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Guide Our Song: An Adam Tice Sampler (Sing Amen! The Podcast, episode 20)
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One of the great gifts to the singing Church in more recent years has been the wonderful outpouring of new hymn texts by our modern poet-theologians–people like Delores Dufner, Mary Louise Bringle, Herman Steumpfle, Sylvia Dunstan…and over the past decade or so, Adam Tice. Adam’s texts are rich and challenging, addressing many of the challenges and darknesses facing our world today. His words are unflinching and yet full of hope, and it’s no wonder so many composers who encounter his texts are moved to set them to music.
This podcast, rather than being composer-based or genre-based like many others have been, will instead focus on the text-writer; here are ten songs set by a varied body of composers, all set to Adam’s texts. There are rather straightforward assembly-based hymns here, as well as choral pieces. Some of these selections are more “traditional” in style, while others lend themselves more to a contemporary ensemble’s sound–but all are lovely, and all give one much to think and pray about. (He’s also an incredibly nice guy.)
If you enjoy this, I highly recommend checking out his full collections of hymn texts: Woven Into Harmony, Stars Like Grace, A Greener Place to Grow, Claim the Mystery, and his latest, Pulse and Breath.
Peace to all!
Music Heard on this Podcast:
God of Music, Guide Our Song, G-8092
Text Author: Adam M. L. Tice
Text Author: Adam M. L. Tice
God, Give Me Faith like a Child, G-8591
By Sally Ann Morris
Text Author: Adam M. L. Tice
As recorded on Walk in Peace, CD-908
In the Morning, in the Evening, G-9873
by Bex Gaunt
Text Author: Adam M. L. Tice
As recorded on Womb and Tomb,CD-1061, and Show By Your Life, CD-1054
Text Author: Adam M. L. Tice
One Thing I Ask of You, O God, G-9835
by Gary Daigle
Text Author: Adam M. L. Tice
As recorded on Way, Truth, and Life, CD-9866
For God So Loves the World, G-9201
by Marty Haugen
Text Author: Adam M. L. Tice
As recorded on Pilgrims and Companions, CD-1020
From the Waters I Will Rise, G-9859
by Marty Haugen
Text Author: Adam M. L. Tice
As recorded on Choose to Hope, CD-1060
Glorify the Lord by Our Lives, G-8907
by Tony Alonso
Text Author: Adam M. L. Tice
As recorded on A House of Prayer, CD-968
Special Bonus Track:
Peace to You, My Loved Ones
By Sally Ann Morris
Text Author: Adam M. L. Tice
(recorded live at Laurelville Music and Worship Leader’s retreat, an annual Mennonite event that takes place in western Pennsylvania. Click here for the video!)
Sing Amen! the Podcast, with Jennifer Kerr Budziak
Sound by Jim Bogdanich
Sing Amen! opening music: Promenade, by Bob Moore (from Let Every Instrument Be Tuned for Praise, CD-491, from Liturgical Suite #4, G-4789 ©GIA Publications, Inc).
Sing Amen! closing music: Amen, (from More Sublime Chant, CD-459, The Cathedral Singers, Richard Proulx, conductor. ©GIA Publications, Inc.)
Body Mapping: with Bridget Jankowski (Sing Amen! The Podcast, episode 19)
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When I look back over the past few decades, it feels as though I have spent a huge portion of my life as a professional musician dealing with tension, pain, stiff shoulders, tendinitis, and all kinds of bodily aches. Most of my colleagues would say the same, I expect. It never occurred to me to wonder if they were optional; I thought that was just part of being a musician.
I had heard of Body Mapping, but I never seemed to find the opportunity to dig in and learn about it, or find out if it could help me. (I was too busy working, and practicing, and taking Advil for my aching joints and tension headaches.) Until last summer, when Bridget Jankowski, author of Body Mapping for Music Ministers, sat down with me one day during the 2018 NPM Convention in Baltimore, and taught me more about this remarkable practice.
