Church Music

How to Create Virtual Choir Recordings with Soundtrap

How to Create Virtual Choir Recordings with Soundtrap

There's been a lot of talk this year about virtual choirs.

For those who have the technical skills and the time (read: hours) to commit to it, virtual choir videos can be a fun and meaningful project to work on with your choir.

But for everyone else—the directors without Logic Pro X and Final Cut and hours and hours to devote to editing—is there a simpler way?

Is there a way to keep your choir singing together during this time without having to spend a lot of time and money producing fancy virtual choir videos?

The short answer: yes.

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36 Children’s Choir Anthems by Women Composers

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36 Children’s Choir Anthems by Women Composers

Today, I’m sharing a collection of children’s choir anthems composed by women.

After all, March is Women’s History Month and over the years, it’s also become a time to celebrate women in music.

If you’re looking for some inspiration for your planning this year and seeking ways to include more diversity in the voices you share and represent, here are 36 children’s choir anthems written by women composers to help you get started.

48 Anthems by Women Composers (3-part + SATB)

48 Anthems by Women Composers (3-part + SATB)

Today, I’m sharing a collection of church choir anthems composed by women. After all, March is Women’s History Month and over the years, it’s also become a time to celebrate women in music.

If you’re looking for some inspiration for your planning this year and seeking ways to include more diversity in the voices you share and represent, here are 48 titles written by women composers to help you get started.

How to Host a Virtual Christmas Party for Your Choir

How to Host a Virtual Christmas Party for Your Choir

This year, things look a little different.

The Christmas Eve service will be a little smaller, a little simpler, and maybe completely virtual, with choir members scattered and singing from their homes.

The children’s Christmas Pageant will be presented via Zoom with an array of virtual backgrounds (no really, here’s a virtual Christmas pageant kit).

And the annual choir Christmas party? Well, that’s going to be different, too.

But don’t let a global pandemic keep you from celebrating the season with your singers! You can still have a (virtual) Christmas party even if you aren’t able to gather together in person.

8 Skills That Set You Apart as a Church Musician

8 Skills That Set You Apart as a Church Musician

A career in church music and ministry requires a variety of skills:

  • Performance skills: playing for worship and accompanying choirs, instrumentalists, and congregational singing. It sometimes includes harmonizing melodies, improvising, transposing, and even composing some of your own service music from time to time.

  • Leadership skills: choosing music that ties in with the rest of the service, perhaps selecting hymns each week, and leading the congregation in song.

  • Educational skills: introducing a variety of musical styles into worship, teaching new hymns or songs to the congregation, and if you’re directing an ensemble, teaching music-reading, rhythm, technique, musical expression, and aural skills.

How Can We Keep From Singing?

How Can We Keep From Singing?

Has there ever been a moment in history when we were told we couldn’t sing?

For centuries (millenniums, even) we as a people have found singing to be a symbol of hope, community, and joy; a tool of reconciliation, justice, and peace. And now, in this season of isolation, we recognize that music can still bring us together even when we can’t be together.

But what about singing?

Now is the time we need music the most. And yet, we’re told that it’s not safe to sing together. That singing poses a greater risk than talking, whispering, or staying silent.

How will we respond to this moment?

Music by Black Composers: Art Songs & Spirituals for Solo Voice

Music by Black Composers: Art Songs & Spirituals for Solo Voice

Over the last several weeks, I’ve been compiling repertoire lists by Black composers for use in worship and sacred settings. So far, I’ve published lists of sacred organ music, 2- and 3-part sacred choral anthems, and SATB sacred choral anthems.

Today, I’m sharing Part 4 in this series: art songs & spirituals for solo voice.

This list includes familiar spirituals and new compositions by composers such as Harry T. Burleigh, Edward Boatner, Undine Smith Moore, Rosephanye Powell, Uzee Brown, Jr., H. Leslie Adams, Florence Price, and many more.

Music by Black Composers: 108 Sacred Choral Anthems (SATB)

Music by Black Composers: 108 Sacred Choral Anthems (SATB)

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been compiling repertoire lists by Black composers for use in worship and sacred settings. So far, I’ve published lists of sacred organ music and 2- and 3-part sacred choral anthems.

This week, I’m excited to share Part 3 in this series: 108 sacred choral anthems for SATB choir.

This repertoire list includes familiar spirituals as well as new compositions by Black composers in the 20th and 21st centuries. You’ll find 40 sacred octavos and links to three SATB collections for a total of over 100 anthems to use with your choir in the future.

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Music by Black Composers: 34 Sacred Choral Anthems (2- and 3-Part)

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Music by Black Composers: 34 Sacred Choral Anthems (2- and 3-Part)

Last week, I shared the first post in a new series I’m putting together this summer: Music by Black Composers: 105 Sacred Works for Organ.

As I mentioned in that post, I believe it’s important to listen and learn from the African-American and Black community during this time, to ask ourselves: Are we honoring all the voices that have contributed to our field? Are we celebrating the diversity of composers in addition to diversity in styles?

If you work with a children’s choir or youth choir or are looking for a few simple pieces by Black composers to introduce to your adult choir in the future, here’s a list of anthems to get you started.

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Announcing the 2020 Summer Session

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Announcing the 2020 Summer Session

Last week marked the end of the school year (and 12 weeks of online teaching) and the start of something new. A simpler schedule, a slower pace, a season to plan and prepare for what’s next.

What is next?

For many of us, there’s still a lot of uncertainty about what the next few months will hold. Will we return to in-person teaching? Will schools and churches reopen? Will it be safe to sing together, play together, be together?

We don’t have the answers just yet. But what we do have is an opportunity to plan and prepare.

Follow along with my creative work and daily adventures: @ashleydanyew

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