For the Beauty of the Earth

This is a Celtic version of the beautiful hymn "For the Beauty of the Earth" as recorded by my mom (flute) and I (piano). The words to this hymn are so lovely.
The footage is from Ireland, New Zealand, South America, and other countries of Earth.
Hope you are blessed :)




Credit:
Steve Petit Evangelistic Team and
Rebekah Snyder

Libera: A Traditional Boys Choir with Unique Contemporary Style

I have always had a fondness for boys choirs. Not only do I love to see children value their gifts and enjoy expressing them, but I love to hear ordinary people exhibiting extraordinary talents.  Whether it's the Vienna Boys Choir, St. Thomas Choir, or Metropolitan boys choir, there is no denying the beautiful angelic sound that these choirs produce.

One boys choir that I was recently introduced to is Libera. I absolutely adore their works. Many long-time fans of the boychoir tradition may balk at the thought of introducing synths, electronic beats, and extensive remixing into recordings of this nature, but take my advice- the result is nothing short of fabulous. It's a  refreshing, lush, new age sound blended with first-class harmonious choral singing.

From a Christian, Baptist perspective, I find the majority of  their sacred songs to be absolute gems of praise to God. (such as the few I have listed with links below) In addition to many originals, they have a nice selection of hymns such as "Onward Christian Soldiers" and "All Things Bright and Beautiful" that are very familiar and theologically sound. Be warned that there are Catholic titles that may not agree with your theology. Others are based off common Latin texts such as "Agnus Dei", "Lacrimosa", "Sanctus", "Adoramus", etc. 

A few on my "must-check-out" list are:

1. Adoramus

On top of the fact this song gives beautiful praise to God, the vocals are absolutely stunning, and the instrumentation is marvelous.

LISTEN: Adoramus

2. Gloria

"Gloria, in excelsis deo" (aka. Glory to God in the highest) are beautiful words to include in any song. And when you combine that with Saint-Saens majestic Symphony No. 3 "Organ symphony" finale...well, consider yourself  in for a treat.  

LISTEN: Gloria

3. I am the Day

I am the day, soon to be born

I am the light before the morning

I am the night that will be dawn

I am the end and the beginning

I am the Alpha and Omega

The night and day, the first and last

The powerful words speak for themselves. The heavenly vocals, and powerful chords, suspensions, coloratura, polyphony, all weave together to produce a truly breathtaking song.

LISTEN: I Am the Day

4. Time
This one is not sacred. It concerns the subjects of past and future time, memories, and eternity- which can be extraordinarily mysterious and confusing concepts. The music is atmospheric and melancholy, begging deep reflection and focus upon the words. Altogether very beautiful and mysterious.

                       LISTEN: Time

5. Voca Me

Given that "Lacrimosa" means "mournful day", and this song includes the word many times, you can imagine that it reflects that accurately. If you love suspensions, and a whole lot of minor, you will enjoy this one. The ending builds up to a beautiful, sky-high climax, and is completely stunning.

  




LISTEN: Voca Me








6. You Were There


You were there
In everything I knew
From the moment I began
Always there
In every way I go
Saved me falling
Held my hand

You are shelter from the storm
The shadows fade away
All cares pass away


I absolutely love the words to this song, and the music is gorgeous beyond words. I was blown away the first time I heard it. Such beautiful praise to God.

       


   LISTEN: You were There

Ministering at the Assisted Living

There is something so joyous about blessing elderly people with the gift of music. Because they have seen so much, and experienced so many valleys and storms throughout their lives, they tend to have a keener appreciation for the smaller things...and the things that truly matter. 
A few days ago I took a few of my students to the assisted living, and we played some traditional Christmas carols for them. The response was wonderful. They repeatedly thanked us for playing, and expressed how blessed they were in listening to the songs.
That one small experience caused me to take a hard look at the impact that music has on people. Music is a language that speaks across so many of the boundaries between people. It goes beyond speech and letters. According to Aldrous Huxley, After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.
Some emotions are inexpressible. Some concepts are inexpressible. 
God is certainly inexpressible. And sometimes, what you cannot communicate about God through words, you can communicate more closely in music. 
That is one reason why I seldom find more fulfillment than by blessing other people with this art- specifically if it lifts their eyes upward to the One who created it. 


Every musician has been given his gift for a reason. And that reason extends beyond yourself. Use your talent and your passion to minister to others. Even if your audience is small, or considered insignificant by many, if that is the audience you have, it is the audience you have been given for the purpose of reaching out to them specifically. And for that reason it is worth everything. 


