Joyful Singing

This is the tenth in a series of monographs--Shaping American Lutheran Church Music--published by the Center for Church Music, Concordia University Chicago, River Forest, Illinois., highlighting people, movements, and events that have helped to shape the course of church music among Lutherans in North America. In this volume, Benjamin A. Kolodziej uncovers and records the story of the Lutherans who undertook the daunting and uncertain work of carving out a new life in a new land, and of the music that accompanied them. The book is rich in historical and contextual detail, and Kolodziej overcomes the difficulty of delineating different Lutheran sects--immigrants aligned to whatever iteration of the Lutheran church was available, --to tell the stories of the church's past in clear and compelling prose. The book will be a great help to scholars, historians, and musicians alike.

A Queerly Joyful Noise examines how choral singing can be both personally transformative and politically impactful. As they blend their different voices to create something beautiful, LGBTIQ singers stand together and make themselves heard. Comparing queer choral performances to the uses of group singing within the civil rights and labor movements, Julia “Jules” Balén maps the relationship between different forms of oppression and strategic musical forms of resistance. She also explores the potential this queer communal space creates for mobilizing progressive social action. A proud member of numerous queer choruses, Balén draws from years of firsthand observations, archival research, and extensive interviews to reveal how queer chorus members feel shared vulnerability, collective strength, and even moments of ecstasy when performing. A Queerly Joyful Noise serves as a testament to the power of music, intimately depicting how participation in a queer chorus is more than a pastime, but a meaningful form of protest through celebration.

Sing! has grown from Keith and Kristyn Getty’s passion for congregational singing; it’s been formed by their traveling and playing and listening and discussing and learning and teaching all over the world. And in writing it, they have five key aims: • to discover why we sing and the overwhelming joy and holy privilege that comes with singing • to consider how singing impacts our hearts and minds and all of our lives • to cultivate a culture of family singing in our daily home life • to equip our churches for wholeheartedly singing to the Lord and one another as an expression of unity • to inspire us to see congregational singing as a radical witness to the world They have also added a few “bonus tracks” at the end with some more practical suggestions for different groups who are more deeply involved with church singing. God intends for this compelling vision of His people singing—a people joyfully joining together in song with brothers and sisters around the world and around his heavenly throne—to include you. He wants you,he wants us, to sing.

By forbidding the music they dont like, they alienate the young. Ed Christian argues that music should be judged not by personal tastes, but by its spiritual fruits. God approves of music that leads people closer to Him, whether we like it or not. When it comes to music for the worship service, however, unity is important. Appropriate church music doesnt alienate or offend, but brings people together and lifts them up to God.The author examines the arguments of those who reject contemporary Christian music in favor of traditional classics, and show how God can use the new music to bless churches and change lives.

2018 Choice Outstanding Academic Title Honorable Mention, 2019 Herndon Book Prize - (SEM-GST) A Queerly Joyful Noise examines how choral singing can be both personally transformative and politically impactful. As they blend their different voices to create something beautiful, LGBTIQ singers stand together and make themselves heard. Comparing queer choral performances to the uses of group singing within the civil rights and labor movements, Julia “Jules” Balén maps the relationship between different forms of oppression and strategic musical forms of resistance. She also explores the potential this queer communal space creates for mobilizing progressive social action. A proud member of numerous queer choruses, Balén draws from years of firsthand observations, archival research, and extensive interviews to reveal how queer chorus members feel shared vulnerability, collective strength, and even moments of ecstasy when performing. A Queerly Joyful Noise serves as a testament to the power of music, intimately depicting how participation in a queer chorus is more than a pastime, but a meaningful form of protest through celebration.

George Frederick Handel is in trouble: his last opera flopped, he is no longer in favor with King George II and preachers are raging that his latest work is blasphemous. In this climate, he struggles to present "The Messiah." Handel's travails are linked with those of his leading soprano. Forced into retirement because of a scandal, she is slated to make her comeback in his new masterpiece and fears a nasty reception. A malicious, back stabbing alternate is waiting in the wings to replace her. A devious bishop and Handel's bulky librettist add to the conflict in this true story of the politics and passion that nearly prevented "The Messiah" from ever being performed.

There is no better way to share the love of God with children than doing the things that kids love best--moving, singing, and making noise! These Bible-based songs, rhymes, and creative play activities present basic Christian concepts in an age appropriate maner. All activities are developmentally appropriate for the cognitive and physical abilities of PreK through first grade children.

When troubles arise the first thing we do is pray. We ask the Lord to quickly relieve the pain and suffering of the situation. But how often do we send up prayers of praise and thanksgiving? Let Amy Santi Bulls forty-five poems in this collection lead you on the path to showing the Lord how grateful you are for all He has done in your life. As in her other books, Believe and My Inner Strength, each poem in A Joyful Noise has five Bible verses that coincide with the meaning of the poem. These verses are listed in the Reference section following the poetry and show that praise and thanksgiving were offered to the Lord throughout time. So now, do you have a reason to be thankful? Do you have answered prayers? Then give the Lord the praises He deserves and let Amys poetry guide you along the way.