Song Of The Week - June 26

Well, hello everyone. :P I guess the lesson to be learned here is "ask and you shall receive"... Ian hahaha! I can not know when I will be able to post articles such as these, but I just figured out this week that I can save them until I find a wifi connection to send them to the blog. No pics or bolded letters/italics though, I need a real computer for that. This week, I am going back a little bit in my music library past to show you guys this artist.

Ghosts - Sleeping At Last, Ghosts

"we are all running/our very own races/set out upon/the most dangerous of places"

Obviously the theme of this week for me has been reflection, about my life and more importantly, about God. After purchasing this beautiful (beautiful :P) piece of technology, I was just putting some music haphazardly on it from my P2, not really specifying anything in particular. So while traveling between my dorm and the cafeteria on campus, this song came on and reminded me of so many past thougts and impressions that I felt I needed to talk about it.

The title Ghosts aptly describes the atmosphere that this song gives. Listening to the song is simply a haunting experience. The thing that draws me to this piece the most are the different themes about God and our walk with Him. One line in the song that sticks out for me is the one I wrote at the start of the post. It seems to describe both the relationships of everyone on this bus, as well as fellow Christians. I've given a couple posts and talked to some of you guys about my week, and I truly feel that this song encompasses everything in a nutshell: mysterious, reflective, and hauntingly filled with God's presence. And at the same time too, wonderfully magical... I do not deserve to be blessed in such a way. I am thankful though, that despite my absence, I have a means to communicate my thoughts. I have said this once before I think, but I will repeat myself: The SOTWs are so much more important to me than the songs themselves. It's the opportunity I get to share my experiences. No matter what song I end up choosing, it will always be for that reason. Have a good weekend, guys.

Ghosts - http://www.mediafire.com/?wzmnqyyzmtz

Posted with LifeCast

Travels

It has been several hours since we boarded the bus, and after quite a couple naps, I'm up and reflecting about my experiences once again. This year's Exalt feels very much like a revisitation of last year, except different... More laid back and enjoyable. I find that this group is more about the prayer than it was about the socializing, which greatly encourages me. I am close to this group as well... They seem to be more real, which is one of the themes for this year. Perhaps it is because I have grown more comfortable in my own skin. Just the other day, my friend Peter commented on how much I looked like a kid in last year's choir photo. I couldn't agree more, not only was I a child physically, but mentally and spiritually as well. I couldn't take much that was coming at me last year. This year I can. And because of this, my experiences are much more enjoyable.

Posted with LifeCast

No SOTW

Hey guys, I regret to inform you that for the next two weeks, there will be no SOTW. We leave for the States in an hour, and I don't have enough time to write one on tour.

Thanks a lot for coming yesterday guys. It was a little rough but we'll get there haha. I'll see you guys soon. Till Beulah...

Posted with LifeCast

The Power Of Silence

It's been a long time hehe! I've been able to keep in touch with a few of you guys, but for the rest of you, hey. I am missing you guys a lot and I hope that everything is going well.

Today I and the rest of the Exalt students experienced something that we don't experience often: silence. My goodness... It was truly God filled. Essentially, our worship time tonight was based on silence. All but our leaders were silent for over an hour, walking to different stations across the campus, each one focusing on a different portion of The Lord's Prayer. This week, if I have learned anything, it is to take time, step back and reflect not only on God, but how much He has blessed us, how much we take for granted. I encourage you guys to stand in silence for a period of time in the next few days. What will you be left with when it's just you and God? That's a question you have to answer for yourself.

Posted with LifeCast

I Am Testing The Waters

Hey everyone... I just want to test this out... Hopefully it works

Posted with LifeCast

holy....different.

hey. ha.

So times are a changing. and now for youth band. which means good bye Odum, I am positive we will all miss you..... a little bit. ha. but if we can't have freddys best bass player. we should get looking for someone new. which sucks. but meh. so does life.

anyway. just wanted to say that i think we have all come along way this year. in , many different ways. so Odum. you have put up with alot. but all in all i think it is a good thing. So thanks, it has been a slice with you. you will do fine. maybe we can hit up another paid gig some time. just for (S&G's) but next year will be different.

uh. i have to eat. i might post somthing else in a few....years. ha

LAt.

Song Of The Week - June 19

My goodness... what a week! I still haven't completely taken in everything that's happened. I've graduated! Holy frig, I've graduated! Ian, Simon, what did you do with yourselves after that? I still don't know how to operate normally with that knowledge inside of me. It's almost like the world's standing still, for a moment at least, until I finally realize that things have changed forever. I may have to be away to realize that.

This week, I'd like to introduce a new artist to you all. Not new to the Christian scene by any means, but she's (:O) probably new to all of you. That's alright though, because new in this case is a good thing.

My Love Hasn't Grown Cold - Bethany Dillon, Imagination

"Lo, and behold/My love hasn't grown cold/For you"

It took me quite a bit to find out who sang this song when I first heard it, because I strongly believed it to be Brooke Fraser; their voices are eerily similar. But alas, I was mistaken and was very happy when I finally discovered who it actually was. You could say that it quite made my day.

