SONG LEADING MATERIALS

SUGGESTED MATERIALS FOR DIRECTING CHURCH MUSIC

[Distributed by Way of Life Literature's Fundamental Baptist Information Service. Copyright 1998. These articles cannot be stored on BBS or Internet sites without permission from the author. The articles cannot be sold or placed by themselves or with other material in any electronic format for sale, but may be distributed for free by e-mail or by print. They must be left intact and nothing removed or changed, including these informational headers. This is a listing for Fundamental Baptists and other fundamentalist, Bible-believing Christians. Our goal is not devotional. OUR PRIMARY PURPOSE IS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO ASSIST PREACHERS IN THE PROTECTION OF THE CHURCHES IN THIS APOSTATE HOUR. If you desire to receive this type of material on a regular basis, e-mail us, tell us who you are and where you are located, and request to be placed on the list. Also include your postal address and the name of the church of which you are a member. Please note that we take up a quarterly offering to fund this ministry, and you will be expected to participate. Some of these articles are from the "Digging in the Walls" section of O Timothy magazine. David W. Cloud, Editor. O Timothy is a monthly magazine in its 14th year of publication. Subscription is $20/yr. The Way of Life web site is http://www.wayoflife.org/. The End Times Apostasy Online Database is located at this web site.]

January 10, 1998 (David W. Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061-0368, fbns@wayoflife.org) - Recently a pastor wrote to us for information on materials he might use to help train a man for song leading, and we sent out a notice asking for suggestions from our readers. The following are the resources which I have dug out of my own library and which I have found in recent days, plus some which have brought to my attention by our readers. I have not yet been able to examine all of these materials, but I will list them and will note the information I have on them. As is usually the case, some good resources are out of print, but they might be obtainable from a used book dealer. I have also included some important books which deal with the nature of spiritual (and worldly) music, because one of the most important qualifications for a church music director is that he have keen knowledge and discernment of what is and is not spiritual music. This is more important than his technical qualifications.

It is important that those in charge of music in a church be continually educated on this topic so they can be prepared to inform church members and to make decisions about new music which is cropping up and finding its way in our congregations. In response to the note I sent out for suggestions from our readers about good material for training song leaders, one man wrote that those who need training aren’t qualified, that if God gifts a man to lead music, he won’t need training. That is a strange idea, to say the least. God gifts pastors to lead churches, but He requires also that they be trained properly (2 Tim. 2:2; Titus 1:9), and a good pastor will be educating himself further every day of his life. The same should be true for one called to minister the Word of God through music. The following materials are not merely for novices. I have a background in music. I played first chair first section clarinet through most of my junior and senior high school years, took private lessons some of those years, and was invited to join the Lakeland Symphony Orchestra (Lakeland, Florida) my last year of high school. At Bible school I took training in song leading and I led music in a church for a couple of years. Through the years since then I have read many books on the topic of music. Even so, I learned a lot from going through the following materials pertaining to church music directing and I would encourage those who are involved in this field to continually educate and re-educate yourselves with such materials.

******MATERIALS FOR MUSIC DIRECTING******

BEGINNING SONG LEADING TECHNIQUES by Steve Attaway. This video production is well done and the music used as samples is excellent. There is an introduction to musical notes, demonstrations for leading various types of music (2,3,4,6, and 9 beats), and various pointers for church song leading. At-A-Boy Productions, P.O. Box 62, Argyle, TX 76226. (817) 464-3149. Please note that it is possible that Attaway has changed his musical styles since first producing this video, and we cannot guarantee that he currently promotes sound Christian music.

CHORAL DIRECTOR'S REHEARSAL AND PERFORMANCE GUIDE by Lewis Gordon (Parker Publishing Company, West Nyack, New York). This book was described by a reader as follows: "It is easy reading with excellent ideas about working with your group, building their vocal quality (breathing, warming up, etc.). It shows the basic directing patterns and conducting techniques. It also includes a brief description of Music history."

CHURCH MUSIC FOR THE GLORY OF GOD by Urang (Christian Service Foundation, Moline, Illinois). This book is currently out of print.

