Even before school let out for winter, I knew it was Christmastime by the familiar signs that filled my childhood home with cheer: the scrumptious smell of Mom’s homemade Chex mix filling the kitchen, Dad pulling boxes of ornaments out from the garage, and classic Christmas melodies playing over the stereo. Next came the decorations….
What is the best holiday dish and worst holiday dish?
For this issue, we asked out composers to tell us their favorite and least favorite holiday dishes. ROBERT STERLING: Best: my older sister’s homemade pies. Worst: fruitcake TERRY YORK: Best holiday dish is oyster dressing. Worst holiday dish is mincemeat pie. MOLLY IJAMES: Best: Corn casserole Worst: Either fruitcake or boiled vegetables …
‘Tis the Gift to be ….. Obedient, Faithful, and Humble
There’s something that’s been on my heart for at least three years now – probably longer. With the exception of a few friends, I’ve mostly kept it to myself. There are just so many opinions in the world; social media has made it easy for us to vent ALL the opinions ALL the time! We…
The Gift of Love
Every month I get a notice from my friend and yours, Joseph Martin, that it’s time for a new blog post (he’s nothing if he’s not persistent). This month, as in the past, the request came in an email addressed to a long list of contributors to this fine online establishment. Here’s what it said…
CHILDREN’S MUSIC FOR SPRING!
With Advent and Christmas now over, children’s choir directors know that Spring will arrive soon! That means directors will soon be planning music for Lent, Holy Week, Easter, Mother’s Day, and end of the choir year programs. Shawnee Press is proud to provide an outstanding catalog of Spring music perfect for children’s choirs of all…
Hidden Christmas Treasures
After only a few years of assembling Advent, Christmas Eve, and Christmas services, I grew weary of the same old same old. Grab a few Messiah choruses, “I Wonder as I Wander,” and the rest of the usual fair I needed to begin looking for the “hidden Christmas treasures.” Of course, it is great when…
Music of Gratitude
Thanksgiving has just passed. Christmas is around the corner. I’m taking this opportunity to “mash-up” these two events and say how very thankful I am for all the Ministers of Music, church choirs, church orchestras, and drama ministries that have programmed my music for the last forty Christmases. Your support and patronage have helped sustain…
SIMPLY HAVING A WONDERFUL CHRISTMASTIME Having fun with your choir as you prepare Christmas music
The busiest time of year for directors and choirs is NOW! Everyone is focused on perfecting those troubling measures, memorizing that last tender ballade, frantically collecting props, buildings set pieces, and everything else that goes into making Christmas so wonderful for every worshiper. With all this organized chaos in mind, it’s important that we all…
INTERGENERATIONAL IS NOT A PROGRAM – IT IS A CULTURE
What do you think of when you hear “Intergenerational?” Do pictures of youth going to nursing homes (I know that is not the politically correct name for them) and visiting the elderly (another incorrect political term) come to mind? How about when the childern’s choir sings with the adult choir in a Christmas cantata or…
WE WISH YOU “A JOYOUS CHRISTMAS!”
Each December, I have the pleasure of directing an 80-voice choir in a seasonal community concert. We call this annual concert A JOYOUS CHRISTMAS, and it is truly one of the highlights of my year. Our choir is comprised of singers from churches all across our town (Bastrop, TX), and everyone participates on a volunteer…
CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS
When I was young, we lived for a while with my grandparents. My mom was a nurse and my dad was a seminary student, so this was a real blessing for us. One holiday season my “mam-maw” let me help decorate the Christmas tree. Out came boxes of treasured ornaments, many of them handed down…
Joel Raney
Joel Raney is a multi-talented composer/pianist who has a reputation for musical diversity and meaningful texts. From sanctuary jazz and sacred theatre pieces to traditional anthems and classically inspired festival compositions, he can simply do it all! A favorite as a clinician, he is approachable and eager to share his faith and life journey. We…
WorshipSongsOnline 