Sound Connections Unity’s New Thought Music Resource Issue #86 November 2012 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 Introducing your Music Team’s newest member, Megon McDonough! 2012 Sound Connections Music Conference at Unity Village─page 3 Announcing next year’s keynotes. Make plans now to attend. Feature Article─Page 4 Thanksgiving and holiday music recommendations from your Music Ministry Team From the Road – Traveling Artist Review─Page 7 Jody Soland: Bring this awesome artist to your church or center. CD Review─page 8 Spirit Speak to Me─new from Jody Soland New Releases, Resources & Events─page 9 See what’s new and what’s coming up New Thought’s First Online Choral Library!─page 11 Find your holiday music here! Job Openings for Music Directors─page 12 Unity of Murfreesboro, Tenn./Unity of Davis, Calif./Unity Center for Creative Living, St. Johns, Fla./Center for Spiritual Living, Denver, Colo. This Month’s Free Sheet Music Offering─page 13 “I Thank God” by Todd Lowry 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 ThThiis Month’s Highlights Hello, Dear Connectors! Now, maybe it’s because my birthday is November 21 (I’m partial to emeralds), or because I’m the 7th of 9 kids, and comfortable with a crowded dinner table, that Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. But every year at this time, I can just be walking down the street, minding my own business, and get mugged by gratitude! It just comes over me and fills me up. I had no idea I would grow up to be so crazy about gratitude, but I am. Ever since attending my first Unity service in 1979, and reading the works of Emmet Fox, Eric Butterworth, Catherine Ponder and Florence Scovel Shin, I’ve been a huge fan of Unity, Science of Mind, and the whole New Thought/Ancient Wisdom Movement. I’ve seen the world differently. But, actually I think I’ve seen the world a little differently all along. From the time I was 5, and heard “ha ha ha ha ha … ha ha ha ha ha … It’s the Woody Woodpecker Show,” I have loved the sound of the voice. My mom was a singer with the USO and in nightclubs before I was born. So I’m sure I heard a lot of singing growing up, but I think it was the combination of a singer who was being funny that really struck me. I learned a few years ago that singer’s name was Grace Stafford and she was married to the creator of The Woody Woodpecker Show. He’d hired her to be the voice of Woody before he ever knew it was her demo tape he’d heard. She never took credit because she didn’t want children to be disappointed to learn that Woody was a girl! You just never know where your life and the music will take you. So, I’ve had a passion for music all my life. Especially after the passing of my father and oldest sister 3 months apart in 1965, it has been the great healer for me. “When I was 10 years old, The Beatles saved my life” is the opening line in my song “Beatle Love.” I have been trying to repay the music ever since. I am eternally grateful to it for all the love, healing, wisdom and joy─no, bliss─it gives my life every day. I know you know exactly what I’m talking about. I am especially proud, grateful and happy to have been asked to join the Music Ministry Team. Sue Riley and Richard Mekdeci are two of the most incredible musicians, songwriters and friends I’ve been blessed to know. It has been such a blast and a blessing to travel and play music with them at PosiPaloozas. We even went to Canada last month with Harold Payne. Oh m’gosh, my endorphins are still flying! Richard and Harold taught me and Sue a new game: Inkie Pinkie/Inkity Pinkity. Well, it’s more fun than Heaven allows! So, this is going to be a wonderful Thanksgiving. Our kitchen is even finished being remodeled. Oy, what an epic. Talk about grateful! I look forward to seeing you at The Posi’s this year in Orlando (I’ve got some great jammies) and at Sound Connections next Sept. I am so grateful for you. Blessings, Megon McDonough www.unity.org/music [email protected] 2 Sound Connections Music Conference SSCC--99 SSeepptteemmbbeerr 1166––2200,, 22001133 AAtt UUnniittyy VViillllaaggee 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. Plan now to attend New Thought’s Premier Music Conference. Include 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 Feature Article Thanksgiving & Holiday Music Recommendations From Your Music Ministry Team Here are some ideas for finding the perfect Thanksgiving and holiday songs for your special services. I always first recommend the music resource Bible, Sue Riley’s Posi(tive) Music Resources for New Thought Churches, Fifth Edition. It does not contain printed music but is a resource guide to finding the music you need. Over 600 New Thought songs are categorized into over 50 topics and occasions including an entire section of “Seasonal Resources” for Christmas, Lent, Ash Wednesday and Easter. Each listing has a sample of the lyrics from the song, and how you can find and purchase the song. Most songs are listed in pairs too, usually an upbeat and a slower song, to make it easier for you to plan your entire service. Some categories include Congregational – Gathering and Prelude / Meditation / Closing, Humor, Loss and Transition, Meet and Greet, Prosperity and Tithing─everything from “Animal Blessings” to “Yoga and Meditation.” Under “Gratitude” I found four pages of song suggestions and pairings. For Christmas there is a complete Christmas Musical, Christmas Solo, and Christmas Choral section. Kudos to Sue for creating this much-needed resource. It is a huge undertaking and an amazing bargain at only $25. Go to www.empowerma.com and click the Store, then Books, to order. Hope that helps! Richard Mekdeci Here are some choral selections from David Ezell, MD Unity of Columbia, S.C.: Unity Worldwide Ministries' new Online Choral Library has some seasonal selections to recommend: “I Am Anointed” is an upbeat gospel song by Rev. Blair Tabor which is appropriate for Thanksgiving. It works best with a dynamic soloist. The backup choir can be SATB or SAB. The lyrics for the chorus are: "I am anointed by the Holy Spirit, I am anointed by the power of God. I am anointed with the joy of living. I am anointed and give thanks for it all!" The verses are about Jesus and the comfort, peace and understanding he promised to those who follow him. “May You Know God” is a contemplative song by Rev. Don Lansky, Rev. Patricia Lansky, Sue Riley, Karen Taylor-Good and Laurence Elder. It is appropriate for Thanksgiving, Easter, Memorials, New Year's and General Use. Voiced for SATB, it can also be sung as a solo. The tenor section is featured in the middle part of the song. The opening lyrics are: "May you rejoice in the new life within you as you release the old and worn. Open your heart with praise and thanksgiving. May you see God. May you feel God. May you know God." www.unity.org/music [email protected] 4 “One Small Voice,” for Christmas, is by Roger Tomhave, arranged by Carole Tomhave. To be sung at a moderate tempo, it is about a shepherd boy who spreads the news about Jesus and the Christ Spirit. It concludes with these lyrics: "Don’t be afraid to sing your song. Soon you will hear others sing along. Christ is born, Alleluia, born inside us, Born each Christmas. Bless one small voice." The music has three sections: a solo at the beginning which ranges from G to G, a middle section for SA choir, and a concluding section with soloist and SATB choir. It can be learned quickly, as each section is 8 to 12 measures. Another Christmas song which can be learned quickly is “Illumination” by David Ezell. Intended to be used at a candle-lighting service, it is for SATB choir, or can be sung as a solo. As is typical of many of David's choral arrangements, each section sings the melody part of the time. In a contemplative mood, the verses are about achieving personal transformation and then leading others, as we follow the teaching of Jesus, as well as the teaching of other ancient spiritual leaders Muhammad, Buddha and Moses.