Home

Article by Vicki McCarty about my Christmas Gloria which debuted Christmas Eve 2007.

Victoria’s View

“Drop off the music you got Wednesday and pick up the new packet.  Conrad has revised it”!  Huh?  Our jaws dropped in disbelief…how can that be?  We just got it and have only had one rehearsal…and we’re singing it tonight!!!    We took note of the sign on the front door and shook our heads.  This was turning into a memorable Christmas - in more than one way.  I could not have imagined this kind of Christmas Eve even a few years ago.  We entered and emptied the notebook with the music we had just picked up 5 days ago.  We were still reeling from the announcement our young music director had made just 2 weeks earlier.  “I’m thinking of writing a new piece of music for Christmas in a week – just like Bach and Mozart used to do!”   He went on to explain that it was common for them to write something new every week for church the next week.  So, he sat down and did it himself, just to see if it was possible.  I could not help but think what confidence he had in our choir – to think we could perform it after just one long practice - and do it in Latin – that took some confidence.

Two hours later, the service began.  Could we do it - the small group of musicians gathered together – we rehearsed it through twice with the orchestra – then our moment came.  A quiet fell over the congregation – and the first performance of Conrad Askland’s Christmas Gloria in D was born.  And it was beautiful.   A true Christmas miracle happened that night.  A wondrous story was told again, and became new and real to all there.  It was heralded with a beautiful new composition written to announce the glory of God.  A new Bach had done the impossible - composed, rehearsed, and presented his new work.  And we got to be there for the event.

We returned home to a house with no decorations, no tree, no dinner, and only the two of us.  But our heads were still ringing with the sound of Gloria in Excelsis Deo.   A memorable Christmas - in so many ways.  Move over Bach and Beethoven - there’s a new kid in town.

With caring,

Victoria

If you’ve been following along with the “Gloria Challenge” then this page has everything you might be interested in. Full instrument and conductor scores, rehearsal MP3’s, final performance MP3 and links to posts made during the process.

The “Gloria Challenge” was to follow the footsteps of JS Bach to compose and perform a full scale sacred work for SATB Chorus and Chamber Orchestra at a church service, and to do it all within one week. The piece I composed was the “Christmas Gloria” and it was performed at the Christmas Eve service at Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church in Mount Vernon, WA.

Here’s an Mp3 of the Christmas Eve presentation:

http://conradaskland.com/downloads/Christmas-Gloria/Christmas-Gloria.mp3

I had setup several high end microphones to get a quality recording, but my tapes would not format for the recording. So as a last resort I set a CD recorder on top of the church organ and recorded off it’s internal mics. I’m disappointed we didn’t get a better recording, but it will give you an idea of the piece.

• Gloria Challenge Part I
• Gloria Challenge Part II - Thoughts
• Gloria Challenge Part III - Scores Released
• Gloria Challenge Part IV - Press Release
  
• Gloria Challenge Part V - The Performance

The “Gloria Challenge” came about as I was Googling “JS Bach” a couple weeks ago and read again how he composed so much music for the entire church year, often preparing a full scale piece in a single week. That has always fascinated me, so I thought I’d take a swing at it and see what I could do. It was a great devotional time for me, and a bit tense to get it all together.

Thank you SO MUCH to all the vocalists and musicians who took the challenge and stepped up to the plate.

The process was gruelling to do this in a week. I was pretty sick the evening of our performance and collapsed Christmas Day. If I did this on a regular basis I think it would go much smoother. But I was pleased with the finished product. From talking to chorus members most of them were pleased as well considering the time restraints. The choir got one three hour rehearsal - then a run-through before the performance.

Of course it’s all just a scholastic game if the piece doesn’t inspire the listener and fit appropriately into the service. From feedback I’ve received people were very moved by the piece. There was a thirty second standing ovation at the end of the piece. That’s a little rare for church services, especially a Christmas Eve service. I take it that people were very moved by the text and music.

For me, the piece brought alive the mystery and nobility of Christmas. It also brought some depth to the season for me as I was huddled in seclusion working on the piece instead of watching Christmas specials on tv.

The dedication for the Christmas Gloria is to Ruth Haines and the Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church choir. I really enjoyed the couple years I spent with all of you as music director at MVPres. And thanks to Ruth Haines who always kept me organized even when I didn’t know it.

So yes, I’d say we did it.

