Sound Connections Unity’S New Thought Music Resource
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Sound Connections Unity’s New Thought Music Resource Issue #88 January 2013 Produced by Music Ministry Team and the Sacred Music Resources Department. Richard Mekdeci, Editor Sue Riley, Team Chair Blair Tabor, David Ezell, Carole Tomhave, Melinda Wood-Allen, Todd Lowry, Sheryl Meyers, Megon McDonough This Month’s Highlights─page 2 Conscious transformation begins right in your own congregations and music leads the way. 2012 Sound Connections Music Conference at Unity Village─page 3 Announcing next year’s keynotes. Make plans now to attend. Feature Article─page 4 Columbine Unity Church, Boulder, Colo., is growing thanks to its dynamic music program. CD Review─page 7 Sandy Shanin: I Live in This Moment, customizable affirmation CD The Mailbox – Your Questions and Comments─page 8 Lots of fun responses to our Christmas Carol discussion, including an Aussie Jingle Bells! New Releases, Resources & Events─page 12 See what’s new and what’s coming up New Thought’s First Online Choral Library!─page 14 Our library is growing. Submit your choral originals or arrangements today. Job Openings for Music Directors─page 15 New! Unity of Loveland, Colo./Unity Church of Bay Area, League, Tex./Unity of Murfreesboro, Tenn./Unity of Davis, Calif. This Month’s Free Sheet Music Offering─page 16 “My Higher Power Is Taking Care of Me,” a “customizable” chant by Sandy Shanin New Thought’s First Music Director Listing: Online Only Currently over 180 music directors in 41 states and Canada. Help us make this a complete listing for all of New Thought. Update/add your name to this valuable resource. www.unity.org/music [email protected] 1 ThThhiis Month’s Highlights Greetings, Sound Connections Family! If you’re reading this, congratulations! You’ve survived the end of the world. But seriously. If you are keeping with the more positive, less apocalyptic interpretation of this Mayan milestone, you are preparing for a shift in global consciousness─a shift that can be seen and realized first in your very own congregation. Even more empowering is the truth that the accessibility and acceptance of the art of music makes it possible for you as a music director to accelerate that shift in your community. Now more than ever, the music we listen to, sing and write for our congregations can be a prime factor in directing them towards a more united, healed and transformed way of thinking. Whether you believe the Mayans had an inside track to human evolution, or the calendar makers just ran out of stone, the truth is that this event has created a common thought or idea among visionaries like Barbara Marx Hubbard (Birth2012.com) that has permeated the race consciousness and created a space for this shift─whether foretold or not, to occur. I see it as the similar shift that occurs in our individual minds when, as children maturing in our knowledge and reasoning, we discover there really is no Santa─at least not in the traditional sense we were told. That simple truth realized, altered the way we saw Christmas, our parents and society. It changed the way we see and think about what Santa Claus represents and it indicated a maturity and understanding in our growth to the next level of rational thinking. It was a natural progression in our maturity as individuals. A global transformation of consciousness to a more interdependent, socially conscious, compassionate, peaceful world is also a natural progression in our spiritual maturity as a race. I believe that churches and spiritual centers are on the front line guiding this shift and that the more open, universal and inclusive denominations like Unity will lead the way towards our ultimate goal of creating a world that works for everyone. Now more than ever, the music we choose and use must be positive, inclusive, uniting and healing so that we send out that vibration and, according to spiritual law, attract to our centers those individuals with that same consciousness of transformation. Music Ministers unite! You have a powerful tool in your possession and a huge responsibility to send out only messages of positive transformation to your flocks. Unity Worldwide Ministries is always working to insure you have plenty of that kind of music to use in the coming year. I look forward to serving you and this movement in what could be the most amazing and exciting year in our history. Yes, it could be the end of the world─as we know it. Richard Mekdeci LUT Sacred Music Resources Coordinator Unity Worldwide Ministries www.unity.org/music [email protected] 2 SoSoouund Connections Music Conference Ongoing Updates SC-9 September 16–20, 2013 At Unity Village Announcing next year’s keynotes! Rev. Michael Gott An amazing voice and an amazing minister. Formerly Music Director at