Does anyone remember this song? Mrs. Stuart used in her child sponsorship presentation a few months ago at church, which is where the song had a chance to speak its message to me. If you don't, then let me warn you: this week's SOTW is not a rocker or something to groove to. It is a very heartfelt, very simple song that reminds me of all the weight I feel for the pain in the world, and all the times I've been amazed by God's love this year.

Everywhere I look recently, there seems to be a new tragedy, a destructive accident, a difficult situation, an untimely death... It's a part of life, but I seem to notice it more and more with each passing day. And sometimes, although you don't want to ask the question, the thought arises: Where is God in the midst of all this pain and suffering? Why do the poor and needy go hungry, why do the good go first... Why? And as much as I hate to think it, the thought has crossed my mind if God still loves us, still cares for us. Of course I know what the answer is, but sometimes I find the answer hard to see, when it's hidden by everything that comes our way. This song is a great symbol, in that no matter how hard a situation becomes, whatever we've done or what tragic circumstances we may face, God's love has not, does not, and will never grow cold for us. God has blessed me so much over the past year. I remember clearly the day I auditioned for Exalt and was playing for Pastor Dave in the youth room, and after he left, I wept. I wept until my eyes were sore. How could God love me that much, to give me an opportunity like that? I've failed Him so many times with my actions and my words, and despite that, He still cares enough to take care of me. In my life, I have seen that His love does not grow cold, and I hope that despite everything that goes on in this world today, you would also see that He will never stop loving us.

My Love Hasn't Grown Cold - http://www.mediafire.com/?ozdh0ykgjim

*Five*

Five days, 8 songs and 424 more dollars to go...

The days left are merely single digits now... It seems only yesterday that my friends and I were counting down from 218. I think as far as everyone knows, the most anticipated event of my year is occurring in five days, but that is not the only reason the blog post received this title.

Friends, fellowship and God's presence is what I got last year. This year... I hope for the same.

These next five days are going to be some of the most important moments of my life, and I want to make sure that that I live them to the fullest. Have you ever waited for something, tested your patience and worn yourself thin, and then when that thing finally comes round, you wish that you had more time to prepare yourself? It happens all the time, and with more serious events than Exalt, or Catons, or whatever trip or event you're preparing for. This week, I haven't been able to help but think, "when those days come, will I be prepared?" So much is happening in our lives today, and I'm worried that if we don't stop to look at what's coming, we'll be caught, right in line for a head on collision. Give yourself time to prepare for what's coming ahead, both in the good, and the bad. Then you will be able to truly enjoy the good that God provides, and be able to weather through the storms that life throws at you. I remember saying that as a joke tonight at DQ, but it stands true: Prepare yourself.

Song Of The Week - June 12

Ola amigos! Weekend's coming in again, and it's time for another Song Of The Week. Tomorrow, we're leaving for Merle's church... I can't lie, I'm a little nervous and anxious about the whole thing, so bear a bit with me this weekend. I know that everything ends up working out in the end. But apart from being anxious, part of me is grateful that we get this opportunity to minister to others, so by the end of tomorrow night, I expect that feeling to take over the one of anxiety :). This week, I'd like to introduce you to a band that you probably have never heard of before...


Alleluia Sing - David Crowder Band, Church Music

"Alleluia, Majesty/Alleluia, risen king/Alleluia, angels sing..."

Just kidding :P. Honestly, who isn't excited for this summer's releases? It better not be anyone here, because my goodness, we're about to get bombarded with an amazing collection of music by the time September rolls around. Every week, I find it hard to believe just how much new material my favorite formations are planning to unveil. It's a great time to jump on the band wagon! This week, may I suggest David Crowder Band's?

Over the past few years in youth band, I've grown to truly appreciate the complexity of David Crowder Band's music. On the surface, you could just recognize it as something enjoyable and melodic, something that makes you move. But I've found that Crowder's writings are layered in many parts, like a cake or an onion :P. I'm sure we've all noticed this at one point or another when we play one of his songs at youth or for a service. Musically, there seems to be a depth and detail that we cannot yet attain :D hahaha! But that's alright, we'll work on that ;).

Alleluia Sing is one of the upcoming songs from the band's new album, Church Music, due out in September. Lyrically, the song is simple enough, but David Crowder and his bandmates take simple and wrap it around with so much meaning and weight for each word, that it feels like something almost operatic, as well as extremely beautiful. This is one of the reasons I greatly enjoy this song, as well as several of their others. They know how to work with the sonic space alloted to them, and convey their messages of praise, worship, or celebration from there. It's one thing to know what you're playing, but it's also important to know when not to play, and let the other instruments take their turn to shine. Not only does that help balance everything out, it helps to create something unified, part of one unit, rather than several units trying to function as themselves against the others. The result in DCB's case is an amazingly uplifting song that glorifies our Lord through the unity they have achieved. It's one of the many things I wish to be able to do as a musician, not only because I'll be better for it, but because I believe that in turn, it will help me create a more beautiful sound for God, which is what I feel He deserves each day.