"Sing to the LORD, all the earth;
proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day."
1 Chronicles 16:23

This is My Father's World

My mom (flute) and I (piano) playing one 
of my favorite hymns

1. This is my Father's world, 
 and to my listening ears 
 all nature sings, and round me rings 
 the music of the spheres.  
 This is my Father's world:  
 I rest me in the thought 
 of rocks and trees, of skies and seas; 
 his hand the wonders wrought.

2. This is my Father's world, 
 the birds their carols raise, 
 the morning light, the lily white, 
 declare their maker's praise.  
 This is my Father's world:  
 he shines in all that's fair; 
 in the rustling grass I hear him pass; 
 he speaks to me everywhere.

3. This is my Father's world.  
 O let me ne'er forget 
 that though the wrong seems oft so strong, 
 God is the ruler yet.  
 This is my Father's world:  
 why should my heart be sad?  
 The Lord is King; let the heavens ring!  
 God reigns; let the earth be glad!

Essential Choral Christmas Music Selections

Nothing puts me in the spirit like beautiful, festive, inspiring choir music. Here is just a small list of my all-time choral Christmas favorites. If you have some must-hear songs that are not included in this list, feel free to comment with some titles!

"Messiah"

Lyrics from "Comfort Ye My People" to "Worthy is the Lamb"

"O Holy Night"

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining;
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!

"O come, O come, Emmanuel"

O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

"Carol of the Bells"

Hark! How the bells, sweet silver bells
All seem to say, throw cares away
Christmas is here, bringing good cheer
To young and old, meek and the bold
Ding, dong, ding, dong that is their song,
With joyful ring, all caroling. One seems to hear songs of good cheer
From everywhere, filling the air
O how they pound, raising their sound
O'er hill and dell, telling their tale.

"Coventry Carol"

Lully, lulla,
thou little tiny child
By by, lully, lullay,
thou little tiny child
By by, lully lullay
Herod, the king
In his raging
Chargèd he hath this day
His men of might
In his own sight,
All young children to slay.

"God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"

God rest ye merry, gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember, Christ, our Saviour
Was born on Christmas day
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy.

"Gesu Bambino"

When blossoms flower e'er 'mid the snows,
Upon a winter night,
Was born the child, the christmas rose,
The king of love and light.
The angels sang, the shepherds sang,
The grateful earth rejoiced;
And at his blessed birth the stars
Their exultation voiced.

"Hark the Herald Angels Sing"

Hark the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

"Joy to the World"

Joy to the World , the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

"The Little Drummer Boy"

Come they told me, pa rum pum pum pum
A new born King to see, pa rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring, pa rum pum pum pum
To lay before the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

So to honor Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
When we come.

"Pat-a-pan"

Willie, bring your little drum.
Robin, get your fife, and come,
And be merry while you play.
Tu-re-lu-re-lu, pat-a-pat-a-pan
We will listen as you play
For the joy for Christmas day.

"Once in Royal David's City"

Once in royal David's city
stood a lowly cattle shed
Where a mother laid her baby
in a manger for His bed
Mary was that mother mild,
Jesus Christ her little child

Music Performance Tips

With my students' recital approaching this Friday, I wanted to share some tips with them on successful performance methods. This list varies from other lists because I have written it from a Christian perspective, and as a culmination of many performances I have had through the years. I also consulted the wonderful "Coping with Music Performance Anxiety" article by the University of Winsconsin-Eau Claire¹
Here are just a few tips that have aided me through my years as a pianist. Any teacher is welcome to use them, change them up, print them off, and pass them out.

1. Understand your purpose for performing
When you understand that your performance is not for the purpose of reflecting glory on yourself, this puts everything in a completely different perspective. Suddenly the pressure and the focus is not spotlighted on you, but shifted upward. When you realize your performance is for God, this will completely change the way you feel about performing. Embracing this purpose is the ultimate radiating factor to a Christian musician, and paves the way to performing successfully and fruitfully.
"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." -1 Cor. 10:31


2. Understand Stage Fright
You can play less than perfectly, and still give a good performance. We all have nerves that act up at the wrong times and get in the way of everything. Audiences are very forgiving of a few missed notes and shaky hands. As long as you play with passion and dedication, your fervor will radiate to the audience and reveal something special to them. Remember that mastering stage fright is not about "getting over" nerves, but rather learning how to handle them in a proper fashion.


3. Prepare Beforehand

• Look for opportunities for exposure to mild to moderate levels of stress that challenge but do not overwhelm your coping skills, example: visualization of the performance and the crowd, practice performances, dress rehearsals, taping yourself and playing back, playing before family and friends. 
• Remember, most performers have to contend with anxiety—it comes with the territory. You’re in good company! Don't focus too much on the inevitable fact of nerves and anxiety. 
• Do not spend hours at the piano the evening just before a performance, or the actual day of the performance.  Focus more on getting rested, and getting your mind calmly adjusting to the goal at hand.
• Pray! Before each performance, ask the Lord sincerely to calm your nerves and help you pray your best. There is no underestimating the power of giving your anxiety into the hands of God.