Christmas Gloria Musicians:
Trumpet - Cindy Luna
French Horn - Amanda McDaniel
Tuba - Bruce Hanna
Oboe - Rebecca Wright
Flute - Linda Slone
Clarinet - Michelle Hanna
Harpsichord - Ruth Haines
Double Bass - Marilyn Parman
Timpani - Todd Parks

Christmas Gloria Instrument Scores

• Conductor’s Score - Askland Christmas Gloria
  
• SATB Choir with Harpsichord
• Flute
• Oboe
• Bb Clarinet
• Bb Trumpet
• French Horn
• Tuba
• Timpani
• Harpsichord
• Double Bass

MP3 Gloria practice tracks for musicians and vocalists:

• Christmas Gloria General Midi Practice Track Mp3
• Soprano - Gloria Practice Track Mp3
• Alto - Gloria Practice Track Mp3
• Tenor - Gloria Practice Track Mp3
• Bass - Gloria Practice Track Mp3

Final scores are now available for the Christmas Gloria for performance Christmas Eve. Players and singers will receive new scores on Christmas Eve. Would advise that instrumentalists and soloists transfer former rehearsal notes into these new scores. You can print them ahead of time if that’s easier for you.

CLICK HERE FOR PAGE WITH FINAL SCORES

Very few note changes. Most changes were adding phrasing marks.

Here’s an overview of changes:

• Articulations and phrasing marks added
• Baroque ornamentations added to Flute and Oboe (trills and mordents)
• SATB Chorus rephrasing of “Glorificamus Te” section.
• Note values changed in final section - stronger delineation between orchestra and chorus
• Trio section - phrasing marks added - added lyrics “bonae voluntatis” to end
• Tuba part re-scored to anchor on lowest A range.
• Oboe/Flute parts swapped in first section
• Timpani part combined to include Timpani, Concert Bass Drum, Triangle and Sleigh Bells

Press release by Vicky McCarty:

Imagine what it must have been like to be there the night Silent Night was heard the first time. Or any of the lasting works of composers who excitedly sat and composed to have special music ready for Christmas. Hearing a major work for the first time – being present at the debut is something that not everyone has an opportunity to experience. But those attending the candlelight service at Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church on Christmas Eve will have such an experience.

Conrad Askland has been working in the mode of the old masters, and an assemblage of musicians and singers will perform for the first time his work, Gloria in D. This is an undertaking similar to that of years past. It will be a meaningful Christmas experience, and a wonderful Christmas gift to the community.

Askland has been music director at MVPC for the last year and has directed the music for several theatrical productions in Skagit county. The Christmas eve performance will be his last before he leaves to be Assistant Bandleader and Keyboardist for Cirque du Soleil in Macau, China.

• Gloria Challenge Part I
• Gloria Challenge Part II - Thoughts
• Gloria Challenge Part III - Scores Released
• Gloria Challenge Part IV - Press Release
  
• Gloria Challenge Part V - The Performance

Latin text

Gloria in excélsis Deo

Et in terra pax homínibus bonae voluntátis.

Laudámus te.

Benedícimus te.

Adorámus te.

Glorificámus te.

Grátias ágimus tibi propter magnam glóriam tuam,

Dómine Deus, Rex cæléstis, Deus Pater omnípotens.

Dómine Fili unigénite, Jesu Christe.

Dómine Deus, Agnus Dei, Fílius Patris.

Qui tollis peccáta mundi, miserére nobis.

Qui tollis peccáta mundi, súscipe deprecatiónem nostram.

Qui sedes ad déxteram Patris, miserére nobis.

Quóniam tu solus Sanctus.

Tu solus Dóminus,

Tu solus Altíssimus, Jesu Christe,

Cum Sancto Spíritu in glória Dei Patris. Amen.

Literal English Translation

Glory in the heights to God

And on earth peace to men of good will.

We praise You.

We bless You.

We adore You.

We glorify You.

We give You thanks for Your great Glory.

Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father almighty.

Lord the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ.

Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father.

You who take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

You who take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer.

You who sit at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.

For You alone [are] the Holy One.

You alone [are] the Lord.

You alone [are the] Most High, Jesus Christ.

With the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

*Updated 12/23/07 - These scores are now final versions. Please transfer rehearsal markings to these new scores. We will have copies of new scores for you on Christmas Eve. 5pm call time for rehearsal with chorus and chamber orchestra.*

Musicians - your scores are available in .pdf format here:

Christmas Gloria Instrument Scores

• Conductor’s Score - Askland Christmas Gloria
  
• SATB Choir with Harpsichord
• Flute
• Oboe
• Bb Clarinet
• Bb Trumpet
• French Horn
• Tuba
• Timpani
• Harpsichord
• Double Bass

MP3 Gloria practice tracks for musicians and vocalists:

• Christmas Gloria General Midi Practice Track Mp3
• Soprano - Gloria Practice Track Mp3
• Alto - Gloria Practice Track Mp3
• Tenor - Gloria Practice Track Mp3
• Bass - Gloria Practice Track Mp3

Premiere performance will be at the 7pm Christmas Eve service at Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church - 15th and Broadway in Mount Vernon, WA.