This podcast episode is essentially a distillation of that conversation. Bridget’s work, and her book, talks not only about Body Mapping as a vehicle to increased clarity and efficiency (and decreased pain!) for the musician’s body as we make music, but also about how this practice can help deepen our awareness and focus as we perform our work as ministers. Our conversation quite literally changed almost everything for me about the way I conduct, the way I sing, the way I teach, and the way I work with my own choruses; it is truly amazing—and I’ll leave it there and let you listen, since Bridget explains it all far better than I can!
(And if this intrigues you even a little—Bridget herself will be speaking at the Raleigh NPM convention in a little over a week, giving one of the Mega-Breakouts. Please come see her in person and learn from a truly remarkable teacher!)
Music heard in today’s podcast:
As recorded on Vision, CD-295
Sing Amen! the Podcast, with Jennifer Kerr Budziak
Sound by Jim Bogdanich
Sing Amen! opening music: Promenade, by Bob Moore (from Let Every Instrument Be Tuned for Praise, CD-491, from Liturgical Suite #4, G-4789 ©GIA Publications, Inc).
Sing Amen! closing music: Amen, (from More Sublime Chant, CD-459, The Cathedral Singers, Richard Proulx, conductor. ©GIA Publications, Inc.)
Show By Your Life: A Conversation with Lori True (Sing Amen! The Podcast: Episode 18)
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Okay, it’s been a while since our last podcast! It’s good to be back.
Part of the learning curve for me with this site has been realizing when the crunch times come, so I can be ready for them…I’m just coming out of one of those crunch times, because in Publisher World, there is a big push about 6 weeks before all the big conferences, when all the projects need to go to press for printing. NPM is next month in Raleigh, July 16-19—and if you haven’t registered to go yet, please do consider it, because it’s going to be a great week.
(By the way: I will be one of the retreat leaders during the Pre-Convention events, for a retreat day for women on Monday July 15, working with Lorraine Hess, ValLimar Jansen, Meredith Augustin, and Sarah Hart. It will be a day of music and prayer and reflection, and you won’t want to miss it—I know it’s filling up fast, so while they will take onsite registration if there is still space, I’d recommend registering early.)
Anyway, a lot of stuff has gone to press in the last few weeks! New collections, books, Revival 2, new wedding music, Volume 8 of Paul Tate’s “Seasons of Grace” collection, The Organist’s Craft (the newest volume of the “As Found in the GIA Quarterly” series, which I edit), and of course Lori True’s new collection Show By Your Life, inspired in great part by the writings and words of Pope Francis.
That edition is in fact hot off the presses as I write this, and so it seemed like the perfect moment to release this podcast episode of a conversation I had with Lori last fall at the GIA Fall Institute, when this collection was in its early stages of development. Lori had just given a workshop addressing the importance of singing about social justice and letting the words we sing as a community address the very real concerns of our world today. She was kind enough to sit down and talk with me about her writing process and how she got here. It was a wonderful conversation, and here it is interspersed with excerpts from some of the songs from the new collection, as well as a few old favorites.
Enjoy!
Music heard in today’s podcast:
As recorded on Show By Your Life, CD-1054
I Send You with the Grace of my Spirit, G-9985
As recorded on Show By Your Life, CD-1054
As recorded on There is Room for Us All, CD-639
Prayers of the Faithful—Advent (from Cry Out With Joy, Year A, G-8481)
As recorded on Cry Out With Joy, Year A, CD-931
What Have We Done for the Poor Ones? G-6709
As recorded on There is Room for Us All, CD-639
As recorded on Show By Your Life, CD-1054
Sing Amen! the Podcast, with Jennifer Kerr Budziak
Sound by Jim Bogdanich
Sing Amen! opening music: Promenade, by Bob Moore (from Let Every Instrument Be Tuned for Praise, CD-491, from Liturgical Suite #4, G-4789 ©GIA Publications, Inc).
Sing Amen! closing music: Amen, (from More Sublime Chant, CD-459, The Cathedral Singers, Richard Proulx, conductor. ©GIA Publications, Inc.)
