The Choir that Couldn't Sing


Book Description

The stories in Bob Reed's delightful book are surefire spirit lifters that celebrate life and enrich the soul. Reed's seven tales not only come alive with hilarity and warmth, they show how God works through even the most bumbling and misdirected human efforts. Reed's humor is laced with insight, his descriptions with inspiration, and his characters with God's own love. In the lead story, "The Choir That Couldn't Sing," Reed's description of a hopelessly off-key church choir assembled from eccentrics and misfits will trigger gales of laughter. But tears are sure to flow when readers feel the impact of the choir's humble but grand, accomplishment. The book's other stories come equally alive with humor, insight, and inspiration that demonstrate how the least in the kingdom of heaven can touch the heart of God.




Why Catholics Can't Sing


Book Description

This book is about the culture of American Christianity and what it does to our understanding of God, self, and community as reflected in the way Christians worship.




Ruby Joins the Choir


Book Description




Warm-ups for Changing Voices


Book Description

As any middle school choir director knows, change is the name of the game! A changing voice is just one of countless physiological and emotional changes that middle school students experience. Knowing the general limits of male and female changing voices, as well as the specific capabilities of your students, are two keys to building healthy -- and happy! -- middle school singers. This book is an accessible, must-read resource for any middle-school choir director looking to foster stronger, more capable musicians, and offers 25 warm-up exercises along with customized grade-specific tips for using them along with free access to accompanying audio recordings--Publisher's description.







Inspiration for the Choir


Book Description

In the rush to prepare for weekly rehearsals, does it sometimes seem as if your choir isn't always focused on why they are there? Inspiration For The Choir offers 40 attention-getting devotions that are a wonderful way to precede the warm-up and start the rehearsal on an inspirational note. Each includes a brief story expounding on a musical or seasonal topic and concludes with a short prayer. This collection is a great way to increase your choir's commitment to God. After all, the choir is just a part of the overall proclamation of the gospel! You'll laugh at the humorous anecdotes ... while deepening your faith. Pithy, practical, and also provocative. These devotionals help to focus the choir singers' thoughts at the beginning of a rehearsal. I have heard them used -- they are effective! Marvin McKissick Associate Professor of Music Azusa Pacific University Dr. Wilkins brings his 50 years experience as a choral director to this charming devotional. Choir members will immediately relate to the often amusing and always faith-based anecdotes. Hartley F. Lee Pastor, Our Saviour's Lutheran Church Long Beach, California I strongly recommend Fred Wilkins' spiritual Inspiration For The Choir. As a long-time choral conductor and choir member, I can easily relate to the many musical and extra-musical adventures in the choir stalls and rehearsal room. Wilkins has balanced the profound with the practical in ways that are enlightening and entertaining. Kenneth Sanson Past President, Los Angeles Chapter Choral Conductors Guild Fred H. Wilkins has served many southern California churches as a choral director, organist, and tenor soloist. He received his doctorate in counseling psychology from the University of Southern California, and also has completed all the coursework for a D.M.A. in church music.




Runners


Book Description

Shy Jon Perone is just getting by when an incident introduces him to the world of running. When he meets pretty Jennifer Carling, a new student in his school, he falls for her, hard. Overcoming his fear of everyone and everything to be in her life, he joins the track team and excels. Jennifer rewards his effort when she asks him to teach her how to run. However, a web of deceit and neglect rules Jennifer's life and snares Jon, ill equipped to handle both his emotions and the downward spiraling situations. Can Jon overcome the barriers of innocence, youth, and fear to succeed in life and find happiness with Jennifer? You'll have to read RUNNERS to find out.




The Rise of Gospel Blues


Book Description

Most observers believe that gospel music has been sung in African-American churches since their organization in the late 1800s. Yet nothing could be further from the truth, as Michael W. Harris's history of gospel blues reveals. Tracing the rise of gospel blues as seen through the career of its founding figure, Thomas Andrew Dorsey, Harris tells the story of the most prominent person in the advent of gospel blues. Also known as "Georgia Tom," Dorsey had considerable success in the 1920s as a pianist, composer, and arranger for prominent blues singes including Ma Rainey. In the 1930s he became involved in Chicago's African-American, old-line Protestant churches, where his background in the blues greatly influenced his composing and singing. Following much controversy during the 1930s and the eventual overwhelming response that Dorsey's new form of music received, the gospel blues became a major force in African-American churches and religion. His more than 400 gospel songs and recent Grammy Award indicate that he is still today the most prolific composer/publisher in the movement. Delving into the life of the central figure of gospel blues, Harris illuminates not only the evolution of this popular musical form, but also the thought and social forces that forged the culture in which this music was shaped.




The Choir Director


Book Description

SOON TO BE A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE New York Times bestselling author Carl Weber takes readers back to church—where preaching isn’t always enough . . . Bishop T.K. Wilson has done all he can to make First Jamaica Ministries a success. But with his last choir director getting caught in a scandal, attendance and cash flow are down. To fill the pews and collection plates, Bishop is counting on a new choir director, the charismatic Aaron Mackie, to revive the church. Aaron has been waiting his entire life to prove he has what it takes to be a big-time choir director. But his ways around women, past and present, could cost him more than his job. Soon, the Bishop is dealing with in-fighting, jealousies, and personal vendettas. But a final piece of the puzzle has yet to be revealed: Someone has been robbing the church blind. Someone whose connection to the Bishop is far too close for comfort . . . CATCH UP WITH BISHOP T.K. WILSON AND CHURCH MEMBERS IN THESE BOOKS So You Call Yourself a Man The First Lady Up to No Good The Choir Director