• Gloria Challenge Part I
• Gloria Challenge Part II - Thoughts
• Gloria Challenge Part III - Scores Released
• Gloria Challenge Part IV - Press Release
  
• Gloria Challenge Part V - The Performance

Ah…the Gloria Challenge Part II. I thought I’d write a little background on why I think it’s so cool, and some of the earthly details on creating inspiration.

The “Gloria Challenge” is to write a complete Gloria for chorus, chamber orchestra and organ in one week. And then perform it Christmas Eve.

Original post of the Gloria Challenge click here

I’m a JS Bach nut. Most people that know me get that well enough. If I could listen to just JS Bach the rest of my life I’d be a happy man. I was raised Lutheran, so there’s that whole part of it too. JS Bach was Lutheran, and the king of counterpoint, and the king of Baroque music. He had several sons who were also composers - they called him the “old Bach” and thought his music to be old fashioned. Bach had lots of personality problems with his church employers - and from most accounts they didn’t really realize what they had. Part of Bach’s duties was to rehearse the choirs and write weekly Cantatas for the services. I think he has three existing yearly cycles - that’s three years of different chorales and cantatas for each week of the church calendar.

One of Bach’s sons was given all of the old JS Bach manuscripts when his father died. The son ran into money problems himself at the end of his life and sold many of them. I think I even heard a story that some of Bach’s songs were used to wrap cheese. His music was largely forgotten until Mendellsohn revived and re-discovered JS Bach’s music. Ever since then Bach’s music has been revered as some of the best in Western civilization. Bach lived 1685-1750, his death closed the era of what we call the Baroque Period. Mendellsohn revived the music around 1820. That’s all off the top of my head, feel free to correct me on dates.

Bach was very devout to his faith. On all his manuscripts he would write “S.D.G.” for “Soli Deo Gloria” - or “Only for the Glory to God”. It was a reminder of what his music work was all about. He even had manuscript paper created for him that had the S.D.G. watermark.

So that’s some background. The part that has always fascinated me is how he often wrote a full work in just a week and then had it performed at the church service. I always wanted to do that….I’m sure I’m not the first musician to have a little Bach fantasy like that.

While I’m waiting for my next Cirque Du Soleil gig to start I’ve finished all my theater shows and concerts. The only thing left is to finish my post as music director of a church through Christmas Eve. I get stir crazy pretty quick - so last week late at night I emailed a couple musicians to see if they’d like to play for Christmas Eve. I got a couple responses that people were busy - which was great, because the next morning I realized how much extra work that would be. But one musician emailed back Tuesday night and said they had cancelled their gig with the Philharmonic to play for the service.

Yikes! Now I was stuck - I had messed with a musician’s income. I decided Tuesday night to go ahead and try to write a Gloria in week. I set my scoring computer up and started Wednesday at 3pm. My deadline is the following Wednesday at 6pm - to have the piece complete for chorus, organ and chamber orchestra. As crazy as the challenge is - several musicians from my pit orchestras have volunteered to play the piece and we have emails flying all over the place to beef up our chorus.

I worked on the piece all day Thurs-Fri-Sat - Right now the score is 14 minutes long at about 50 pages. I’m going to have to cut it down quite a bit but I’m very pleased with the progress. It’s in neo-classical style. Since the piece is also a tribute to the work of Bach - it begins with the chorus singing “Soli Deo Gloria”.

Here is the original GLORIA latin text:

Gloria in excelsis Deo,
et in terra pax hominibus
bonae voluntatis.

Laudamus te.
Benedicimus te.
Adoramus te.
Glorificamus te.

Gratias agimus tibi
propter magnam gloriam tuam.

Domine Deus, Rex coelestis,
Deus Pater omnipotens.
Domine Fili unigenite
Jesu Christe.
Domine Deus, Agnus Dei,
Filius Patris.

I have used this portion of the text in this order, with addition of SDG:

Soli Deo Gloria - Only for the Glory of God

Domine Deus, Rex coelestis, - Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father almighty
Deus Pater omnipotens. - Lord the only
Domine Fili unigenite - begotten Son
Jesu Christe. - Jesus Christ
Domine Deus, - Lord God
Agnus Dei, - Lamb of God
Filius Patris. - Son of the Father

Gloria in excelsis Deo, - Glory in the heights to God
et in terra pax hominibus - And on earth peace to men
bonae voluntatis. - of good will.

