Even though I haven’t been in active music leadership during most of the pandemic, I’ve still learned many things, including how much support the many facets of the church provided us when we needed it most. Help came from colleagues, teamwork between churches, seminars, national United Church support, licensing agencies...
We recently surveyed some Music United members and found that two methods seemed to be used the most: spreadsheets (in Excel or Google Sheets) or a table in a document (in Word or Google Docs). However, we think that LibraryThing or a little database built in Microsoft Access would work...
In 2019, Emmanuel College partnered with GIA Publications to produce the Emmanuel College Music Series imprint. According to the website, this innovative peer-reviewed publication seeks to empower composers and arrangers to substantiate their craft in an academic environment. In addition to excellent technique, musicianship, and style, this series emphasizes the pedagogical value...
If you are looking for hymns for Earth Day or for Wild/Forest Church, or for services with a creation theme, then look no further! Our full communion partner, The United Church of Christ in the United States, has posted a wonderfully curated list of hymns called “Sing for the Earth”.
Looking for Canadian music for handbells? Look no further! The newly launched Handbell Musicians of Canada (HMC) has a new list up on their website. You will find their compositions spreadsheet under Resources. This is a list I built for a presentation at the International Handbell Symposium in Vancouver in...
Some of the most memorable moments I’ve spent with musicians of various churches where I’ve worked has been away from the church itself—on tour or at a retreat. Don’t get me wrong, the time spent at the church is really valuable in many ways, but you sure get to know...
During the COVID-19 pandemic, there were so many questions about music use and copyright. One License is one of the agencies that assists with obtaining copyright permission for thousands of congregational hymns, songs, and service music. The costs are reasonable, usually based upon the requirement of the request, or, for...
by John Eliot Gardiner London: The Penguin Group (Allen Lane), 2013 How does one tackle a book about a composer whom so many have already written about? You must read Music in the Castle of Heaven to explore the rich subject matter from the perspective of one of the world’s...
I was just reading an article in the Spring 2021 edition of the University of Alberta Alumni magazine, New Trail, and a couple of headlines caught my attention, which then gave me food for thought for this issue of Gathering on ongoing racism in the church. It feels like there...
The word affirming can have several meanings depending on context, but the definition can include: 1) stating a fact, 2) asserting strongly, and 3) offering someone support or encouragement. In the United Church context, we first started using the term affirming to mean the inclusion of all people of all...
