Prelude Blog

A Healthier Holiday Perspective

Posted on Dec 1, 2022 9:00:00 AM by Sarah Hawbecker in Music Ministry, in Advent, in Christmas

There are certain seasons that are inherently stressful, and we are currently in one of them. There were Christmases past in which it was difficult for me to keep the proper perspective. I felt overworked and underappreciated, and the added pressures I put on myself to have a beautifully decorated home and provide a “perfect” holiday for my family only produced feelings of personal failure and silent resentment toward others whom I believed had it easier than I. Does this sound vaguely familiar to anyone?

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Rethinking the Role of the Children's Choir in Worship

Posted on Apr 26, 2022 9:00:00 AM by Andrea Baxter in Children Ministry, in Music Ministry, in children

Theologian and teacher Marva Dawn once said that children are the fingers and toes of the body of Christ that Paul describes in 1 Corinthians. The metaphor works beautifully for many reasons, not least of which is the wiggling nature of both fingers/toes and children. Dawn’s point was to drive home the importance of children in the worshiping body; children bring unique characteristics of innocence, openness, joy, playfulness, and enthusiasm, among others. When those qualities are missing in worship, the body is not whole.

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All Creation Sings Hymns and Songs Available as Anthems

Posted on Apr 19, 2022 9:00:00 AM by Augsburg Fortress in Hymnody, in Music Ministry, in music, in All Creation Sings

Many of the hymns and songs from All Creation Sings, our new worship and song supplement, are available as choral anthems, either from Augsburg Fortress or from other music publishers. As publishers of All Creation Sings, Augsburg Fortress staff have curated a helpful listing of almost fifty anthems in various voicings and styles.

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This Is the Night! The Vigil of Easter

Posted on Mar 3, 2022 9:00:00 AM by Chris Cherwien in Music Ministry, in Easter, in Lent

This is the night! The Vigil of Easter is the heart of our celebration of the Three Days and the pinnacle of the church’s year. We gather around a pillar of fire, hear ancient stories of our faith, welcome new siblings in Christ at the font, and share food and drink. We proclaim Christ crucified and risen!

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Psalm-Based Organ Music for Lent

Posted on Feb 10, 2022 9:00:00 AM by Sarah Hawbecker in Hymnody, in Music Ministry, in Lent, in Psalms

I take great care in selecting my organ preludes and postludes for each Sunday. A prelude prepares the gathered community for worship. Whether the listener prays, reflects, or simply listens, they are still an active participant, and, as such, I believe they deserve the best the musician can give them. Likewise, the postlude, as the last thing they hear on the way out of church, is an opportunity to lift their spirits as they reflect on the worship that just ended and prepare to go about their week.

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Discovering Baptismal Connections in the Church Calendar

Posted on Jan 6, 2022 9:00:00 AM by Omaldo Perez in Hymnody, in Music Ministry

A few months ago, I was struck by a bit of information: I learned trees in a forest are connected and “speak” to each other using the mycorrhizal network under the soil. The exchange of chemicals between mycelium and trees—as well as their symbiotic relationship—as it turned out, form a beautiful, vibrant, and interdependent community.

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Thanking Your Volunteer Musicians

Posted on Dec 2, 2021 9:00:00 AM by Sarah Hawbecker in Music Ministry, in gratitude

How do you thank your music volunteers? The gifts they give are quite precious. Not even considering their varying talents, the hours alone they give are almost innumerable. Some churches honor their volunteer musicians with a special event at the end of the choir season. Perhaps you write special holiday cards or acknowledge individual birthdays.

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Drawing from the Well of Inspiration

Posted on Nov 9, 2021 9:00:00 AM by Omaldo Perez in Hymnody, in Music Ministry, in writing, in music

“Anybody can write . . . that is easy, but to write with a specific audience in mind, using the right amount of amusement and persuasion, to address them in a manner that is relevant and insightful, while offering practical advice in a convivial manner—that is not within everybody’s power and is not easy.”

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Routine Relieves Anxiety

Posted on Sep 16, 2021 9:00:00 AM by Andrea Baxter in Music Ministry, in COVID-19, in Coronavirus, in music

One year, I went to a workshop led by the guru of all things having to do with children’s choirs in the church, Helen Kemp. Helen said something simple that rocked my world that year. She said, “Routine relieves anxiety.” In fact, she had a big, beautiful poster with those words that I can still see in my mind’s eye. Helen already knew what I would soon learn and put into practice. When children know what to expect—when they know that the routine of the rehearsal will include things like sitting in a seat labeled with their name; a sung, responsive roll call; a warm-up; a hymn; anthems; then a closing prayer, for example—they come to rehearsal without fear of the unknown. This healthy, predictable environment provides a safe place to be open and learn.

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Lessons from the Exile of the Pandemic

Posted on Jul 13, 2021 9:00:00 AM by Omaldo Perez in Music Ministry

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children.” Deuteronomy 6:4-7

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