CORRESPONDENCE MUSIC COURSE by Bryan Dodson. This course includes a video by Christian musician/evangelist Alan Ives. Generations Baptist Mission, R.R. # 2, Box 424, Hunlock Creek, PA. 18621. (717) 542-7442 (voice), (717) 542-5882 (fax), gbm@mail.microserve.net (e-mail).

ESSENTIALS IN CONDUCTING by Gehrkens (Presser). This book is out of print, but it is possible to obtain archival copies for those willing to pay for it. Presser Company, 1 Presser Place, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania 19010. (610) 525-3636 (voice), (610) 527-7841 (fax), presser@presser.com (e-mail), http://www.presser.com (web site).

HOW TO DIRECT MUSIC. A course in church music direction. Swan Productions, 7122 Franklin Rd., Murfreesboro, TN 37128. (615) 904-2156.

LINDSAY TERRY AND CHURCH MUSIC: A MANUAL FOR CHOIR MEMBERS, MUSIC DIRECTORS, AND PASTORS. This is an excellent book by a fundamental Baptist music director with many helpful suggestions for developing a spiritual church music program. Includes information on the concept of church music, various aspects of the choir, fundamentals of conducting, the relationship of the pastor to the music program, Christian music in the home, and effective congregational singing. The book is available from Sword of the Lord, Box 1099, 224 Bridge Ave., Murfreesboro, TN 37130. (800) 247-9673 (orders), 615 893-6700 (voice), 895-7447 (fax), 102657.3622@compuserve.com. I called Brother Lindsay at his home in Texas, and he told me that the book has been revised and is being republished. He can be contacted at Forward Leadership Resources, 3526 Lakeview Parkway, Suite B-230, Rowlett, TX 75088. (800) 874-6359.

THE MINISTRY OF MUSIC by Kenneth W. Osbeck (Kregel Publications). This book covers the history of the development of sacred music, qualifications for a church music director, congregational singing, children's choirs, young people's choirs, senior's choirs, the instrumental program, and the worship service. The author was a teacher at Grand Rapids Baptist College and Seminary and at the Grand Rapids School of the Bible and Music. Kregel Bookstores, P.O. Box 2607, Grand Rapids, MI 49501-2607. (800) 776-0988 (orders), (616) 459-9444 (voice), (888) 873-2665 (fax), http://www.gospelcom.net/kregel/pub.html (web site).

SOFT (ACE) MUSIC COURSE by Accelerated Christian Music (ACE). This is described by a friend as follows: "This would probably be great for most church song leaders. It seems to be a very thorough course designed for a one semester upper level high school elective. Suggested retail price was about $49.90 which includes six PACEs, two score & test keys, and two cassette tapes that go with the course. Almost half of the cost is the tapes; of course, we only keep one or two sets at the school and reuse them for each student." School of Tomorrow, P.O. Box 299000, Lewisville, TX 75029-9000. (972) 315-1776, comments@schooloftomorrow.com (e-mail), http://www.schooloftomorrow.com/ (web site).

SONG LEADERSHIP by Homer Rodeheaver (The Rodeheaver Company). Rodeheaver (1880-1955)was the famous music director and hymn writer who led music for Billy Sunday and William Biederwold, then founded the Summer School of Sacred Music at Winona Lake and the Rodeheaver Hall-Mack Company to publish gospel music. This book is currently out of print.

SONG LEADING AND CHURCH MUSIC by Don Scovill, c/o Ambassador Baptist College, P.O. Box 158, Lattimore, NC 28089. (704)434-0303 (voice). Dr. Scovill is the music at Ambassador Baptist College (founded by Ron Comfort), and this is a practical book on song leading and church music. It contains illustrations.

YOU CAN LEAD SINGING: A SONG LEADER'S MANUAL by Glenn Lehman. Order directly from Lehman at (850) 477-8812. Or order via the web at Amazon Books, P.O. Box 80387, Seattle, WA 98108-0387. (800) 201-7575, info@amazon.com (e-mail), http://www.amazon.com (web site).

