|
May
07
2012
|
|
Posted 1 years 43 days ago ago by Bob Burroughs  3 Comments
|
|
1 likes  
 
Quote
“All musicians start out with high ideals, but hanging on to them in the face of scrutiny takes real integrity.” Billy Bragg
Scripture
Love and trust form a good leader; sound leadership is founded on loving integrity. Proverbs 20:22 (The MESSAGE Bible)
Prayer
There are times, Dear Abba/Papa/Lord/Master and Friend, that our lives seem to go off course and we find ourselves looking in on life from the outside. It is difficult these days to even survive in some situations. The economy, the dismissals without true cause, difficult family or spouse relationships and more all tend to get in the way of personal and public integrity. Without true integrity, a person loses much of their persona. I pray today for all Your Servants whom You have called to Yourself and who need a refresher course in the life to which You have called us. Let us not grow weary of doing good. I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, who lived with integrity and passed it along to His followers. Amen, and Amen.
Integrity
This is #5 in an issue of USA TODAY article that dealt with the TEN VALUE SKILLS that are the most important in today's society and world - skills that are important when employers are hiring and churches are looking for when bringing on a new pastor or staff member.
I have asked several good friends to take each of these Value Skills and write a brief comment about each one in issues of MME. The fifth value skill is Integrity, written by the well-known composer/arranger/pianist, and my good friend, Kurt Kaiser. Kurt is retired, living in Durango,Colorado, enjoying life in a much slower way these days, but his vast experience in music ministry and beyond gives him authority concerning integrity.
Someone once said: "Integrity is doing the right thing--even when no one is watching." Integrity is a very complex subject--there seems to be so many ramifications in this word as it relates to us.
We are not born with integrity. It is something that we learn in our pilgrimage. We strive to teach it to our children. As parents, we often fall short of having enough integrity; yet it seems quite strange how we almost innately know who has it, and who doesn't.
Certainly words alone have little meaning if they are not followed by example, though maintaining a good example is not always easy. Every day, integrity may be called into question. Though honesty is an important aspect of integrity, it alone is not enough.
Integrity is one of the most important and oft-cited of virtue terms. It is also perhaps the most puzzling.
Within religions, some achieve integrity by killing others in the name of a religion. Christian missionaries, who are sharing the love of Christ, often dare not share their faith overtly because the Christian religion is verboten. I wonder if it isn't difficult to hide their faith while at the same time sharing it. As I ponder this, my answer would be that missionaries are respecting the laws of the country where they serve; yet at the same time, they are sharing the love of Christ by example.
A few years ago, along with several other people, I received an award from the CASA conference in California. One of the other recipients receiving the award had spent his life smuggling Bibles into foreign countries. Should we call that integrity? I don't know the answer, but I am sure God's Smuggler had resolved the dilemma in his own heart.
When used as a virtue, integrity refers to a person's character; however there are other uses of the term, especially in music. A musical work may be said to have integrity when its musical structure has a certain completeness that is not intruded upon by uncoordinated, unrelated musical ideas; that is, when it possesses a kind of musical wholeness. Certainly the Bach B Minor Mass has integrity. It has stood and will continue to stand the test of time.
To me, integrity in music, means this: knowing the rules. Often, I am asked by other people to critique music, only to find that it was written by someone who obviously did not know the rules of music. Not learning and using the rules tends to cheapen the art. Those who choose not to learn the basic rules and continue to compose music that has little integrity continue to contribute to a great wellspring of mediocrity. Once one knows the rules, they can be broken to accommodate the art.
What think ye
Leadership
Coaching
Let the wise listen and add to learning, and let the discerning get guidance. - Proverbs 1:5
Great leaders…are great learners!
Learning also assumes an “attitude of submission,” and submission isn’t something with which every leader is comfortable. Early in our leadership lives, we were sure we already knew everything there was to know and all we needed was the opportunity to prove it. Remember??
If you, as a leader, are not teachable, you are not coachable. The problem is obvious, isn’t it? The younger we are, the more we think we know and the less likely we are to genuinely place ourselves. under the influence is a leadership coach or mentor. This statement is especially true if we view ourselves as more capable, more passionate and/or more talented than the people around us!
Solomon is considered the wisest man who ever lived. All through his writings, he emphasized that wisdom will seek counsel. A wise person knows his limitations. Only a fool believes he has none!
Here are a few of Solomon’s thoughts on seeking counsel – or a leadership coach/mentor:
-
The way of the fools seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice. Proverbs 12:15
-
Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers, they succeed. Proverbs 15:22
-
Listen to advice and accept instruction, and the end, you will be wise. Proverbs 19:20
It is a known fact—from many pages of history:
Abuse your position as a leader
and you will lose those you lead!
Remember this: nobody has to follow you. You cannot force people to follow. You may be able to coerce them into submission because of your authority and/or power, but you can never force them to be loyal followers!