The whole first paragraph takes up only about 45 seconds, where Gloria in excelsis Deo is the bulk of the piece, with a duet around “et in terra pax hominibus” and chorus responds with “bonae voluntatis”.

The beginning paragraph is set for a dark Medieval sound, which to me signifies part of the mystery of Christmas. The waiting and apprehension of not quite knowing what is coming. Sure, we know now - we’ve got the book. But what did it feel like back then for people that knew it was coming, but weren’t at the pretty manger scene. Was it a little scary and unsure?

After the intro the Gloria breaks into a traditional neo-Baroque sound that is a mix of Handel and Bach. Brass fourths and french horn hunting calls with timpani and woodwinds in Baroque motor rhythms. The “et in terra pax” is a duet with a slightly modern sound, but still something Bach could have done. This is a respite from the banging of the timpani and honking of the brass. Then the chorus resumes with the main uptempo theme, does a circle of fifths walkdown and build up into a pipe organ cadenza, then finishes with royal fanfare.

Now the sleigh bells…..yes, I put a section in for sleigh bells. I realize it has nothing to do with the biblical Christmas story, and that Santa Claus nor his reindeer appear in either Matthew, Mark, Luke OR John. But it makes me laugh everytime I think about it, and the Gloria is ALL about joy. So they stay in.

So there it is. Scores will be available in a few days and I’ll post scores and recording after Christmas so you can check it out.

My mother asked me how the piece was coming along and I said sadly, “It doesn’t sound as good as Bach” to which she replied: “Hmpfff….that’s only YOUR opinion.”

Bach wouldn’t be impressed. No one can be Bach. But I think he’d be flattered that 300 years later we’re still in awe of his passion and music.

The congregation will decide Christmas Eve if we hit the mark or not……..

• Gloria Challenge Part I
• Gloria Challenge Part II - Thoughts
• Gloria Challenge Part III - Scores Released
• Gloria Challenge Part IV - Press Release
  
• Gloria Challenge Part V - The Performance

It’s just to much fun not to take the challenge. One week to write a Gloria for SATB, Chamber Orchestra and Organ. I’m starting on it today. If you’re a local musician and would like to be scored into the piece for our 7pm Christmas Eve service in Mount Vernon, WA please email me.

Vocalists interested in joining us on the piece for Christmas Eve please join us for practice Wednesday December 19 from 6-9pm at Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church - 15th and Broadway across from Skagit Hospital.

Will I pull it off? Is it too much and I’ll fall on my face? Will it sound good and inspire men’s hearts or be some superficial diddy suitable only for a child’s toy? Will it be the greatest music ever heard? Stay tuned….

• Gloria Challenge Part I
• Gloria Challenge Part II - Thoughts
• Gloria Challenge Part III - Scores Released
• Gloria Challenge Part IV - Press Release
  
• Gloria Challenge Part V - The Performance

Original manuscript from JS Bach’s Credo BWV 232

O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur
And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
And then proclaim: “My God, how great Thou art!”

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

words & music by Carl G. Boberg and R.J. Hughes

�

This is a music review I found of a project I produced for Paula Sexsmith. The album was a Christian praise and pop CD entitled “Worry ‘Bout Nothin’”. Here’s the review, or go here to read the original Paula Sexsmith CD review.

********************

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. - Phillipians 4:6-7

I don’t often come across music by independent artists that is this expertly produced. Worry ‘Bout Nothin’ shows an excellence in production that is a pleasure to hear, allowing the music to be a very nice medium for delivering her messages of worship, praise, encouragement, and prayer. If I didn’t know better, the expertise obvious in some of the complicated arrangements of strings, piano, percussion, and voice would almost lead me to believe Michael W. Smith had a hand in its production.

“Pillar of Fire” introduces Paula’s warm and pleasant voice, backed by upbeat percussion and some screaming electric guitars. The energetic nature of the song perfectly compliments the image of Christ as a pillar of fire in a dark world, much like God was a pillar of fire to guide Israel through the desert many thousands of years ago. “Pillar of fire, love of my life. You inspire me to walk in Your love. You bring God’s presence, protection and guidance. Jesus You are my pillar of fire.”

“I Feel Small” turns prayerful, a la Anointed’s “Send Out a Prayer.” A Morse Code S.O.S. introduces the thoughtful and vulnerable song, in which I can picture Paula standing small in a huge world, looking upward for the God who gives her significance in an overwhelming world. The reverb effects on her vocals feel a bit out of place, though.

