Anyone familiar with the original tune to this hymn will realize how inappropriate it is. The march-like major key does not fit with lyrics like “Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave” and “Though they are slighting Him, still He is waiting.” Most of the text would be more fitting paired with a minor key or a tune that lends itself to a softer, more emotional feel. A few years back, I found a modern rendition of “Rescue the Perishing.” To me, this new tune fits with the original text perfectly. Read on to learn more about this arrangement by David Schwoebel. (more…)
Archive for the ‘Performance’ Category
Choral performance: “Rescue the Perishing” by David Schwoebel
Posted: February 20, 2013 in Choral, PerformanceTags: choral, music, ORBC, performance
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Solo Performance: “His Eye is on the Sparrow” by Pepper Choplin
Posted: February 6, 2013 in PerformanceTags: pepper choplin, performance, piano
Image courtesy Lorenz
So many people identify with “classic” hymns and gospel songs. The tune to “His Eye is on the Sparrow” by Charles H. Gabriel is as easy-flowing as it is complex. There is a natural swell at the chorus that calls to mind the lilting bird as it darts from tree to tree. There are quite a few recordings of this famous song, but here is my version.
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Duet Performance: “Come, Thou Fount” by Mary McDonald
Posted: January 30, 2013 in PerformanceTags: mary mcdonald, performance, piano
Image courtesy Lorenz
“Come, Thou Fount” is one of those hymns that just about everybody knows and loves. There are several different tunes to the lyrics, but the one here entitled Nettleton is the most common today. Below is a recording featuring my faithful trumpeter friend Gordon.
“I Run to Christ” by ChurchWorksMedia
Posted: December 21, 2012 in Choral, PerformanceTags: choir, choral, chris anderson, churchworksmedia, greg habegger, i run to christ, performance
I Run to Christ from Soundforth (owned by Lorenz)
A few weeks ago, I accompanied our church’s choir on a performance of “I Run to Christ.” This is a ChurchWorksMedia title with words by Chris Anderson and music by Greg Habegger. These two have collaborated on many titles over the past few years, and their music has found its way into churches around the world. There’s a conversation that winds its way throughout the text where Christ repeatedly speaks to the believer that is singing the lyrics. He constantly reminds the Christian that He is there for us and has always been there with us. (more…)
Solo Performance: “Praise Him! Praise Him” by Mark Hayes
Posted: November 9, 2012 in PerformanceTags: mark hayes, performance, piano
Image courtesy of Lorenz
It’s been a while since I’ve been able to post a good performance recording. Part of the reason is that I really haven’t been playing as much recently, but I’ve also struggled to get decent, usable recordings. This one turned out great (for these recordings anyway), and I got permission from Lorenz to post the recording.
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2011 Oak Ridge Baptist Church Christmas Concert
Posted: October 26, 2012 in Performance, VideoTags: bells, choral, christmas, duet, ensemble, flute, guitar, james koerts, Keith Getty, ORBC, percussion, piano, saxophone, solo performance, trumpet, video, viola, violin
[NOTE: This was originally published in December 2011]
This year I helped our music pastor organize a concert for our adult Christmas program. We usually do the traditional cantata or musical, but this year was a bit different. We chose musicians from within the church and asked them to collaborate with other musicians to create our own program. We didn’t set limits on song length, and we encouraged traditional and sacred pieces to be chosen. We ended up with a great mix of instruments and arrangements. There were selections from the Nutcracker, Handel’s Messiah, and 20th century American traditional music. (more…)
Choral review: “Promised One” by James Koerts
Posted: October 12, 2012 in Performance, ReviewsTags: cantata, christmas, james koerts, piano, reviews, video
[NOTE: This post was originally published in January of 2011]
Yes, I’m aware that Christmas was over a month ago, but it’s never too early to start planning for Christmas 2011, is it? Of course not! That being said, I have a Christmas cantata for you to consider. Last year, The Wilds Music published set of choral pieces with accompanying script called “The Promised One.” James Koerts wrote the music while Jonathan Cook provided several original texts. I have been involved in church Christmas programs for over 15 years, and “The Promised One” is one of the most memorable and exciting compilations that I’ve heard. Our church performed the music this past Christmas along with an original script written by one of our members. Here are some observations and opinions on several pieces as well as video of our church’s performance.
We’re all busy in our churches getting ideas and materials together for Christmas programs. I can tell by the content and quantity of emails and comments I’ve been getting recently. I’ll try to keep the blog current on what’s going on for our program, but in the mean time I figured I’d share some of my previous posts on Christmas programs for those that may be looking for fresh ideas. I’ll be re-posting a few things from the last two years of Christmases at ORBC for the new few weeks.
“Shepherd Boy” by Ray Boltz
Posted: October 8, 2012 in PerformanceTags: ray boltz, reviews, shepherd boy
On Sunday, I accompanied a friend at church in a song by Ray Boltz called “Shepherd Boy.” I had never heard the song before, but it was such a nice arrangement that I wanted to take the time to write about it and introduce it to you. (more…)
I played two different songs in the morning service today at church and became more aware of a personal “tic” than I have been before. I found that I was very tense physically during and after playing. Many people who hear me play that aren’t musicians seem to believe that I’m very relaxed and that I make it look easy. Many times that is true, but more often than you might realize, it’s not. (more…)
