Church Choir instructional books and CDs


  Church Choir Development Material

The experience of singing in a church choir is often how many people first learn how much they enjoy singing hamony and the church choir is usually open to all levels of singers. There are therefore unique challenges for the church choir director who might have a more varied group of singers than perhaps a auditioned choir to work with. We offer here a selection of material that will help you get the most musically from your choir.

James McCray: Church Choir Director's Guide to Success

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

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.

6411 BOOK $12.95

Wayne L. Wold: Preaching to the Choir: The Care and Nurture of the Church Choir

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

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.

6462 BOOK $10.95

Lloyd Pfautsch: Choral Therapy - Vocal Techniques and Exercises for Church Choirs

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

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

6437 BOOK $12.95

David Donathan: How Does Your Choir Grow?

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

'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.

6441 BOOK $12.95

Mark Cabaniss / Janet Klevberg: The ChoirBuilder Book - A Manual for Building Successful Music Ministries

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

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!.

6577 BOOK $4.95

Sandra Willetts: Upbeat Downbeat - Basic Conducting Patterns and Techniques

Basic Principles
Preparatory Gestures And Cut-offs
Basic Patterns
Subdividing Appropriate Paterns
Odd Meters In A Fast Tempo
Frequent Meter Changes
Ritardandos and Accelerandos
Miscellaneous Techniques

Conducting is a multifaceted craft that includes ear training, vocal, training, conducting techniques, rehearsal techniques, performance practice, music theory, and music history--not to mention basic leadership and group dynamics. It can also be an art that will consume a lifetime of study and practice. Many people have skills in some of these areas, but it is the rare person who has mastered every facet of this complex craft. The scope of this book is to address only the physical skills, the one area that most people can master relatively quickly, regardless of their skill level in other areas.

6442 BOOK $12.95

Oliver Douberly: Choir Director Basics

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

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.

6571 BOOK $14.95

Sandra Willetts: Beyond the Downbeat - Choral Rehearsal Skills and Techniques

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

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.

6443 BOOK $12.95

Richard Devinney: The Wednesday Workout - Practical Techniques for Rehearsing the Church Choir

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

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.

6805 BOOK $11.95

Frank Brownstead / Pat McCollam: The Volunteer Choir

The Role of the Choir
Developing a Sense of Ministry
The Choir Outside Ritual
Recruiting
Rehearsal Techniques
Tone and Good Singing - The Principals
So You Want To Hire a Choir Director
Repertoire

In one volume: the practiced, practical help so many choir directors seek. Full of the wisdom, training, talent and expertise of two long-term choir directors. For choir directors, 'The Volunteer Choir' contains timely advice from recruitment to year-end appreciation... and all those vital steps between. Defines the choir's role in a parish and offers recruiting suggestions. For choir members, it explains ministerial attitudes and the things that make choir directors tick. For technical needs, it discusses tone production, breathing, unified sound. It lists available choir materials with publishers' addresses. For liturgy committees, it sets out procedures and guidelines to assist in locating and hiring a choir director and tells you what to look for.

6567 BOOK $7.95

John L. Bell: The Singing Thing - Enabling Congregations to Sing


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

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.

6618 BOOK $14.95

Virgil C. Funk: Pastoral Music in Practice - The Singing Assembly

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

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.

6568b BOOK $3.95

David T. Nastal: Children's Choir Basics

Preparing the Ground
Plan of Action
Recruiting
The Interview Process
Preparing For Rehearsal
The Rehearsal
The Choral Sound
Repertoire
Parents and Volunteers
Expanding the Horizons
Basic Terms
Resources

A Children's choir - what a great idea for your community! But how do you get started? What are the pitfalls? Children's Choir Basics answers your questions. Beginners will find information, inspiration and well-tested ideas for that crucial first year and all years to come. Those who already know the rewards of a parish children's choir program will find even more fun and challenge. Perhaps most importantly, you will see clearly why children's choirs are more than cuteness and kiddy songs - and how to integrate them into the liturgical and sacramental prayer life of the parish. This book is neither a manual for music educators nor a pedagogical 'method' but a fresh, energetic look at building a successful children's choir program from the ground up. Music ministers, pastors, schoolteachers, council members, adult volunteers, parents and accompanists will find this a gold mine of practical music making.

6572 BOOK $14.95

Ginger Wyrick : The Choir Members Companion

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

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.

6440 BOOK $3.95

Lawrence J. Johnson: A Primer for the Catholic Choir Member

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

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.

6566 BOOK $2.95

Debra Tyree: Choir Directors Organizer 2007-2008

Hymn Usage Chart
13 Month Planning Calendar
Reproducible Forms
Clip Art
6439 BOOK $14.95

Voices for Life - The Royal School of Church Music’s Indispensable Guide to Choral Training

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

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.

6386 Book & CD $98.95

Voice for Life - Level 1 Student Workbook


6387 BOOK $8.75

Voice for Life - Level 2 Student Workbook


6388 BOOK $9.75

Voice for Life - Level 3 Student Workbook


6389 BOOK $9.75

Voice for Life - Level 4 Student Workbook


6390 BOOK $9.75

Bill Gibson: Church Sound Operator Handbook

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

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.

6592 BOOK & CD $38.95

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