“Worry ’bout Nothin’ throws the throttle open in a juiced up encouragement to take to heart the apostle Paul’s admonition to cast your cares at the feet of God and let Him do the worrying. Christ Himself told us not to worry about tomorrow, because today has enough worries of itself. This song expounds on the spirit of that message, encouraging us not to worry about anything, but rather to pray about everything.

One of my favorite songs on the CD is “Glory to the Lamb,” an absolutely beautiful contemporary praise and worship number. I hear what sounds like a penny whistle or pan flute in the background, while an Aramaic recitation of the Lord’s Prayer adds a unique element to the song. Very simply, the song says “Glory to the Lamb, glory to the King of Kings. Jesus You are faithful and true. Every nation will bow and worship You. Jesus You are worthy of all praise. Honor, glory, power to Your name. Jesus, You are the beginning and the end. Alpha, Omega, You’re coming back again. Jesus, You’re worthy. Jesus, You’re holy.” That’s about as succinct a description of God’s praiseworthy characteristics as I’ve heard!

Worry ‘Bout Nothin’ was a pleasant surprise, one which I suspect will spend some time in my car CD player. The songs are well sung and purposeful, and the production work on the CD is second to none. If you have the opportunity to do so, I encourage you to listen to this CD!

Creation 2007 Northwest at the Gorge Ampitheatre in George, WA. Here are some pictures from the Creation festival. Visit the Creation concert series website.

I’m told that David Crowder stole the show with a very inspiring performance. Was also told he played the guitar from the video game “Guitar Hero” as well as a toy keytar. And you know I love keytars! Visit the David Crowder Band website.

*Note* - I’ve been told that some of these pics are from Creation 2006.

Creation 2007 Main Stage

Aerial view of the Gorge in Washington State

Baptisms at Creation

Evening Concert and candles

Casting Crowns performs in concert

David Crowder

Toby Mac

Bands, Musicians and Events at Creation 2007

Relient K • Switchfoot • Newsboys • Toby Mac • David Crowder BAND • Chris Tomlin • Jars of Clay • Kutless • Leeland • Emery • Barlow Girl • Hawk Nelson • Thousand foot Krutch • Skillet • Superchic[k] • Downhere • Disciple • KJ-52 • Sanctus Real • Phil Wickham • Falling Up • Pocket Full of Rocks • Group 1 Crew • Ayiesha • Woods • Aaron Shust • Starfield • Britt Nicole • Project 86 • MXPX • Family Force 5 • Stellar Kart • Run Kid • Run • Ruth • House of Heroes • Fireflight • Red • Voice • Everyday Sunday • Day of Fire • SPEAKERS Ron Luce • Bob Lenz • Harry Thomas •Reggie Dabbs • Pam Stenzel • Jeremy Kingsley • David Burke • Michael Yankoski • Jose Zayas • Justin Lookadoo • Zoro • OTHER FEATURES Candlelight Service • Prayer Tent • Fireworks • Gear Giveaway • Huge Video Screens • Exhibit Area • Youth Leaders VIP Area • Youth Leader Seminars • X-Games • Mountain Top Lookout • Food Court • Water Baptism • Campfires • Beautiful Camping • Fun Contests • Modern Worship Tent • Musician Seminars • Comedy Night • Blues Night National Talent Search • Skateboard & BMX .

Archives of music selections for services at Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church.

Visit the MV Pres Website.

Check out Presbyterian 101.

Sunday Services 2007

June 10 - Final Choir Sunday - Summer Break
Ave Verum Corpus
Vivaldi Mass in C Major - Gloria and Close
Hymn Medley

June 3
Hymn Medley

May 27 - Pentecost Sunday
How My Soul Doth Savor - Handel
Every Time I Feel the Spirit

May 20
Children’s Service - Led by Youth
Children Sing Hosanna - Children/Glorify/Choir

May 13
Mother’s Day
Panis Angelicus

May 6
Guest Artist Stephanie Bethea
Bolling Suite for Jazz Piano and Flute

April 29
Youth Sunday
No Choir or Glorify today

April 22
There’s Room at the Cross for You - Chancel
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus - Chancel
Amazing Grace, Jesus Lover of My Soul - Glorify
Prelude - Organ Fugue in G minor - JS Bach

April 15
Guest Artist - Kathy Kahn

April 8
Crown Him With Many Crowns - Mass Choir
Holy, Holy, Holy

April 1
Untitled Hymn - Ferdinand Ortega
February 25
Now Is The Time To Worship
Better Is One Day
Come Be Here With Me

February 18
Guest Artist: Pachelbel Trio Sonata
Choir: Gloria from Vivaldi Mass

February 11
Guest Artist: Kalli Richards
Choir: Sons and Daughters of the King
Here I Am To Worship
Morning Has Broken

