, How? Why?, ..But!, On Your Mark! Get Set! Sing!, How Can We Keep Them Singing?, 1o Comandments for the Sound of a Singing Congregation

Review: With readable, knowing, and often witty writing, Wayne L. Wold provides helpful guidance for every choir director about the care and nurture of the church choir. His 'Eleven Things Not to Say at Choir Rehearsal' alone makes this volume worth adding to your library.

Songlist: The Basis For Caring, Planning Ahead Is Pastoral Care, Good Rehearsals Are Pastoral Care, Teaching Is Pastoral Care, Caring For The Soul, Interaction Away From The Music, Pastoral Care At The Stress Points, Nuturing Your Self Is Pastoral Care, Vocation, Selected Resources For The Church Musician