VIDEO AND WORKBOOK by Don Woodard, Sr. 3248 India Hook Rd., Rock Hill, SC 29732. (803) 329-4998.

WHAT SHALL WE SING by Christopher Idle. The Fellowship of Word and Spirit, P.O. Box 39, Buxton, Derbyshire England SK17 6PR, U.K.

******MATERIALS ON THE NATURE OF MUSIC******

BATTLE FOR CHRISTIAN MUSIC by Tim Fisher, director of Sacred Music Services, which is dedicated to providing quality sacred recordings and other music related materials for church and home. Fisher strives to maintain a biblical standard of excellence under the authority of God's perfect Word. He stands against the movement identified today as Contemporary Christian Music and seeks to promote a balanced, biblical approach to church music. This excellent and much needed book discusses the nature of worldly vs. spiritual music at great length. It also deals with the performance of Christian music in two chapters entitled "Christlikeness in the Performer’s Life" and "Christlikeness in Performance Practices." In a chapter entitled "The Truth about Luther," Fisher explodes the popular argument that since Luther borrowed from the secular music of his day it is proper to borrow from rock music today. This book has an excellent bibliography which suggests other materials for research on this topic. (Order from Discover Christian Music, 519 Piedmont Golf Course Rd., Piedmont, SC 29673, 800 767-4326.) Tim Fisher also publishes a newsletter entitled CHURCH MUSIC DYNAMICS (order from Sacred Music Services, P.O. Box 17072, Greenville, SC 29606).

GOSPEL MUSIC: BLESSING OR BLIGHT? by Ken Lynch. Evangelist Lynch is an accomplished musician, and his evangelistic ministry has carried him to 45 states and several foreign lands. He was a member of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra prior to entering college in preparation for the ministry. In addition to his studies at Bob Jones University, he has studied with such men as Jerome Wigler of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Edgar Ortenberg of the Settlement Music School in Philadelphia, and Alvin Rudnitsky, a concert violinist formerly from Ardmore, Penn. Ken's violin is an original Luigi Marconcini (a student of the famous Stradiveri) dating 1767. Ken Lynch's important book deals primarily with Contemporary Christian Music. Chapter titles include: Musical definitions, The morality of music, What about Gospel rock? CCM: Alternative or Conformity? The biblical purpose of Christian music, and Guidelines for Gospel Music. Ken Lynch, 1810 Edgmont Ave., Chester, PA 19013.

IS TODAY'S CHRISTIAN MUSIC "SACRED"? by Gordon Sears. "You may not have noticed that the word SACRED is no longer used in connection with gospel music. Perhaps this is because the word 'sacred' means 'holy, consecrated, opposed to profane and secular,' according to Webster's dictionary. ... Separation from the world in music is just as important as any other area of Bible separation." An excerpt from Is Today's Christian Music "Sacred"? Gordon Sears, P.O. Box 182, Coldwater, MI 49036.

LANGUAGE OF MUSIC by Dr. Frank Garlock. This is a six-part video series which deals with the nature of music. It is filled with excellent graphics and musical examples which illustrate the various points. Majesty Music, P.O. Box 6524, Greenville, SC 29606. (800) 334-1071 (orders), (803) 242-6722.

MUSIC IN THE BALANCE by Dr. Frank Garlock and Kurt Woetzel. In our estimation, this 204-page book is one of the best books ever published on the subject of Christian music. The authors, both accomplished musicians, present a wealth of well-researched information as they delve into the complex subject of musical rhythms. Their thesis is that "order in music offers harmony in life." They show how melody, harmony, and rhythm combine together to form spiritual or unspiritual music. "If the body and physical things are a priority in one's life, that person is sensual. If the rhythm is the primary dominating part of any piece of music, then that music is sensual" (p. 65). This book has an excellent bibliography which suggests other materials for research on this topic. Majesty Music, P.O. Box 6524, Greenville, SC 29606. (800) 334-1071 (orders), (803) 242-6722.