February 4

January 28
Lord, Guide My Feet - Chancel Choir
I Release and I Let Go - Chancel Choir with Ria Peth
Doxojazzology - Ria Peth
Come Thou Font of Every Blessing
Be Unto Your Name
In Christ Alone

January 21
Fugue in G Minor - JS Bach
Blest Are They - Chancel Choir
What a Friend We Have in Jesus - Choir SATB
Guests - Lyric Light Opera of the Northwest
O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing

January 14
Lift Every Voice and Sing
We Shall Overcome
Hear Your Praises

January 7
Pie Jesu - Andrew Lloyd Webber
Lord I Want to Be a Christian - Choir
Holy Holy Holy, Lord God Almighty
Thank You For This Day
Blessed Be Your Name
Thou Font of Every Blessing
Bach Organ Prelude and Fugue in Bb Major

Sunday Services 2006

December 31
Guest minister - Gretchen Cohan
PH28, PH59
Choir/Glorify: Lord Most High, Shout to the Lord
Hymn: PH357

December 24 - Evening Christmas Eve Service
Bach Organ Preludes and Fugues in C Major and F Major
The Birthday of a King
Gesu Bambino

December 24 - Morning Service
Where Shepherds Knelt Gently

December 17
The Jesus Gift
Children’s Service with Brass Quintet

December 10
Introit - Prepare Ye The Way of the Lord
Choir Anthem - Gesu Bambino
Come Emmanuel - PH9
Come, Now Is The Time To Worship
Better Is One Day
Shine On Us
Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus - PH2

December 3
Anthem - Come Emmanuel
Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates - PH 8
We Bring the Sacrifice of Praise - LH 59
God of Wonders
Emmanuel - LH 143
The Lord’s Prayer - sung after communion
Rejoice, Rejoice Believers - PH 15

November 26
Offertory - Sonata in C - WA Mozart
Chancel Choir: Simple Gifts
PH 151
Thank You For This Day
You Are My King
More Precious Than Silver

November 22 - Thanksgiving Eve Service

November 19
Prelude - El Shaddai - Amy Grant
Introit - Thank You For This Day
Anthem - Ave Verum Corpus - WA Mozart
Offertory - Be Thou My Vision - Louise Cheney - Violin
Postlude - Be Thou My Vision - Louise Cheney - Violin
Be Unto Your Name
We Gather Together
Come and Meet With Me

November 12
Anthem - Panis Angelicus - Cesar Franck
Organ Prelude and Fugue in G Major - JS Bach
May the Words of My Mouth
PH 485
Come and Fill Me Up
Blessed Be Your Name
November 5
Prelude - We Bow Down
Postlude - Eine Kleine Nachtmusik - WA Mozart
The Promise - Chancel Choir
The Old Rugged Cross
The River Is Here
Lord Most High
May The Words of My Mouth

October 29
Organ Postlude - Toccata and Fugue in D minor - JS Bach
What a Friend We Have In Jesus
Lord Reign In Me
We Want To See Jesus Lifted High
How Great Is Our God

October 22
The Holy City - Solo Iva Rauch
Prelude - The Old Hundredth
PH464 - Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee
How Great Is Our God
Above All
Anthem - O Lord Hear My Prayer
Amazing Grace
.
October 15
Robes - Yes
Prelude - Nobilis Humilis - Christy Swartz - Harp
Offering - Con Te Partirò - Christy Swartz Harp
Choir Anthem - Sing a New Song - Michael Haydn (1737-1806)
All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name (Glorify)
Come Thou Font of Every Blessing (Glorify)
We Want to See Jesus Lifted High (Glorify)
Here Our Praises (Glorify)

.
October 8
Robes - Yes
Choir Anthem - Leaning On the Everlasting Arms
Great is Thy Faithfulness
God of Wonders
Blessed Be Your Name
Prelude - Call to Worship (Organ)
Postlude - Improvisation on Great Is Thy Faithfulness (Organ)

.
October 1
Robes - No
Preludes - I’ll Walk With God, Prelude in G Major (JS Bach)
Postlude - Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
If I Could Go Anywhere - Choirs and Ria Peth
Glorify Songs:
Praise to the Lord Almighty
Better Is One Day
Come, Now Is The Time to Worship

.
September 24
Robes - No
Prelude - I Allegro - Concerto In E Flat Major, K 447 - WA Mozart (Jim Gaudette - French Horn)
Hymns of Praise:
PH 151 - Crown Him With Many Crowns v 1, 2, 4
My Redeemer Lives
Songs of Adoration:
You Are My All In All
PH 306 - Fairest Lord Jesus - v1, 2
Preparation for Prayer - II Romance: Larghetto - Concerto In E Flat Major, K 447 WA Mozart (Jim Gaudette - French Horn)
Anthem - Spirit Most Holy - Chancel Choir
Offertory - God of Wonders (Glorify)
Postlude - III Allegro - Concerto In E Flat Major, K 447 - WA Mozart (Jim Gaudette - French Horn)

.

