Excellent anthems of Dan Forrest

Dan Forrest has been writing some nice things for several years.  Recommended are some of these recent works:

• Never a Brighter Star w/orchestra, Beckenhorst Press
• How Firm a Foundation w/orchestra, Hinshaw Music
• O God Beyond All Praising [w/string orchestration], soon to be published!
• Be Thou My Vision w/harp & cello, Hal Leonard/Brookfield Press
• Good Christian Men, Rejoice! (Christmas, 4-hand piano, very rhythmic and fun), Hal Leonard/Brookfield Press

Dan has a web-site you can view here:  danforrest.com

Sometimes we lack the initiative to speak out and encourage other good and godly musicians, like a Dan Forrest, or a Mac Lynch, and the list could go on...  Maybe it's someone who has little notoriety, but has been faithful to God and the local church for a good period of time.  Sometimes these people, though very positive, get little or no encouragement from others.  I would urge you to take a moment of time, identify that kind of musician in your life and encourage them today!  Sometimes it only takes a few words to say volumes!  Don't underestimate the power of your words:  Pro 18:21 "Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof."

Wishing you God's best & blessings,

Troy

3 John 2

My friend Dan Lucarini, interviewed in international e-zine

My good friend Dan Lucarini, popular author and speaker, has just been interviewed in an international Christian e-zine, The Christian Post.

Don't forget to check out the previous articles, seen as links at the end of today's article.

Dan's books and audio can be purchased in several places, but here's a good place to start looking: IBLP store

Dan is also available as a speaker for your church, organization or school. He's modest about his ministry, you will find him a GREAT blessing!

...and YES, this is shameless promotion--of a godly friend! :-)

Best wishes,

Troy

Christmas in July

July-August are the months I finalize my decision on Christmas cantata...and I've been wrestling with this decision [again] this year...I've been reading, listening, pondering, praying and cannot settle on any new work...I've thought I might just do Majesty Music's "Then Jesus Came" [never done it before], but I'm open to suggestions of other works, but need one with a strong salvation drama...has anyone done Pepper Choplin's "Once Upon a Night"? Curious as to the details as they are limited on Shawnee Press/GlorySound's web-site...

Best wishes for a blessed summer,

Troy Self

James Koerts releases beautiful album!

I had the distinct joy of getting to know James Koerts years ago when he was the young single accompanist for the Voices of Praise men's group from Bob Jones University. He impressed me as talented, clever and creative then, and continues to do the same now. His just-released album, "Wondrous Love", is evidence of the creative gift with which God has blessed James. Check it out here.

James Koerts serves as the worship pastor at Mikado Baptist Church in Macon, Georgia. He is involved with the planning and leadership of the weekly worship and is the director of various vocal and instrumental groups. James has written a number of choral songs, which are available from several publishers.

Having served in church nearly all his life, James has a deep passion for the local church. He enjoys bringing people into the presence of God through his keyboard artistry and dynamic congregational worship.

James and his wife, Beth, live near Macon and have two young children, Michael and Katelyn. Together, James and Beth enjoy leading the newlywed Sunday school class at Mikado.

Choir Clinics

Do you have a regularly scheduled choir clinic? If so, how often do you have them and what is the typical format for your clinic? We just had Mr. Jerry Maxwell here over the weekend to work with our choir. We had a 2 hour rehearsal Friday night, a voice class for men on Saturday afternoon, a choir dinner, followed by a 2 hour rehearsal on Saturday evening. The choir then sang all 3 songs that we had worked on during the rehearsals in the AM service. It seemed to work well for our situation.

I would love to hear what others do in this regard.

BTW- Pepper Choplin has a CD which features several very humorous songs that deal with choirs, and choir directors that we used for our dinner. They were a hit!

The Power of Music

I have been reminded recently in a very powerful way of the ability of music to minister to and to impact people. Several times within the last couple of months I have looked up at the face of a choir member who was weeping as we sang "No More Night", had a man break down and get choked up as he sang "I Want a Principle Within," and I myself was moved to cry right along with a dear man as he sang "You Meant it for Evil, but God Meant it for Good" for me during a voice lesson, and just last Sunday, I looked up to see tears streaming down the face of a member of our Chorale as we read for the first time a song that expressed the humility of Christ as He washed the feet of His disciples. These experiences, coming so closely together reminded me that great texts, fitted with appropriate melodies can reach the hearts of people. I pray that every choir number, every hymn we sing, every special number that is offered, will have a message that will impact the lives of others. Anything less, to me,more and more seems like a waste of time.