___
World Library Podcast Episode 12 – Craig Colson: Higher Praise
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World Library Podcast Episode 12 – Craig Colson: Higher Praise
Today I speak with composer Craig Colson as we walk through his latest album Higher Praise.
Craig also talks about his upcoming workshops and concert at the National Pastoral Musicians Conference in Raleigh, NC July 15-19, 2019. If you’re not registered, visit npm.org today!
Higher Praise is available on CD and digital music platforms.
Available on iTunes and everywhere podcasts are found.
World Library Podcast Episode 11 – Mickey McGrath and Carolyn Pirtle
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World Library Podcast Episode 11 – Mickey McGrath and Carolyn Pirtle
Today I Speak with Author and Artist Mickey McGrath and talk about his new book, A Holy Mosaic: Love, Diversity, and the Family. Inspiration from Pope Francis. I also speak with Author and Composer Carolyn Pirtle and talk about her new book Praying the Rosary Together: A Guide for Home and Classroom. I also talk about three of her choral works including “Bless the Corners“; “Bi Iosa Im Chroise (Jesus Be in Our Hearts)“; and “Come My Way My Truth My Life.”
Available on iTunes and everywhere podcasts are found.
Night Prayer (Sing Amen! the Podcast: Episode 17)
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Holy Week is upon us. I figured that at this precise moment in our musical lives no one listening here is looking particularly for new repertoire or deep thoughts or formational development—we are looking to get through the week with beauty and prayerfulness, we are creating folders and scripts and parts for the trumpet players and preparing for a level of intensity that is unlike anything else we do all year.
So instead…here is a calm, lovely Night Prayer service to listen to on your way home from rehearsals this week, or to help quiet down a busy brain after a long day. It’s from Ian Callanan’s collection As Nighttime Falls, a series of 15-20 minute Compline services for each day of the week. These are good for either individual prayer and listening in solitude, or communal or retreat type settings; if you like this, I’d encourage checking out the whole set, available in both audio and music collection form and with an assembly edition as well…
So—all prayers and good wishes to all of us out there this coming week! May you be blessed with choirs who show up on time, cantors who avoid illness, organs that never cipher, string instruments that hold their tune, staff meetings without stress, assemblies with open hearts and joyful spirits, and families who understand when you doze off over Easter dinner. Peace be with you!
Music heard in today’s podcast: from As Nighttime Falls: Hymns, Psalms and Prayers to End the Day, CD-1038 (Sunday Night Prayer)
1 Call to Prayer
2 As Nighttime Falls
3 Be with Me, Lord
4 Word of God
5 Short Responsory
6 Save Us, Lord / Let Your Servant Go / Save Us, Lord
7 Prayer
8 Blessing
9 Hail, Holy Queen
Sing Amen! the Podcast, with Jennifer Kerr Budziak
Sound by Jim Bogdanich
Sing Amen! opening music: Promenade, by Bob Moore (from Let Every Instrument Be Tuned for Praise, CD-491, from Liturgical Suite #4, G-4789 ©GIA Publications, Inc).
Sing Amen! closing music: Amen, (from More Sublime Chant, CD-459, The Cathedral Singers, Richard Proulx, conductor. ©GIA Publications, Inc.)
World Library Podcast Episode 10 – Mikey Needleman
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World Library Podcast Episode 10 – Mikey Needleman
Today I present an interview with Mikey Needleman, A VAO artist. We walk through his musical career and ministry and discuss his albums. Visit his artist page here at VAO to sample any of his albums!
Available on iTunes and everywhere podcasts are found.
