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HEARING  VOICES

Join In The Song!

7/6/2016

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Every believer has the right to experience praising God through song. 
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     There is nothing like singing with fellow believers. A cappella congregational singing, when it is grounded in Christ as an offering of mutual edification, makes for the most exhilarating community experience a church can be a part of. Many churches who have enjoyed the riches of this congregational idiom, however, are allowing it to fall by the wayside, blaming their static, lifeless, worship services on the a cappella tradition itself, as if we as a brotherhood haven’t completely neglected to equip our congregations with the skills that enable them to bring their best for the Lord on Sunday. 

    What’s the solution? Training and education. If a church wants to keep singing alive as a vital experience for every believer, training in congregational singing for the entire church is essential. When I was young, my home church would bring in Ralph Casey to provide a training weekend for the purpose of equipping our entire church family on music basics, singing fundamentals and song leading. This happened more than once in my home church.

    The need is greater than ever.  Sharon and I travel with the Praise & Harmony congregational singing workshops for the purpose of equipping churches to establish a solid training program to keep a cappella singing alive.  Our primary target audience is not the most gifted vocalists, who are already passionate about singing, but the beginners who either don’t participate or who have never tried to sing harmony before.  We are finding the results can be amazing!​
​​   We encourage churches to establish “new song” classes in which every person is encouraged to sit by voice part with basses, altos, sopranos or tenors. Teaching new songs should be a regular and frequent objective of growing churches. Using training CDs on a daily basis (in cars, homes, etc.) to reinforce the new song class will greatly accelerate the learning process.

    In order to coordinate everyone to your arrangements, we urge everyone to use projected musical notation. We urge them to incorporate real dynamic volume changes in their singing, which can easily be facilitated by singing verses softer and choruses louder, for example. Additionally, when the song leader dominates the volume for the duration of the song, it dwarfs the contribution of the congregation, and unintentionally moves the focal point on the worship leader. This is why we encourage the use of a hand held microphone so the leader can “mix himself out” of the overall sound, and only take charge when necessary to drive the tempo and facilitate changes.

    In this video, “God Of Wonders,” notice how the congregation is sitting in sections by voice part; lower voices on the left and higher voices on the right. By being “immersed” in each section, beginners find it much easier to learn to sing harmony by ear.  Secondly, notice how we are working to sing the chorus, “God of wonders beyond our galaxy” louder than the unison verses.  I am using the microphone to take myself out of the mix so that the leader is only heard when necessary, and the bulk of the experience becomes a culmination of every voice present. One voice (or voices) should not consistently dominate the congregational experience.

    For those interested in hosting a Praise & Harmony Workshop, find out more here. We strongly encourage churches to send their gifted song leaders to the annual advanced training “bootcamp” available at the Worship Leader Institute. If your church would like to participate in a professional worship recording, find out more here.  The video below provides more information from the volunteers who participate in the recording process, which happens at least once a year.

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Beyond a Doubt We Know!

5/25/2016

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With so many uncertainties in the world, it's comforting to know that the basic tenets of the Gospel are as true as ever! Acappella sings "Tell Me Something I Don't Know" from the Beyond A Doubt CD.  Now on sale for only $5 at https://acappella.org/store/acappella/beyond-a-doubt/​
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The Blessing of Huge Christian Events: Ten to Consider in 2016

4/4/2016

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Fond memories are plentiful when considering the first time I attended the Tulsa Workshop, then known as the International Soul Winning Workshop.  Sharon and I were college students when we made the long trek with family to attend the very first workshop in 1976.  I can remember sitting in the middle of the Tulsa Fairgrounds Coliseum while gazing around 360 degrees, in awe of the sight of thousands of Christians of various backgrounds from countless places unknown to me. It was a pilgrimage of sorts.  --Nothing like I'd ever experienced before. And then the singing began!  My, oh my, what spiritual electricity was generated in that packed facility, surrounded by thousands of Christians, all broadcasting their voices in unbridled enthusiasm.  Radiant joy!
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The Tulsa Workshop
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April 6-9, 2016 Check out the schedule here.
Hear Bob Goff speak along with so many other amazing speakers and instructors.  Enjoy wonderful singing  and recharge your spiritual batteries.
All ages are also drawn to the family-oriented Alaska State-Wide Lectureship.

The Alaska Lectureship is hosted in a different region each year.  Last year, Sharon and I were fortunate to participate when it was hosted in Fairbanks.  One characteristic of this gathering that was very evident was the appeal to families! Unlike so many lectureships that only attract the more mature of our number, this gathering reminds me of the early days of our young family trips to huge annual events.

​This year, the Anchorage Church of Christ, who hosted the very first one in 1964, will be in charge of the 2016 lectures.  To build upon this beautiful concept of families attending big events together, the Anchorage church has decided to plan the Alaska Youth Forum 2016 to coincide with the annual lectureship.  This will ensure that families, who would like to participate in both events, are provided a convenient opportunity to experience both events while only having to budget for one trip.  Here is an article from Bobby Ross, Jr. who wrote about their 50th anniversary back in 2014.