Just my two cents!

Internet licensing for your church web-site

After years of discussions with leading musicians, producers and composers, our church and web leadership team settled our many ethical and legal questions in posting church services, including music, on the web. The WorshipCast License [click] takes care of all the legal wrangling, including research, royalties and ethics issues.
See the link on my church's site [click].
It does cost, but I urge you to look them up and consider using them for your ministry. If you subscribe to 'Musings of Rob & Troy', you likely share our love for godly, conservative music. That means your ministry is now UNIQUE and no longer common...I was told by a leading author and speaker on music philosophy that we in the conservative music niche need to let folks everywhere know we EXIST! from street signs that inform of hymn singing to web and blogs with music samples, your conservative music efforts on the internet, with samples of services & conservative repertoire, need to be posted for the 'world-wide web' to see & hear.

New Soundforth Solo Book

If you have not gotten a copy or two of the new Soundforth vocal solo book titled "No Greater Love" it would be worth your while to check it out. I have heard two songs from this book and they are both great. I know the folks who do special music are always looking for new and fresh things to work on and this would be a great resource for your church library. Also, I might put a plug in for a newly released Soundforth recording. If you enjoy the traditional spirituals, you will enjoy listening to Rebecca Bonam's recording titled "Spirituals for the Concert Pianist." These are masterfully done arrangements that capture the essence of each selection.

Check them out!

Ever learning

What a great way to share ideas and experiences together. The Wilds Music Conference was a great blessing as usual, and a big part of that is the opportunity to fellowship and "compare notes" with guys who are facing the same issues. For me, a highlight of the Conference was the opportunity again learn from Jerry Maxwell. He has forgotten more choral technique than I will ever learn and I was challenged and exhorted by the fact that at a time when he could relax and take it easy, he still attends workshops, conferences and is always striving to learn more. That is my new goal and I would appreciate hearing from others about workshops, books, etc. that have been helpful to you in any facet of music ministry.

First Post! Why this title? Purpose of it?

Our desire is that this blog-site be positive and edifying. We wish it to serve as a tool of reference and space of interaction for men of like-mind in music ministry. It is not intended to be deeply philosophical. It is not intended to engage in debate or controversy within like-minded ministries that are fundamental and conservative in their theology and worship culture. It is only to be a blog-ministry of help and edification as we together discover the new, the fresh and the helpful that will glorify God with that which is good, virtuous and excellent.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Philippians 4:8)

That ye may approve things that are excellent; (Philippians 1:10)

We wish to propose new and existing repertoire, discuss recent happenings at conferences and meetings, and suggest books, links and literature for strengthening a philosophy of conservative music.

Let us know if we're helping by leaving comments and suggestions; your input will actually help us and our ministries in turn.

Why this title? At the start of this, realize this is not be overly intellectual and academic, but there is reason and rationale for starting the blog with this title, Misc Musings of Rob and Troy.

This is a music ministry blog-site.

When one studies the etymology of the word music, one discovers the word muse to be part of it's derivation.

the word muse:

intransitive verb
1: to become absorbed in thought ; especially : to turn something over in the mind meditatively and often inconclusively
2: archaic : wonder , marvel
transitive verb: to think or say reflectively

synonyms ponder

Rob and I do not pretend to be experts, but we do pray and ponder about the ministry over which God has called us; Rob, to Berean Baptist in Lilburn, GA; Troy to Woodside Baptist in Denver, CO.

Our desire is to fulfill the biblical mission of music.

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; (Ephesians 5:19)

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (Colossians 3:16)

Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: (Ephesians 4:13)

This is the first post for our 'musings'. Bookmark us for future reference.

Rob and Troy just returned from the Wilds Camp Ministry 18th Annual Music Conference, held near Brevard, NC.

We'll post our favorite selections from the choral reading sessions, as well as make remarks of how the sessions particularly benefited us. We invite your comments as they pertain to wholesome and edifying remarks regarding the conference.