I Hear the Prophet Callin'

I have started preparations for our annual Christmas Concert this year.  We have a wonderful church choir.  We average about 20 people for year round Sunday morning specials.  For special services, Christmas, Easter, Patriotic, Thanksgiving, Choir Concerts, we may have 30 or more.  This is GREAT for a volunteer choir.  I and our church are very blessed to have such a great group of singers.  I feel that we have one of the best choirs in our area. 

Having just come off of our August choral concert, "Songs for the Soul", we started working on our Christmas Cantata at the end of August.  You might say early, but when I only have about a 1 hour rehearsal a week, time slips by fast with only 16 rehearsals.  I actually picked out this years Cantata last Christmas. 

Last year was my first time as the Choir Director / Music Minister at our church, and I wanted to perform something that was a little more traditional but beautiful.  We performed Joel Raney's "The Promise of Light".  It was a beautiful piece for the choir to perform.  With this year's piece, "I Hear the Prophet Callin'" by Pepper Choplin, it is unlike anything we have performed before ( I would know because I have also been a member of this church since 1992, before becoming the Music Minister).  The music has a very folksy / appalachian type feel to it.  Lots of lovely minor harmonies, and instruments that you do not hear all the time.

Here is a link to the page.  You can listen to some of the songs and narrations used in this wonderful Cantata, http://www.lorenz.com/product.aspx?id=65%2f2005L.





Here is the link to "The Promise of Light", by Joel Raney that we performed Christmas 2009.  http://www.hopepublishing.com/html/main.isx?sub=31&workid=3030
You can also listen to excerpts there as well.



Here we are, it is not even Halloween yet, and we are practicing Christmas Music.  But guess what?  I am also looking for an Easter Musical now also.  I have my family so confused with all of the music going around.  I hate to wait to the last minute, and want to be prepared.  When Christmas is over, we will have about 14-16 rehearsals to get ready for Easter.  On top of all of our regular service music that we will be learning to keep things fresh and new. 

While we are at it, here is this past years Easter Musical.
http://www.wordmusic.com/item/080689423178 LOOK TO THE LAMB, Created & Arranged by Tom Fettke, Orchestrated by Russell Mauldin, Narrations by Deborah Craig-Claar.  Sound clips also available. 


If you are looking for some wonderful pieces for your choir to perform, I would recommend all 3 of these. 

And, once I have Easter picked out, I will let you know... and then Memorial Day...and Mothers Day... Fathers Day...4th of July.....  I better slow down.  I don't want to wear the choir out.

Let me know if you have seen or been involved in any musicals that you recommend I should take a look at.

 
   

Halloween Request

Well, My little one has put in her request for this year's outfit. 


We have done the Lobster.







The Fancy French Hen.







The Peacock.




And Now....  Drum Roll Please......................





The Tree Frog.






Sophia has been fascinated with The Princess and the Frog Movie since we took her on her birthday last year opening day.  So I took advantage of that and made my version of a Tiana Dress for her to wear to Disney when we went.  She loved it and was a hit.  Now she wants a frog costume, but not the movie frogs.  She wants to be a tree frog, but not just the ordinary tree frog.  a Purple Tree frog with red eyes, and pink and blue spots.  So we hit up Hancock Fabrics when they had their anniversary 53% off sale and purchased the required colors in fleece.  I will be drafting a tree frog costume in the next couple of weeks.  Pictures and production photos to follow.

What interesting Halloween costumes have you been requested to make for your friends and family? 
Any photos? 
Suggestions to make a great tree frog?  

Happy Sewing!