Of Womb and Tomb: a conversation with Kate Williams (Sing Amen! the Podcast: episode 16)
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Today we have a conversation with Kate Williams, who compiled and edited the beautiful new resource Of Womb and Tomb: Prayer in time of Infertility, Miscarriage, and Stillbirth (G-9816). The resource is made up of a book, a CD, and a music collection, and I’m pretty sure it’s the first collection of its kind—since it came off press not very long ago it has already been adopted by hospital chaplains, parishes, and individuals; it’s been featured on the Music Ministry Mondays podcast for NPM, and Kate will be speaking about it at the Los Angeles Religious Education Conference this week. In today’s podcast we will hear an interview with Kate that we did right after the book came out, interspersed with some readings from the book and some of the music from the collection. (And the prayer we hear Kate read at the opening of the podcast was written by Melissa Carnall, and can be found in the book as well.)
Kate’s work to lift the veil of silence around a pain and grief that we have been culturally conditioned to not speak of, and to shift it out of being a “women’s issue” into a wider concern that affects many many people, both men and women, and to help us find a way as Church to walk through this pain together, and to minister to one another, is tremendously important, and I am so grateful to have had the chance to speak with her about it.
Music heard in today’s podcast:
The Silence and the Sorrow, Liam Lawton (G-5291)
As recorded on Ancient Ways, Future Days (CD-475)
In the Morning, In the Evening, Bex Gaunt (G-9873)
As recorded on Of Womb and Tomb (CD-1061)
And Jesus Said, Tony Alonso (G-7075)
As recorded on Songs from Another Room (CD-648)
SingAmen! the Podcast, with Jennifer Kerr Budziak
Sound by Jim Bogdanich
SingAmen! opening music: Promenade, by Bob Moore (from Let Every Instrument Be Tuned for Praise, CD-491, from Liturgical Suite #4, G-4789.. ©GIA Publications, Inc).
SingAmen! closing music: Amen, (from More Sublime Chant, CD-459, The Cathedral Singers, Richard Proulx, conductor. ©GIA Publications, Inc.)
Glory, Hallelujah! A Black History Month Choral Sampler (Sing Amen! The Podcast: episode 15)
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February is Black History Month, so it seemed appropriate to devote a podcast to some of the wonderful and Spirit-filled offerings from our African-American brothers and sisters in faith, and the amazing heritage of spirituals and Gospel music they continue to keep alive and growing.
So here is I hope a pretty diverse lineup of music, encompassing contemporary Gospel style music and choral spirituals and the hybrid styles that move between the two, representing a broad swath of the composers and arrangers, both men and women, whose work gives such life to the church. I’ll give you their names as we go, but there’s one more name I didn’t want to lose track of here, and that’s Dr. James Abbington of Emory University. (That’s him in the photo up above.) He conducted many of the performances you are about to hear, and continues to play a pivotal role in editing and curating GIA’s African-American church music series, the African-American Heritage Hymnal—basically, if I were to read out his whole bio and all the things he’s done and continues to do, we wouldn’t have time for any music, but my respect for him is immense and I can’t say enough about him as a musician and a scholar, so please go to his bio on the GIA website and check him out for yourself.
Obviously on a half-hour or so podcast I could only scratch the surface of the amazing music out there, but for each of the pieces you’ll hear here, you can click on the CD from which each song comes, and explore more. I know the whole process of preparing this one has made my long car rides much brighter and Holy Spirit-attended than they usually are—and I hope it does the same for you!
Music heard in today’s podcast:
Soon and Very Soon (arr. Derek W. Campbell and VaLimar Jansen)
As recorded on Catholic Classics Vol. 7: African-American Sacred Songs CD-557
Come By Here G-7957 (arr. Uzee Brown, Jr.)
As recorded on My Lord’s Gettin’ Ready for that Great Day CD-9026
Bound for Canaan’s Land G-6499 (arr. Undine Smith Moore)
As recorded on How Excellent is Thy Name: 15 Selections from the African-American Church Music Series, CD-630
Deep River G-7228 (arr. Uzee Brown, Jr.)
As recorded on Use Me: 17 Selections from the African-American Church Music Series, CD-741
Glory Glory Hallelujah G-5953 (arr. C. Eugene Cooper)
As recorded on Spirits that Dwell in Deep Woods, CD-605
Mary’s Canticle G-2836 (Leon Roberts)
As recorded on I Call Upon You, God CD-342
Building up the Kingdom G-8641 (M. Roger Holland II)
As recorded on Building Up the Kingdom, CD-938
Hallelujah, Amen (Nolan Williams, Jr.)