Last year, we enjoyed being with the Northern Lights Church who hosted the Statewide Lectureship along with a Praise & Harmony Workshop.
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Alaska Statewide Lectureship
April 22-24, 2016
To register, e-mail Judy
As you would probably guess, every one of these annual events have a different personality.  If you have never attended the Pepperdine Bible Lectures before, you owe it to yourself to follow up on a "bucket-list" trip to beautiful Malibu, California.

It's hard to believe the number of teachers they secure for this event every year.  It has become a standard of excellence in programming quality. This  year, one of the featured speakers is N.T. Wright, of whom it is said that he "is arguably the most important theological voice in the church today." 

In addition to the congregational singing in the Field House, I enjoy leading a class in Stauffer Chapel where the acoustics ring beautifully for a cappella singing.

You will notice a thread that ties together these ten huge events that I'm recommending (besides the fact we plan to attend all of these this year) is that they all feature outstanding a cappella singing. Here's a photo I took from a previous lectureship:
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Pepperdine Bible Lectures
May 3-6, 2016     Detailed Schedule
Speaking of great a cappella singing, Ascending Voice happens every other year, and provides a compelling reason to extend your stay in Malibu for the Pepperdine Lectures one more week.  For the week after the Pepperdine Bible Lectures this year, Ascending Voice will draw a cappella enthusiasts, scholars and experts from the most diverse backgrounds into one amazing symposium.

This year, they have graciously announced discounts for ministers and song leaders: Registration for the fourth international celebration of Christian music at beautiful Pepperdine University will be free of charge to ministers and song leaders. The only charge will be for food and lodging, if needed, and for TAKE 6 concert tickets ($40). All other events will be free to these registrants. 

I can't wait to hear the Grammy-award winning TAKE 6 in concert that week in California.   We eagerly that week because earlier that same week we have tickets for the Pentatonix concert in Nashville, TN.
Ascending Voice
May 12-14, 2016    Schedule here
Pepperdine Univerity
It's hard to believe that thirty years ago we launched the Acappella Christian Music Seminar in Murray, Kentucky.  We hosted a week-long event for a cappella enthusiasts that would later become ACAFEST.  Today, ACAFEST is hosted on the campus of Lipscomb University in conjunction with their annual, family-friendly Summer Celebration.

Worship leaders for this event include Acappella vocalists, Kevin Schaffer, Steve Maxwell, Jeremy Swindle, Anthony Lancaster and Robin Brannon. In fact, every evening, Acappella will be leading a "sing along" at 6 PM, so make sure you arrive early for this special time of lively congregational singing.

Our ACAFEST class line up includes:
A Spirit-Led Guide to Worship Planning - Bret Morris
Making Music in the Hood!  Come learn and experience the Journey - Terry Davis
Sing a New Song - Anthony Lancaster
Worship That Is Out Of This World - Mike O’Neal

Mike O'Neal has served NASA in studying the spiritual implications of space travel and is an outstanding resource for special Christian events.

Singing groups will include Durant, Acappella, Shadow Vox and Impression.  Acafest / Summer Celebration is definitely another family-oriented summer destination that will bless your lives.
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ACAFEST Summer Celebration
June 29 - July 1, 2016
If you'd rather choose the popular vacation destination of Florida for your summer getaway, you can choose Equip Conference 2016, which overlaps Lipscomb's Summer Celebration -- although ACAFEST / Summer Celebration runs Wednesday through Friday, while Orlando's Equip Conference begins Thursday and ends on Sunday.

How  will I manage to be part of both of these concurrent events?  I'll be co-leading worship with our son, Anthony in Nashville on Wednesday night, then sing with Acappella and teach Praise & Harmony classes on Thursday at Lipscomb.  We'll fly to Florida as Friday, Saturday and Sunday I'm assigned to lead worship for Equip, directed by my friend, Phil Barnes.  Equip happens every other year. 
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Equip Conference Orlando
June 30 - July 3, 2016
For those with significant overseas travel ambitions and who have a heart for missions, the Asian Mission Forum just might be the ticket for 2016.

Our first experience attending this event was last year's forum, hosted in the Philippines.  This year, AMF will take place in Malaysia and will feature an edifying combination of instruction, worship and sharing.  Dr Evertt Huffard of Harding School of Theology will be the primary resources speaker. 

Sharon and I are so very blessed to meet Christians from numerous nations and fellowship with our brothers and sisters from across Asia.
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Asian Mission Forum
July 28 - August 1, 2016
What an honor to be invited to lead worship at Harding Univerisity's 2016 Lectureship with the theme, "Holy, Holy, Holy."  Attendance for this lectureship has been growing recently.  I'm thankful to be a part of this particular theme and to have a number of assignments throughout the week.  We hope to meet many of you in Searcy, Arkansas.
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Harding Bible Lectureship
September 25-28, 2016 
Oklahoma Christian University is a special place to Acappella Ministries.  Every year, the Lectureship kicks off with an Acappella concert, a key note speaker and wonderful singing.  This year, the theme is "To God's Elect": Peter's Message for Today's Christian. 

