tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9284635.post116475034137202712..comments2023-10-19T10:21:32.190-05:00Comments on In Other Words: A Recent Thought About Church MusicPaul Drewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00974655628067266530noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9284635.post-1165110260624544532006-12-02T19:44:00.000-06:002006-12-02T19:44:00.000-06:00Cathy,Yes, There are many seminars each year plac...Cathy,<BR/><BR/>Yes, There are many seminars each year placed by the major label publishers (GIA, Oregon, EMI, Warner, Bertelsmann, Kona) to get people to use their music because of financial status.<BR/><BR/>Prior to their purchase by Kona Acquisition in a Leveraged Buyout, Integrity Music, a leader in the worship music movement (but has lost much of its share as EMI has taken over because of the modern rock movement replacing the more folk and pop formats), was a public company. In one Integrity report I received as a shareholder from 2002 until its 2004 LBO, the report stated one of the major worship leaders was an executive at the publisher, making over $90,000 and earning stock benefits as he also was the executive at the publisher, which also produces albums. Of course he has to use his own songs at the church which he heads, but he sold his product to other churches, knowing that he gets a huge cut of the royalties.<BR/><BR/>I looked at the programme of one such "worship conference" and saw these things:<BR/><BR/>"(M)uch of what is taught in traditional choral settings is counter-intuitive to ('worship vocalists') mission. When we identify the sound and posture we are looking for, many of our traditional approaches to vocal technique go by the wayside."<BR/><BR/>In essence, go rock/pop/country. They don't want singers with proper technique and singers who can sing well.<BR/><BR/>Among things the conference teaches include "Create a vocal sound that encourages participation," "Avoid choral singing traps that work against worship" (now that's why I can't sing in choir! I have classical training and they say these are traps!), and "Energise your timid singers."<BR/><BR/>It sounds "easier" to learn because they have just guitar chords to play, and they supply a disc and the artists just follow it. Also, the new music can be "catchy" on the radio with the words flying off thet screen on a big screen.<BR/><BR/>It can be less time-consuming because it is the same words repeated over, as the old "7-Eleven" joke would state. There is one very popular song which is a few words repeated so many times, that joke holds true. How easy is it to learn if you just need to learn a few words and repeat it numberous amoung of times?<BR/><BR/>To me, it is the ignorance or even fear of the "Old music", especially by the younger generation, behind it too. How many kids do you see singing "Panis angelicus," "Crucifix," or even "The Majesty and Glory of Your Name" (a song from the 1970's, but even 1979 is declared "too old" for today's generation of worship music) when they can dance to the latest pop tune from the hottest band on the radio?<BR/><BR/>And yes, theological content is missing because some worship leaders want the songs on secular radio and that's it. One popular band is such and kids love singing their songs in church.Bobbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02366544608847776006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9284635.post-1164824695645468932006-11-29T12:24:00.000-06:002006-11-29T12:24:00.000-06:00Bobby: Interesting. Doctors aren't the only one i...Bobby: Interesting. Doctors aren't the only one influenced to prescribe a certain thing by way of company influence.<BR/><BR/>I'm not a musician. <BR/><BR/>Is it "easier" to learn the new music? Is it less "time-consuming"? I'm wondering if music directors have legitimate time issues (though I assume for some it is their JOB-meaning they are paid for it) or if laziness or ignorance (or even fear of the "Old music") is behind some of this.<BR/><BR/>Recently, there was an article in the Archiocesan newspaper where liturgists and music directors were complaining that they may have to learn new Mass music soon. I would think that any composer would jump at the chance for the opportunity to be the one to compose new music for a Mass. Yet, all I read were complaints<BR/><BR/>I think that most church/sacred music today is saccharine garbage largely devoid of anything theological or doctrinal.Cathy_of_Alexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16795566831031491371noreply@blogger.com