Musing from my music-logged mind....
The past few weeks I've been preparing for a choir workshop I'm heading up next week. It's a blessing when the choir is excited, and the musicians are hard at it, hashing through all those chord sheets. One concern I always have in this situation is that I know I have very specific music likes and dislikes and, thus it's difficult to find music that I will enjoy teaching and the choir and musicians will enjoy singing and playing.
Well, I obviously missed it this time! (chuckle) After mailing my packet of CD's and chord sheets I got a few emails from various choir members requesting different songs. They weren't rude, just had some songs they had wanted to sing and thought this was their opportunity. Now, don't misunderstand, I was very happy that they chimed in - after all it's their choir workshop, and they are stuck with those songs long after I leave! But this all got me to thinking about my blog a couple of months ago in which I wondered who is the "poet" of Pentecostal music. While in this blog Kent and I concluded that it must be Israel Houghton, I want to submit another name: Chris Tomlin. At least in my home church. It appears from my recent experience and some conversations I've had with a few friends, that these two guys share the top spot. Think about it for a moment: where would we be without their recent additions to our musical repertoire? Over and over it seems that when I hear a new song I really like and ask who it is by, inevitably it's one of these two!
So that brings me to the question: Since Chris Tomlin and Israel Houghton are so different in style, what determines which one we choose? Does it have to do with the difficulty? It's obvious that Chris Tomlin's music is very straightforward in chord structure and melody line. Try writing out a chord sheet for some of Israel's songs and you're in for a trip! I have to think that those of us who cut our teeth on the black gospel craze in the 80's and 90's might prefer Israel's music since it is such a fusion of gospel, jazz, and rock. Or is it the setting that determines the choice? Some congregations might have trouble singing some of Israel's songs, especially older congregations. Although I realize there are exceptions to all of these scenarios, it seems that for the most part, that's the rule. Then again, there's alway the regional influence. Do folks in the south prefer one or the other? I'd like to know, for no other reason but to satisfy my wondering mind. I just find it fascinating that we Ap's seem to latch on to certain artists so tightly. I sure hope these guys don't decide to hang it up and start selling books door to door - we'll all be in trouble.
Now I'm off to reign in my wondering, music-logged mind.
Happy July!
By the way, sorry for no photo - blogger is not cooperating.
Also, since I always forget to do this, I'm reading Sacco & Vanzetti by Bruce Watson and you know what I'm listening to...
Well, I obviously missed it this time! (chuckle) After mailing my packet of CD's and chord sheets I got a few emails from various choir members requesting different songs. They weren't rude, just had some songs they had wanted to sing and thought this was their opportunity. Now, don't misunderstand, I was very happy that they chimed in - after all it's their choir workshop, and they are stuck with those songs long after I leave! But this all got me to thinking about my blog a couple of months ago in which I wondered who is the "poet" of Pentecostal music. While in this blog Kent and I concluded that it must be Israel Houghton, I want to submit another name: Chris Tomlin. At least in my home church. It appears from my recent experience and some conversations I've had with a few friends, that these two guys share the top spot. Think about it for a moment: where would we be without their recent additions to our musical repertoire? Over and over it seems that when I hear a new song I really like and ask who it is by, inevitably it's one of these two!
So that brings me to the question: Since Chris Tomlin and Israel Houghton are so different in style, what determines which one we choose? Does it have to do with the difficulty? It's obvious that Chris Tomlin's music is very straightforward in chord structure and melody line. Try writing out a chord sheet for some of Israel's songs and you're in for a trip! I have to think that those of us who cut our teeth on the black gospel craze in the 80's and 90's might prefer Israel's music since it is such a fusion of gospel, jazz, and rock. Or is it the setting that determines the choice? Some congregations might have trouble singing some of Israel's songs, especially older congregations. Although I realize there are exceptions to all of these scenarios, it seems that for the most part, that's the rule. Then again, there's alway the regional influence. Do folks in the south prefer one or the other? I'd like to know, for no other reason but to satisfy my wondering mind. I just find it fascinating that we Ap's seem to latch on to certain artists so tightly. I sure hope these guys don't decide to hang it up and start selling books door to door - we'll all be in trouble.
Now I'm off to reign in my wondering, music-logged mind.
Happy July!
By the way, sorry for no photo - blogger is not cooperating.
Also, since I always forget to do this, I'm reading Sacco & Vanzetti by Bruce Watson and you know what I'm listening to...
posted by aahrens at
Friday, July 11, 2008
3 Comments:
The whole "poet of our movement" thing is interesting. I am most fascinated by the fact that our universally accepted poet is NOT from our own ranks. What does that in itself say?
I think people choose because of two factors (both which you've hinted to...)
1. Local church culture
2. Musical ease (some people just can't do Israel justice!)
I hope your choir clinic went great!
Laura,
Choir clinic is going great - as usual they are blowing me away - they are hard workers.
I had thought about the fact that our "poet" is not "one of us." I don't know Chris Tomlin's position-is he spirit-filled? Not sure. It is very telling though- that fact that we have not risen to the occasion ourselves. Is it lack of motivation or just the fact that we can rely on someone else, so why bother?
By the way - are you writing these days? I loved your songs with the group you had in CLC - can't remember the name, but I have their CD - enjoy it still!
AA
I am seaching for an Ann Ahrens who attended Skidmore College in the mid 70's---I know the odds are pretty long.If your not her then please forgive my intrusion---Peter
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