Center for Spiritual Living in Reno, Nev., Michael now serves with Howard Caesar as Associate Minister of Unity in Houston, Tex. Michael’s music and message will inspire and uplift you. 2013’s Grace Note Award Recipient – Daniel Nahmod Daniel has taken the New Thought message to literally millions of people around the world through his music. It crosses all religious, social and cultural boundaries, and is sung in practically every Unity and New Thought church and center in the world. Daniel is also known for leading inspiring retreats and workshops. “Richard, I want to thank you for the perfect introduction to Unity Village and all the New Thought Music. I had a mountaintop experience at Sound Connections that I certainly was not expecting! I had two intentions while there ... to bring back new music for my congregation and music for my choir to share their love! I found both! So, I think of you and all the facilitators every day and I don't want to lose the great light that shone through that week…. Thanks and have an incredible year, I hope to see you next year!” David Craig Plan now to attend New Thought’s Premier Music Conference by including it in next year’s music budget. Be sure to become a Facebook “Friend” and rate the page after your visit. www.unity.org/music [email protected] 3 ThThhiis Month’s Feature Article Columbine Unity Church: Music Is Making a Difference Columbine Unity Spiritual Center Boulder, Colorado Rev. Scott Schell, Minister Ron Troester, Music Director Our church began its growth in 1993 when a group was formed with the intention of making a different experience for Unity in the Boulder area. With the addition of a building in 2005, the church has grown to around 300 members in two services each week. The music director position began in October 2012 where it was two separate individuals doing the choir and the worship song leading each week. These were combined, and Ron Troester was hired. Ron was the music director at Unity of Omaha, Nebraska, for 8 years, and music director at the Center for Spiritual Living, Denver, Colo., for one year. He has attended 5 Sound Connections Music Conferences, hosted 3 PosiPalooza! Concerts, has a master’s degree in Choral Music and is a professional musician in the Denver/Boulder/Parker/Evergreen, Colorado, area. He teaches voice and piano in Boulder, and serves as a music director for several different musical theater companies throughout the year. As the goals were formed for the music department growth and development, these following accomplishments have occurred in the past year under his leadership. With an amazing congregation of talented and committed members, Columbine Unity Spiritual Center continues to inspire and attract new people each week through the message, meditation and music. “It has truly been a blessing to be able to be on staff and helping grow music at Columbine—it takes a team and we are working to make that experience each week!” Ron 1. The participation in the music department has grown to over 20 percent of Columbine attendees—up 15 percent from previous years. This involves special music soloists, the Columbine Chorale, One Achord Singers and Bands, and in-house bands. Youth are becoming a part of the experience as well, which will add another 5% of attendees to the Sunday celebration experiences. Church attendance has grown 10% overall from last year, a reverse from the normal trend of churches throughout the country, especially Unity churches. A recent survey of congregants have felt that music contributed highly to the growth and regular attendance—especially in www.unity.org/music [email protected] 4 a community that is known for skiing, numerous outdoor activities like hiking, biking, etc., and people who travel a great deal. 2. The Columbine Chorale has grown from 26 on Christmas Eve last year to 42+ people this year. Music has continued to become more challenging, and people are committed and stepping up to the true potential—with selections of a variety of styles of choral music that will inspire, encourage, and challenge the singers and congregation. The Chorale has performed for special occasions at Christmas, Easter, and Palm Sunday, and provided special music four other times throughout the year. 3. One Achord Singers and Band was started to perform the joy songs each week, and currently has 24 members, which includes two different bands consisting of a drummer, guitarist, bassist; and wonderful singers who lead the singing each week for 9 different Sunday sets of joy songs. We have a book of songs for each member of music for services—over 60 songs! They have also provided special music for our Picnic Sunday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Making up harmonies, singing skills with a mic, and performance techniques are the prerequisite for this ensemble.