© 2012 Creator Magazine All Rights Reserved
3 Comments
-
bob burroughs
1 years 41 days ago
0 likes
-
Brad Kisner
1 years 42 days ago
0 likes
A friend once gave me a list of things with this one that I always remember.... Reputation is what you have when you come to a new place.... Character is what you have when you leave. I think this goes right along with integrity.
Reply
-
Douglas Lawrence
1 years 42 days ago
-8 likes
Great stuff as always, Bob! You have talked about an issue which is vital to the success of our music ministries. I'm convening with 30 other music/worship people this week and I will make sure that they read this!
Reply
Add Comment
Bob Burroughs'
Most Popular Articles
Integrity Integrity is a character trait without equal. It is something that grows with age - and can be lost in a heartbeat. Guard it well. 58911 Views 3 Comments Should a Director Sing with Their Choir? Bob Burroughs addresses one of the most worst habits a choir director can have, and why the habit needs to be broken: A conductor should listen carefully and work out problems that are missed while trying to conduct and sing a solo concert at the same time. 9455 Views 14 Comments The Lamp of Excellence Bob Burroughs explains why keeping the Lamp of Excellence burning is a good thing for ministry. 9009 Views 20 Comments Building a Praise Team 6 Rules for building a successful praise team from noted worship leader Joe Glass 8614 Views 0 Comments Starting Over Bob Burroughs talks about starting over in ministry 5387 Views 2 Comments
|
|
New Product Reviews
For more information about these materials, just click on the titles. Enjoy!
Anthems
Lillenas has provided MME readers with four very nice pieces for the upcoming Christmas Season. Now, you can get into the Christmas Spirit early! Click on each octavo cover to be taken directly to the website where you may hear & see each piece!
This Holy Night with O Holy Night!, New text by Claire Cloninger; new music by Gary Rhodes and arranged by Rhodes; Orchestration by Tim Cates; SATB, Keyboard, Optional Congregation; Octavo #978-0-8341-8197-7; $1.75; Orchestration: 7-65762-15552-7 - $74.99
 The opening 36 measures contains some very delightful new music and text by two of our best-known writers! Rhodes' key change at measure 5 will leave you breathless--it did me, going from Ab to C is so seamless, you are surprised by the freshness after four measure of Ab! His choral scoring is flawless. The new text is also striking and typical Cloninger--right to the point. Measure 37 brings choir and optional congregation to the beloved and very familiar "O Holy Night." The keyboard writing is so comfortable and enhances the chorals. Orchestration absolute makes this piece, but if no orchestra, the keyboard can handle it. At m. 63, the choir breaks out into four parts. There is a return to m. 63 for the second stanza, so the congregation might sing stanza one and the choir stanza two - or both sing both! The ending is surprising, with choir and instrumentation slowing and ending at dynamic mp. This one is a winner!
Son of God, Son of Man words/music by Phil Mehrens and arranged and Optional Orchestrated by Steve W. Mauldin; SATB, Keyboard; Octavo #978-0-8341-8196-0; $1.75; Orchestration: #7-65762-20360-0; $79.99
 Mehrens has provided a very lovely text/tune that will make a nice inclusion into a Christmas concert or worship experience. The chorus is teachable so the congregation could sing along, if desired (and after teaching it to them before a performance.) The anthem opens with "Ladies" - but a nice, deep Alto soloist would also work here. There are three key changes: F to G to Ab - nicely done. I loved the ending. It does work very well. If you are looking for a low key Christmas piece that is gentle, quiet and moving, this is the one.
LIVE SONG!, Two Contemporary A Cappella Arrangements for Christmas: Joy to the World, and O Come, O Come Emmanuel. Arranged by David Wise; SATB (Divisi), Good soloists required! Octavo #978-0-8341-8222-6; $2.99; Split Track CD: 7-65762-15822-1; $29.99
 Ok - raise your hands out there in MME land if you remember a cappella groups like Regeneration… GLAD…Truth (sometimes a cappella)…Take Six and First Call? Ah! I thought some of you would 'fees up! If you like that kind of really close harmony--I mean really tight chords, and like hearing the group at times sing "dum, dum, dum, bah," thrill at what can be done creatively to very familiar Christmas carols, and you have a really good soloist or two that can improvise a bit and shake things up, then you are in for such a major treat.
David Wise has provided a very unique product for groups that wish to stretch a bit higher than the "norm" and challenge themselves to reach way, way up top a new level…such really good Praise Teams, ensembles, high school or university show choirs…this list can go on as long as there are groups who can do this kind of music! LIVE SONG is 31 pages long! "Joy" is 21 pages and "O Come" is the remaining 10 pages. These are in open score, so there is NO keyboard part. Best solution would be to get the CD, with vocal-split Track. Your group will need to at least hear these once or twice to get the feel and concept.
