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of Shalimar
Chancel Choir Newsletter | May 2015
Shalimar United Methodist Church
Rev. Brad Bradford - Worship Pastor
[email protected] .
850-651-0721, ext. 112
I came across this article I wrote originally for the May 2013 newsletter. I think it is still very appropriate
and ask that you join me as we pray this together:
God continues to expand our borders. This is such a blessing and I would like to compare what the Lord is
doing with the prayer of Jabez in I Chronicles 4. In that passage, the clans of Judah are being listed and in
the middle of that listing we find these very interesting words in verses 9 and 10, “Jabez was more
honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.” Jabez
cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with
me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.” Please note a
couple of things. While the other parts of the clan are only mentioned by name, Jabez is mentioned for his
request of God and how God granted that request. Also notice that his mother names him “Pain.” The
Hebrew word for pain sounds like Jabez. That’s pretty interesting! How many times in our lives are we
delivered in pain? How many times do we go through pain? How many of us take on the name of “Pain?”
My challenge to you, dearest choir, is no matter the pain, hurt or even joy and happiness, let’s pray this
prayer together: “Oh Lord, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory!”
God continues to give us opportunity to enlarge our territory. We need to continue to make that request
before the Lord. As we are found faithful in little, He will entrust us with more. Let it be our desire to have
more of Him and that the territory He entrusts to us will be for His glory and honor alone.
Thank you for your dedication, sacrifice and desire to lead God’s people in worship. We are entrusted with
souls every Sunday and we have the privilege of leading this body into the courts of praise. What a great
call our God has given to us. It is a blessing to serve with you for God’s Kingdom.
Please remember to RSVP with the church office for the Worship Ministries Banquet slated for May 14th!!!
Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow!
Scott Smith - Choir President
Why does Brad keep asking us to watch him while he is directing? It really interferes with our
interpretation and individual musicality! Seems like he should follow us, so we may need to review the
following Choristers' Guide To Keeping Conductors In Line:
1. Never be satisfied with the starting pitch. If the Director gives a pitch, make known your preference
for pitches from the piano and vice-versa.
2. Complain about the temperature of the rehearsal room, the lighting, crowded space, and of a draft.
It's best to do this when the Director is under pressure.
3. Bury your head in the music just before cues.
4. Insist on your reserved seat. Insist often. Give the impression you're about to quit. Let the Director
know you're there as a personal favor.
5. Loudly clear your throat during pauses. Quiet instrumental interludes are a good chance to blow your
nose, cough, and flip pages.
6. Long after a passage has gone by ask the Director if your C# was in tune. This is especially effective if
you had no C# or were not singing at the time.
7. At dramatic moments in the music (which the Director is emoting), be busy marking your music so that
the dynamics will sound empty and disappointing.
8. Wait until well into a rehearsal before letting the Director know that you don't have the music.
9. Look at your watch or phone frequently. Answer your phone while holding a long note.
10. When possible, sing your part either an octave above or below what is written. This is excellent eartraining for the Director. If he hears the pitch, deny it vehemently and claim that it must have been the
combination tone.
11. Tell the Director, "I can't follow your beat." Directors are always sensitive about their "stick
technique" so challenge it frequently.
12. If the music is in a meter which is the least bit unfamiliar, ask him as many questions as possible about
the syncopation. If this fails, sing to your rhythm. If he remarks on it, give him a look of utter disdain
and remind him about the "subtleties of inflection".
13. Ask the Director if he has heard a different arrangement of the piece. Imply that he could learn a thing
or two from it. Also good: ask, "Is this the first time you've conducted this piece?"
14. If your articulation differs from that of others singing the same phrase, stick to your guns. Do not ask
the Director which is correct until backstage just before the service.
15. Find an excuse to leave the rehearsal about 15 minutes early so that others will become restless and
start to fidget.
Okay, so maybe we can do a better job of following him. Aretha Franklin took only
3:07 to tell us all about R-E-S-P-E-C-T. We can show respect by listening to and
watching the director during rehearsals. Let's listen more, watch more
and encourage others to respect Brad and Laura.
Thanks.
Scott Smith
May Schedule
How many music directors
does it take to change a
lightbulb?
Probably only one, but then,
who's really watching?
May 3
“The Table of the Lord”
May 6
Rehearsal, 7:00, Music Suite
(Introducing our Patriotic Celebration)
May 10
“Untitled Hymn”
May 13
Rehearsal, 7:00, Music Suite
May 17
“A Jubilant Song”
May 20
Rehearsal, 7:00, Music Suite
May 24
“Lord of the Small”
Singing in the 8:00 and 11:00 services with
the orchestra.
May 27
Rehearsal, 7:00, Music Suite
May 31
“Agnus Dei”

Don’t Forget!
RSVP for the Worship
Ministries Banquet, May 14
by calling the church office at 651-0721 or
emailing to [email protected]
by May 7th.
May 14 Tom West
May 16 Kevin Wilson
May 20 Mary Jo Horner
May 26 Laura Borem
May 27 Jeanne Miller
Upcoming Dates of Interest

May 3: Children’s Choirs Musical, 6:00 pm

May 6: Patriotic Celebration Preview

May 14: Worship Ministries Banquet

June 8-12: Vacation Bible School (VBS)

June 10: Youth Choir Commissioning Concert

June 12-20: Youth Choir Mission Tour

June 28: God and Country Celebration
What is the difference
between a choir director and
a choir singer?
TWO MEASURES !
Reach | Teach | Send
1 Old Ferry Road . Shalimar, FL 32579
[email protected] . 850-651-0721
Psalm 150
Praise the Lord.
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens.
Praise him for his acts of power;
praise him for his surpassing greatness.
Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
praise him with the harp and lyre,
Praise him with timbrel and dancing,
praise him with the strings and pipe.
Praise him with the clash of cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord.
New International Version (NIV)