4. Stay Calm During Recital

• Act calmly, even if you feel nervous. The more you dwell on anxiety, the more you are likely to remain preoccupied with it.
• Try to overlook minor errors when you perform. Overall impressions are more important to the audience than note-perfect performances.
• Rather than blocking out the audience, try seeing them as allies who are generally supportive and want you to do well.
• Consider performing as an opportunity by becoming immersed in the musical experience. If you are fully immersed in the music, your awareness of the audience will become dim.

5. Dedicate your Performance to God


Many people tend to separate sacred and secular music performance in this way: secular music is for the audience, and shows off your skill, whereas sacred music is for God, to bring glory to Him. Because of this attitude, recital is generally not seen as a time of praise to God. It's a time to promote your hard work, your playing, and your improvement since last semester. Church is for the God-stuff. Recital is for You-stuff. 
This is the incorrect thought process to have about recital. Whether you are playing a Bach invention, a Chopin Polonaise, or an old hymn, you are representing the Lord. You are representing Him through your heart-attitude, decorum, hard work, determination, sticktuitiveness, and loyalty to the tasks you've been given throughout the semester.
All music should be dedicated to the Lord, no matter what the piece happens to be. Before you perform, dedicate your music to God. Ask Him to bless it, and to strengthen your hands to play it the way He'd desire it to be played. Falling back on God will never result in failure. Even if you do not perform the way you had hoped, knowing that His guidance was with you will give you a deep peace you never could have had were it all up to you. 


Verses of reassurance and trust:


Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with 
thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, 
which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in 
Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7


Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own 
understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make 
straight your paths. Prov. 3:6-7


Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established. Prov. 16:3


Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7




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¹Resource: Coping with Music Performance and Anxiety
http://www.uwec.edu/Counsel/pubs/musicanxiety.htm

A Few Biblical references to music

Music is is referenced many times throughout the Scriptures. Over 1150 verses in the Bible reference a form of the following words: music, melody, song, hymn, instrument, sound, play, blow, noise, psalm, harp, lyre, timbrel, trumpet, horn, voice.

Here are just a few of my favorites!

Instrumental Praise to God

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. ⁵ Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm. ⁶ With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King. Psalm 97:4-6

I will also praise thee with the psaltery, even thy truth, O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel. Psalm 71:22

My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise. Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early. Psalm 57:7-9

The LORD was readyto save me: therefore we will sing my songs to the stringed instruments all the days of our life in the house of the LORD. Is. 38:20

O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory. Awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.  I will praise thee, O LORD, among the people: and I will sing praises unto thee among the nations. Psalm 108:1-3

Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.

 Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise. Psalm 33:2-3

I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee. Psalm 144:9

Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.

Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.

Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.

Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.

Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.

Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD. Psalm 150:1-6

Vocal Praise to God

 Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. Zephaniah 3:14

Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. ² The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him. Exodus 15:1-2

 I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high. Psalm 7:17

 Be thou exalted, LORD, in thine own strength: so will we sing and praise thy power. Psalm 21:13

 Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah. Psalm 32:7

O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.

 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. Psalm 95:1-2

I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me. Psalm 13:6

Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. James 5:13

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

Thoughts on Sacred Performance

Jim Brickman and Jon Schmidt are composers who play hymns the way they are supposed to be played - meditative, worshipful, and appropriate.
I truly respect a pianist who aims to draw peoples' eyes to the Lord, and away from the pianist himself. Partially because I know how difficult this task is.
As a congregational hymnplayer for 2+ years, I have discovered that there is a tough line between stylistic artistry and appropriate worshipfulness. Within the time that I've played for Church, I have often found myself getting so wrapped up in the sound I'm producing that I forget all about the point of what I'm playing! This is quite a detriment to the duty as a minister for worship.
Christian musicians are told to play skillfully (Psalm 33:3), but not in a way that pulls the listeners' attention away from the words of the song.

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoices; and with my song will I praise him. Psalm 28:7

Music is such a wonderful medium for worship, and if you have it, you are a very blessed person! Utilizing this art to its potential means keeping a worshipful, reverent, pure heart toward God. If you have this kind of heart, the overflow will pour into your worship.

Below, I have included some examples of hymns that bless my heart. I think they are very stylistically appropriate, and I hope they bless your heart too. May we continue to endeavor to bring glory to the Lord through the musical talent He has given us :)








BUY:

Jon Schmidt: Hymns Without Words

Jim Brickman: Grace