Alleluia Sing - http://www.mediafire.com/?ekcaz1mehmy

Merle's Church - Announcements/Reminders

Hey all, just wanted to drop a note off to remind everyone about this weekend. It seems the only time we can practice together is this Saturday, so try and familiarize yourselves with the songs in the coming to make that practice smoothish. Here's the list:

Our Love Is Loud
Here Is Our King
Doxology (refer to Gateway's New Doxology and New Doxology Anthem)
Remedy
My Soul Sings

Have a good one everybody, see you tonight.

Sunday Night Live - June 2009

Hey all... just a couple words before I dish out the goods :P.

First of all, I just wanted to say how proud I am of all of you. I consider myself very lucky to play with you guys, and after last night, it saddens me to think that it's coming to a close... You've given me my share of stress, to be sure, but you've also given me some of the most memorable worship moments I've ever had, and I'll always be thankful to you guys for that. Thank you for playing with me :P. Thank you for putting up with me :O. But most of all, thank you for being there for me, I'll never forget it.

Disclaimer: We made that recorder clip to Albuquerque and back! I hope it doesn't detract too much. And the click was just as audible as any one of us, unfourtunately... Hopefully that problem can be rectified, in time.

Sunday Night Live - June 09
The Time Has Come
You Are Good
Everything Glorious
Shine
My Soul Sings
From The Inside Out

Song Of The Week - June 5

I apologize for the lateness of this edition... I was a little preoccupied, to be sure.

Hello once again... I hope that everyone enjoyed their week. The month that I've been waiting for is finally here... It's the month that marks an end, as well as a beginning. I'm sure we're all excited for what's to come, and although we've hit a couple bumps in the road, I think we're all thicker than whatever is straining us. This week, I'd like to concede the SOTW to the tastes of another on the worship team :P. However, this taste is quickly becoming one of my favorites.

Mercy Reigns - Shane & Shane, Carry Away

"Your mercy reigns/Your mercy comes/Your mercy falls and rises with the sun"

It's taken me quite a bit to get into Shane And Shane. I didn't think that I'd like them, until I found out who they were that is. It goes without saying that these are some of Matt P's favorite artists around haha! For as long as I've known him, it's been the Shane Train... hey, to each his own. It's only when you get older, grow up a bit that you can start to appreciate some finer things, and leave the Relient K behind :P. I'm more than happy to give an SOTW spot to these artists, and I'll tell you why.

First of all, I don't think I've heard any voice quite like the voices Shane & Shane possess. The style that they perform may not be quite your cup of tea, but they're pretty much the only people that I can say that their voices are truly 'smooth like butta'. How can someone, let alone two people together, sing that well? That is what the listener gets with Shane Benard and Everett.

Mercy Reigns is one of those songs that just captures one of the many attributes that God possesses. Continuing on with the theme of mercy this week, I enjoy how this song states this as an uplifting fact. Last week's song with Jason Gray was a bit more on the desperation side of God's mercy, and while the words spoken in his song were very true, Shane and Shane present the subject as something that should be celebrated and glorified. God's mercy is good, mighty and just. Over the past few weeks, I've really, truly felt God's mercy and grace on me. Not only has this been one of the most stressful times of my life, it's also one of the most uncertain. But everything that I have been worrying about, my compositions, my performance tests, SNL, final work periods... He's brought me through that, and I couldn't be more thankful. This song stirs my heart in a quiet, intimate sort of way, and then the chorus comes in, continuing the theme from last week, but under a new voice: A voice of celebration and worship. Have a good one everybody, keep those fires burning.

Mercy Reigns - http://www.mediafire.com/?ryk12njrmz2

SNL Worklist

Hey everyone, hope the day's going well for you all. Last night, after realizing how little time we have till SNL :P, I kind of wanted to make a list of things that we should work on while we still have time, just so we have a plan on what we can spend our time trying to polish up. It's a working list so feel free to add some things. Cheers.

SNL Practice June 09'

GLOBAL - Tempo Variations (General tendency of speeding up)

Dynamics

"Unity"

Rests

..."Tone"

1. The Time Has Come

- Learn chords (in addition to lead)

- Pick up tempo (~144bpm)

- Bridge work: Make more energetic?

- Work on the different timing spots (e.g. To-DAY)

2. You Are Good

- Slow down tempo (~130bpm)

- Learn leads

- Bridge work
- Learn seperate parts

3. Everything Glorious

- Give a more energetic feel (~94bpm)

- more variation in execution

- Work on a new intro

4. Shine

- Actually work on it

- Chorus leads

- Rests (When NOT to play)

- Bridge: Increase emotion/effectiveness of instrumentation

5. From The Inside Out

- More "reverence"

- Thicker choruses

6. My Soul Sings

- Increase atmosphere

- Start correctly (familiarize with off-timings in song)

- Beef up guitars

7. Tell The World

- Keep it up-tempo

- "Controlled Chaos"

- Solidify Intro

- Count-ins