September 17
Prelude, Preparation for Prayer and Postlude:
Poulence Suite (Organ)
GLORIFY SONGS
PH467 - How Great Thou Art
LH 120 - Lamb of God - V1 and 3
Open the Eyes of My Heart - Paul Baloche
PH 391 - Take My Life - V1, 3, 5
Offertory - Choir - Praise the King
Ending Song: No Other Gods - Brian Doerksen

.

September 10
Preludes
I’m So Lonely I Could Cry - Hank Williams
Somebody Bigger Than You and I - Johnny Lange
Opening worship songs - Glorify:
Refiner’s Fire - Brian Doerksen
Meet With Me - Lamont Hiebert
Choir

Con Anima is a small ensemble of operatic vocalists from St. Petersburg, Russia. Small in number, but by no means small in sound or passion. They performed recently at my church, Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church. I could not find reviews of them online so I wanted to let you know what they are like as you consider going to one of their concerts or having them perform at your church. (Short read: They are fantastic!)

I knew that they were from St. Petersburg, that they had all graduated from the St. Petersburg Conservatory and that they were Russian Orthodox. My guess was that this was going to be very heavy, intense music - very dark and compelling to Western US ears. And it was exactly that. Con Anima has a sound that takes you on a ride through the centuries, a timeless sound.

Visit their website at Con-Anima.spb.ru and you listen to a Con Anima Vocal Sample.� Their sound is even more compelling when heard live. This is a group that I don’t think any recording will ever do it justice - It’s a visual and auditory combination that will lift your mind to new heights and inspire the depths of your sould.

For our performance we only used a mic for song introductions - no sound reinforcement is really needed for this group if you have a good acoustic environment. The bass vocalist alone has more vocal power than most entire church choirs. They are accustomed to filling opera stages with sound and when you get five of them toghther, well, It’s Big!

They gave a one hour concert with a combination of Russian sacred favorites, and also a mix of Russian “gospel” and classical music. The first half was a capella and the second half a refreshing mix of piano accompaniament, solos and duets.

Con Anima does well at presenting a faith-based concert that would be equally comfortable for any denomination to experience. The power of their delivery speaks for itself with obvious dedication to the spiritual drive behind their music.

If you like early music, chamber music, Russian music or music with conviction - you will love Con Anima. In all honesty, unless you were born under a rock you will absolutely love Con Anima.

I was going through music selecting repertoire for a piano student and this picture fell out of a book. The picture is from 1983 (I was 17 years old). Pictured from left to right is Christopher Possanza (Synthesizer), Doug deBruyn (Upright Bass) and Conrad Askland (Harpsichord).

This photo was taken in the sanctuary of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Bellevue, WA - 1983. We were preparing to play a Purcell Trumpet Voluntary as special music for a Sunday church service. Chris and Doug were two of my best friends in High School. I haven’t spoken with Doug since High School and only once with Chris in the last 20 years via email.

The three of us took music theory classes together at Interlake High School. Doug and I played together in the jazz band and marching bands. We also attended music composition seminars and did all the fun crazy things that should be done in high school, most of which are not appropriate to blog publicly about (which means it was very, very fun.)

Chris Possanza was lead singer for the Seattle band “This Busy Monster”, and is also one of the founders of Barsuk Records in Seattle, WA. His label is best known for producing the Seattle band “Death Cab for Cutie”. I’m sure both of them have had many more adventures the past twenty years, but those are the only ones I know of.

Of course this picture has a story to it. Originally we had a trumpet player to play the Purcell piece for that Sunday’s service. A couple days before Sunday, the trumpet player cancelled out on us. If I remember right he had never been in a church before and the thought of playing in a sanctuary really freaked him out.

Some things never change, of course the performance of this piece was the entire world to me and had to happen. So I called my friend Chris who owned a Prophet V Synthesizer to play the trumpet part. Back in 1983 synthesizers were pretty rare, especially the Prophet V. It was kind of like having the first tv set in the neighborhood. We spent many hours at Chris’ house experimenting with sounds and wishing we had done what Walter Carlos had accomplished with Switched on Bach (ok, I’m dating myself now.)

So Chris played the trumpet parts on his Prophet V synth along with a real upright bass, and a real harpsichord (which I got to tune, that was very fun.) The piece was played well and embellishments were executed properly for the Baroque style.