These two pieces are NOT for the faint of heart, the musically challenged or a senior adult group! Even if you have to hand-pick 8/12 singers, it will be worth it! You'd best get these two now and begin work in August, so that maybe--just maybe, your group will have them down by December. These are great for worship, of course, but they would be great in concert, malls, schools, or wherever people appreciate the "cut above" kind of group! Go for it.
Come On, It's Christmas!, Words/Music by David T. Clydesdale; Arranged and orchestrated by David T. Clydesdale; SATB, Keyboard; Optional Orchestration- 7-65762-20930-5 - $79.99 ; Octavo #978-0-8341-8223-3 - $1.85
 This 19-page work is purely Clydesdale - first class in every way! David continues to amaze with his creativity, orchestration, and keyboard writing. It sounds to easy to do - and I know differently, as do you!!! AND…this piece is a real bargain for $1.85.
It is set in a subtle "Latin feel" and contains new music as well as such familiar pieces as "Jingle Bells," "Jolly Old St. Nicholas," and "Deck the Halls." David's new music hold the piece together in such a delightful way! This great music for Christmas banquets, off-campus concerts, school concerts as well as incorporated into the Living Christmas Tree or Christmas music celebrations. You will not go wrong with this delightful piece. Great work, David!
New Product
Noel & Alleluia! Jesus is Born! - A Christmas Celebration for Every Choir Created and Arranged by Tom Fettle; Orchestrated by Russell Mauldin; Narration: Clair Cloninger; SATB, Keyboard; Book: #978-0-8341-8179-3 - $6.99 ; Orchestration: #7-65762-20210-8 - $350.00; CD Split and Stereo also available
 Tom Fettke is one of the best-known names in the art of composing and arranging for the church and beyond. His creativity and God-given musical gifts soar in almost everything he writes and his music has a way of touching the inner soul, such as his great composition, Majesty & Glory.
His unique skill translates into this new work that is now available from Lillenas for your choir(s) to enjoy. Tom incorporates his own original music and teams with such well known writers as Michael W. Smith, David Hamilton, Keith & Kristyn Getty, and Johannes Brahms to bring together a celebration of Christmas your choir and people will not soon forget.
My favorite in the work is the "Advent Carol of the Bells," which incorporates the music of Leontovych's "Carol of the Bells" with Tom's original music - and much of the familiar melody is in the accompaniment and orchestration! It it so delightful and will bring a smile to the faces of those who know this time-honored piece - creatively done with the Fettke magic.
Claire Cloninger's moving narration brings freshness to the age-old Christmas story. The work is medium to medium-easy, and is really a work, as the title says, A Christmas Celebration for Every Choir. This iwork s worthy of your attention!
Conferences
If you only have budget funds for one conference this year, look no further! The Alleluia - Many Voices - One Song Conference, sponsored by Baylor University School of Music, Waco, Texas is probably the most inclusive and defining conference you will ever attend. Dates are July 17-20 - and it is a 'must attend' event!
What is offered? Many, many opportunities!
Leadership Training - Baylor University, Texas Baptists, Celebrating Grace Hymnal, ChoristersGuild, and YouthCUE provide outstanding clinicians to lead daily training sessions in organ, piano, church music ministry, conducting, children's choir, handbells, worship, and more.
Reading Sessions - There will be 9 hours of choral music reading sessions. This is the only conference of its kind to have a full orchestra play on a reading session! The reading sessions will be led by experienced composers and will include music specifically chosen for this event. Many music ministers are able to get all the anthems their church will need for their entire year from attending the Reading Sessions.
Worship - The numerous worship services enrich the conference by offering opportunities for ministers to sit back and worship without worrying about the details.
Fellowship - Renewing friendships and meeting new people are strengths of this event. Whether sharing a meal or browsing the exhibits, you will be inspired from four days with other church musicians.
Lunch with Composers - Conferees will have opportunities to engage with composers and each during meal time discussions. Limited to 20 people each, the discussions will offer close-up interactive opportunities.
Evening Concerts - Alleluia also features concerts which are open to the public. The Tuesday evening concert at 5:30 will be the Youth Choir, St. Luke's United Methodist Church, Houston, directed by Sid Davis. The Wednesday evening session will be an all-conference choir, led by Lynne Gackle.
Exhibits - Exhibitors will display current materials and supplies for church music ministry. Materials ranging from children's choir to the latest anthems will be available for purchase. Pine Lake Music will be the official music supplier for this event.
There you have it…a conference worthy of your participation! You may register online! Go. Do it!
Bits 'n Pieces
Integrity is a character trait without equal. It is something that grows with age - and can be lost in a heartbeat. Guard it well
Bob Burroughs
© 2012 Creator Magazine All Rights Reserved
|