As recorded on 49 Hidden Treasures from the African-American Heritage Hymnal, CD-636
Guide My Feet G-5952 (arr. Avis D. Graves)
As recorded on Guide My Feet: 14 Selections from the African-American Church Music Series, CD-600
My Peace I Leave With You G-6320 (Wendell C. Woods)
As recorded on How Excellent is Thy Name: 15 Selections from the African-American Church Music Series, CD-630
SingAmen! the Podcast, with Jennifer Kerr Budziak
Sound by Jim Bogdanich
SingAmen! opening music: Promenade, by Bob Moore (from Let Every Instrument Be Tuned for Praise, CD-491, from Liturgical Suite #4, G-4789.. ©GIA Publications, Inc).
SingAmen! closing music: Amen, (from More Sublime Chant, CD-459, The Cathedral Singers, Richard Proulx, conductor. ©GIA Publications, Inc.)
Muchos Miembros Hay–Ministry in a Multicultural Parish (Sing Amen! The Podcast: Episode 14)
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Welcome back, and happy new year! We took a little break in January to get caught up and moving again, but we are back and have a great lineup of podcasts set for 2019, so if you are not subscribed yet, please do subscribe to us at Apple Podcasts, Google Play, or Stitcher, to make sure you don’t miss anything! Also, if you have a minute, we’d be grateful if you’d leave us a review on one or more of those platforms so we can move up in the rankings and be easier to find. And of course, if you’re a liturgical music person at all, please also give a listen to the Open Your Hymnal podcast, as well as the NPM Ministry Mondays podcasts—there’s a lot of good stuff out there for the church musician, so check it out!
So today we have a conversation with Phil Koncyk and Bob Batastini about their parish in Holland Michigan. St. Francis de Sales is that rare and wonderful holy grail of Catholic parishes, an engaged and functioning multilingual and multicultural community. Here we talk not just about what they are doing now, but also explore the parish’s 40-year journey from two communities worshiping in two separate buildings to a single parish where bilingual and even trilingual worship are simply part of the life of the community. And I warn you, by the time you finish hearing this, you might be making your own plans to move north to Michigan, because this sounds like an amazing place to pray and live.
We recorded this conversation at NPM last summer, since it was the only time we could get all three of us in a room at the same time—so please excuse the street noises and occasional sound of someone walking down the hall outside the room singing. Please also excuse the tendency of three friends chatting together who sometimes forgot the microphone was on—there are times when we caught ourselves talking with our hands and needed to aurally translate what was going on in the room (and I couldn’t seem to persuade Bob to stop hitting the table for emphasis when he talked, so if you hear some odd thunking noises here and there, that’s Bob).
So we hope you enjoy this! Phil, the 14-year music director at St. Francis, has some wonderful insights and strategies for how this parish has collectively worked to unite its people while still honoring and respecting the comfort zones and cultural heritage of each, and gently stretching and widening those comfort zones to include and embrace the traditions of their brothers and sisters from a different heritage.
Music heard on today’s podcast:
Muchos Miembros Hay (We are Many Parts), G-6876
As recorded on Oramos Cantando/We Pray in Song 3 CD set, CD-641
Si No Tengo Amor (If I Have Not Love), Tony Alonso, G-7240
As recorded on Table of the World, CD-729
SingAmen! the Podcast, with Jennifer Kerr Budziak
Sound by Jim Bogdanich
SingAmen! opening music: Promenade, by Bob Moore (from Let Every Instrument Be Tuned for Praise, CD-491, from Liturgical Suite #4, G-4789.. ©GIA Publications, Inc).
SingAmen! closing music: Amen, (from More Sublime Chant, CD-459, The Cathedral Singers, Richard Proulx, conductor. ©GIA Publications, Inc.)