It was not intentional, but it may be one of the earliest uses of the Prophet V synthesizer in a liturgical setting. If memory serves me correctly there were a few people that did not feel a synthesizer was appropriate in church under any conditions. But overall it was received well.

You can make fun of my pink shirt. You can make fun of the animal prints on my sweater. But we give you fair warning not to question the reverence of our synthesizer patches. We are armed with MIDI. We will win.

Con Anima, a vocal group from St. Petersburg Russia, will perform at Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church on Saturday March 3rd, 2007 at 7pm. The concert is free. Read more information about the Con Anima Russian choir.

St.Petersburg, Russia - Con Anima is a vocal ensemble of Saint Petersburg. Visit the Con Anima Russian Choir website.

Read a review of a Con Anima Church Concert.

All singers in the group are graduates of Saint Petersburg Conservatory. Conservatory in Russia is a higher musical educational establishment. Term of training - 5 years. Conservatory diploma has the same rank as that of a university.

We build our repertoire of religious music, Russian chamber and opera music of the 19th and 20th century, including compositions by P.Tchaikovsky, S.Rakhmaninov, S.Taneev, N.Rimsky-Korsakov, P.Chesnokov and other.

LISTEN TO AUDIO SAMPLE
Russian Choir Singing Psalm 103 - MP3

We try to arrange our concert programmes to deliver to audience the depth and spiritual wealth of Russian orthodox culture. We consider our activities as a part of ecumenical links among Christian confessions, thus besides its concerts Con Anima takes part in divine service in various Christian churches.

CON ANIMA VOCALISTS

Anton Malakhovsky, baritone
Olga Dudchenko, mezzosoprano
Andrey Gavrin, tenor
Natalia Savchenko, soprano
Vladimir Feliauer, bass
Ekaterina Arhangelskaya, soprano

I have heard about Kenneth DeJong for many years and finally got to meet him at the Augsburg Fortress Music worskshop in Seattle, WA. An original wedding march he composed for organ was played by concert organist Douglas Cleveland (Music Director, Plymouth Congregational Church, Seattle, WA)

Mr. DeJong is music director for St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Bellevue, WA. This is the church I grew up in and was confirmed at. For many years as a young boy I sang and played at church services there, and they always let me practice in the sanctuary when I wanted. For a couple years that sanctuary felt like my second home. I never officially thanked St. Andrews for that - so here’s my official thank you.

I took advantage of access to their keyboard instruments and spent many hours playing the piano and organ in the sanctuary. For a while they even had a hand built harpsichord which I would tune by hand for Bach pieces. I also remember practicing jazz voicings on the church piano, and wondering if that was theologically sound. That was back in 1984 or so, church music has come a long way.

Kenneth is a composer, master organist, conductor and gifted vocalist One of his intriquing projects is singing with a male chorus consisting of all music conductors - it’s called Male Ensemble Northwest. I haven’t heard them yet, but he says it’s a great group - so it must be VERY good.

I have heard through the grapevine that Kenneth DeJong does very good work with congregational orchestras and ensembles. Hopefully I’ll meet up with him again to find out more info on that.

Kenneth DeJong - Organist and Music Director
St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church (Bellevue, WA)

Kenneth L. DeJong, Music Director and Principal Organist, has been at Saint Andrew’s since 1988. Following his undergraduate work and military service, he received a Master’s Degree in Conducting from the University of Washington. He taught for six years at Los Angeles Baptist College before returning to Seattle to pursue a doctorate degree. He has taught at Seattle Pacific University, Trinity Lutheran College, the University of Puget Sound, and the University of Washington.

He served as Music Director at Seattle’s First Presbyterian Church for six years, during which time he founded the Bellevue Chamber Chorus, which he conducted until 1998. He conducts the Lyric Arts Ensemble, sings in Male Ensemble Northwest, and is a frequent adjudicator and clinician. His Saint Andrew’s agenda includes worship hospitality and creativity, participation in vocal and instrumental ensembles by members of Saint Andrew’s, and creation of additional opportunities for growth and enjoyment of the arts in and around the Saint Andrew’s community. He is married to Kelley Mannon and they (with her son Brad) live in Issaquah.

Douglas Cleveland is music director of Plymouth Congregational Church in Seattle, WA. He was our guide for the 2007 Augsburg Fortress music seminar. Mr. Cleveland is a master concert organist and played very difficult pipe organ music with ease. We picked up quite a bit of choral and pipe organ music and are currently integrating it into our worship services at Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Church.

Mr. Cleveland was an excellent host for this event a