Sunday, February 26, 2012

Original artist videos!

AAAIIIEEE!  I have not been blogging because of discouragement!  But this week, you kids were used by God to kick me in the pants and get me back on track!  Thanks for your willingness to listen to God.

Today, you will get to see the original songs from which our songs came!  But first, let's get some business out of the way.

Really great practices this past Wednesday and today.  We've got "Gimme Three Clues" down, so you guys do not need to listen to that one anymore unless you have a solo and you haven't memorized it yet.  Same goes with "Upside Down."  WORK ON YOUR SOLOS AT HOME.  If you need help with it, come on Sunday at 5.  You do not have to come EVERY Sunday unless you have the time to be on the dance team.  But if you haven't got your solo(s) down, you really need to come on Sunday. We do solos from 5-5:30 and dance from 5:30-6.

Also, starting this Wednesday, Miss Karla will be practicing our Palm Sunday song for a few minutes during regular choir practice.  Palm Sunday is Sunday, April 1.  Traditionally in our church, the children's choir sings special music every year.  This year, the Cherub Choir will be the "stars" and we will be their back-up singers.  It is important for these younger kids to see you singing with them.  You are all their "big brothers and sister" in Christ.  You are an example of a Christian kid for them to imitate.  Remember this, because whatever you do, they will also do.  The song is easy to learn and will help them learn about the Easter story which you already know so well.

NOW it is time for the first installment of Original Artist Videos!

Let Us Pray by Steven Curtis Chapman, although this video doesn't seem to have ANYTHING to do with prayer.  It's about getting ready for a concert.  What's up with THAT?

Next is Lynard Skynard's "Gimme Three Steps" from 1976.  Dig all the hair on these dudes:


And last one for this week, still pictures of the incomparable Isley Brothers singing "This Old Heart of Mine:" Unfortunately, there are no videos of this song. :(
More videos next week!
And sorry; I spent so much time on THESE vids that I don't have time to add comics, animal vids, or stand up comedy.  That's on hold until I finish with these videos.



Sunday, February 12, 2012

Are You Really In It?


I'm late; I'm late
For a very important date!
No time to say, "Hello," 
Goodbye, I'm late!

Sorry I'm about 36 hours late with my post.  It wasn't even anything exciting, either, but it had to be done.

Anyway, we had a wonderful practice Wednesday, but we need to see all your faces!  We had to skip at least three songs because a third of the choir wasn't there! I understand you have other activities, but if you are going to miss, you need to practice at home even more than normal.

45 minutes once a week in choir will not result in a powerful message.  Try for fifteen minutes a day with your CD OR 45 minutes on Sat and Sun.  Learn one song completely, then go to the next one, unless it's a solo song. You can see in the script who sings what parts, so you'll know. Is this too much to ask?  Not if we want to be a powerful instrument for God to use.

Instead of "Word Up," we could do a short story with four simple songs that come from a preschool choir book and you wouldn't have to practice much at all. Afterwards, everyone would say, "You were so cute," "That was just precious," and pat you on the head. Is this what God wants of us?

I don't know about you, but what I want to hear is people saying, "God really spoke to me through that song," "I could see God in you," and "Your play makes me want to go out and invite all my friends to our church to see how great Jesus is!" And what I want to KNOW is that God is whooping it up after our play and giving high-fives to the Holy Spirit and Jesus and they're all saying, "That's MY choir.  Those are MY kids."

End of sermon for the week.

Don't forget if you love to dance that practice for our 3-4 dance parts in "Word Up" begins THIS SUNDAY from 5-5:45PM in the kids' choir room. Remember that we have tall, strong girls in this choir so it's better if the dancers are not Cherub Choir kids.  Safety is the first rule in our choir!

I expect everyone to be able to sing along without their books after Spring Break. That week, everyone will get their CD without my squonky voice on it! If you can demonstrate to me BEFORE THEN that you know your part to the songs by singing them IN CHOIR ALONG WITH EVERYONE ELSE and I see you NOT LOOKING at your book, you will get your CD early. Purpose and concentration are also choir rules.

On March 21, we will put away our books for the songs and only use them for the script.  By April 11, NO ONE will be allowed a book at choir.  If you have to practice with the script at home, that's OK.

Top Ten Animal vids, Polar Bear cubs, Peanuts, and Stand-Up Comedy dedicated to Max Dickinson are on the right - check them out!

See you Wednesday!


Saturday, February 4, 2012

Great Practice!

Wednesday, we had a stellar practice. We went over our new Choir Rules (See below), practiced three songs, and discussed the meaning of the first song, Let Us Pray. And I DID remember to pray even without Mary Baxter and Marin to remind me.  Lots of choir members had to miss, but we had a good, solid practice and EVERYONE got candy. Next week we start singing our solos and parts.  Keep practicing with your CDs, especially if you've missed one or two practices. Also, we've had to make some changes in the script due to some kids having too much on their plates this spring, so some of the parts have been pared down or switched.  You will be told of the changes when we get to them in the script at practice.

Parents, the kids are asking to see the blog.  I am so glad you are all careful about what they see online. If they can remember this web address, they can probably kill a good 15-30 minutes with the links if they are in your hair and it's raining outside.

For those of you that were absent, here's an update of the Choir Rules and why we have them, not necessarily in this order:

1. SAFETY: Eat and use the bathroom before choir and stay in the choir room in your seat. We avoid choking, slipping in spills, and we never go anywhere without an adult.
2. RESPECT: No talking out loud unless you raise your hand. If you don't get called, save it for after choir.
3. CONCENTRATION:  Leave phones, food, drink, candy, toys, or anything distracting at home or on the front table.  We will get more done and do our job the best if we stick to choir.
4. PURPOSE: If you have a comment or question, make sure it's about what we are doing right then.  If you want to share personal stories, please come before choir at 5:15 when you can socialize with your friends.  At 5:30, we start working.
5. LOVE:  Treat others the way you want to be treated.  Speak positively about everyone.  If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything.
6. ATTITUDE: Keep hands and feet to yourself, sit up in your chair, and keep up with what's going on. We are here to glorify God, not to pester others or daydream.  If this is too hard for you, then perhaps a different activity would suit you better.

REWARDS:
1.  Candy at the end of choir
2.  The knowledge that you did your best
3.  No complaints to your parents from Miss Karla or Miss Lin
4.  An amazing witness to others when you tell them what you're doing
5.  An amazing witness in May when we present our offering of this musical
6.  Fun

CONSEQUENCES:
1st warning: No candy
2nd warning: I move you next to an adult in the room or near the wall by yourself.  Then, I speak with your parent after choir.
3rd warning: You lose a line in the play and immediately give it to someone else and I speak with your parent.
4th warning:  I speak with your parent and you are asked to stay home from choir next practice.

Check out the new videos and Top Ten List! I also added a joke link and a link to some of my favorite comics.

Sing along to the CD and sing loudly enough to drown out my voice!  Only when you've learned the song can I give you the CD without my screeching on it!  Please read your script, even if it's just 10 minutes a day!  You need to know the story very well, PLUS, if someone is sick or loses their voice, you may need to step into their place. Also, it makes you a better actor.