​We look forward to the "family reunion" that takes place every year in early October in Edmond, Oklahoma!
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OC Lectureship
October 2-4, 2016
Although this last event happens in January of a new year, I had to mention another vacation opportunity for Christians who love congregational singing and a cappella concerts.  The "Singing At Sea" cruise vacation will take place in January and promises to be an encouraging experience you will never forget!

Next year happens to be Acappella's 35th anniversary so we have a special time in store!  Meet Christians from around the world and enjoy a cruise with a bunch of Christians!  Sign up today.
Singing At Sea
January 23-28, 2017
Fort Lauderdale

Check out this link for the brochure cruise details.

One additional event that we regularly attend is  Sunset's Vision Workshop in Lubbock, Texas.  We enjoy being a part of this annual gathering designed to equip church leaders in God's work.  Next year's theme: Not Ashamed.

Vision Workshop
January 18-21, 2017

Well, there you have not ten, but eleven big events that can bless your life.  How about carving out time in your busy calendar to attend one of these refreshing, recharging and renewing events?
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Acappella's Evolving Vocal Arrangements

3/24/2016

4 Comments

 
Some of Acappella's songs have been featured in concerts for well over 34 years.  Since we teach songs by rote, it is not uncommon for arrangements to change and evolve over time.  The ending of "I Feel Good" is an example of this.  A few weeks ago in Detroit, we decided to sing, "Something about the sweet spirit of my Jesus" three times.  Sometimes, the younger members of Acappella point out that the older Acappella alumni don't move around as much on stage, so we also decided to "step up our steps."  We hope this infectious melody makes you feel good!
I cannot count the number of Christians that I have encountered who are reluctant to display joy when talking or singing about their faith. This is a far cry from one person who encountered Jesus and was seemingly unconcerned about decorum afterwards (see Acts 3:1-12.)  Joy is a fruit of the Spirit.

Did this video make you smile?  If so,  our mission is accomplished. We want to share this joy - - and music is a powerful means to do just that.
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A Song for our Brazilian Friends

3/18/2016

16 Comments

 
We are so thankful for all the Acappella fans in Brazil.  The web site, Quarteteiros, which celebrates quartet music, conducted a poll as to which song they'd like to hear Acappella sing in a video.  This song won, with "Rescue" running a close second.  We are happy to share this video, and who knows, maybe we'll post a yet unreleased video of "Rescue" in the future?
Subscribe to the YouTube Channel, AcappellaKeith to catch new videos as soon as they are posted.  Here is the link. 
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Learning Music "By Ear"

3/6/2016

19 Comments

 
As one who has actively arranged vocal music for more than four decades, I have chosen to teach music by rote.  This method remains my choice, much to the dismay of countless musicians who  learn to sing and perform exclusively from sheet music.  Originally employed as a means of convenience, this teaching/learning "by ear" process has served to sharpen the musical skills of many devotees.  I speak from experience, having worked with some of the most amazing vocalists on the planet - - with a video example below.

Our singing weekends for churches, known as Praise & Harmony Workshops, are based upon the principle that ear-training is a powerful way to teach entire churches, especially beginners, how to sing in harmony.  Ear-training CDs have become essential for this purpose, as well as arranging everyone into voice parts -- sitting in sections while learning to harmonize.  We regularly witness stunning results as churches greatly improve their congregational singing.  This is a beautiful and rewarding experience!

Here is an example, featuring Acappella, that goes well beyond outstanding learning-by-ear skills.  The setting for this video was a rehearsal for a concert in Michigan.  On the day this video was shot, Wayburn Dean had never sung "Glory And Honor" before.  A few minutes after we asked him to try singing the lead vocal, we handed him the lyrics -- and amazingly, here is what happened:
Wayburn's stellar vocal quality and impressive interpretive skills are totally unique.  However, we contend that teaching beginners how to sing harmony is much easier than most musicians understand.

There are churches in which virtually no one can read music, yet their singing abounds in four-part harmony.  I am a strong proponent of emphasizing musical literacy while equipping churches (not just a choir) how to read music; but from an early age, my personal experience has been to learn "by ear" first, while tackling the music theory afterwards.
19 Comments

Does God want every Christian to sing?

2/19/2016

24 Comments

 
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 Does God want every Christian to sing?

It depends. If singing were an issue of training, technique, vocal range, comfort, or preference, most of us would be wise to keep our mouths shut. The world would be a more pleasant and happier place.  Why sing when so many are more gifted and seem to enjoy it more than we do?

Here’s why. Your voice, along with all the other voices in your church, has been redeemed by the Savior.  As we sing, he presents our song to the Father for his glory and our joy. “The human voice, given over to Jesus, and found in company with other voices given over similarly, produces a dignified and worthy song from storefront church to cathedral,” says Harold Best. “Singing is not an option for the Christian; no one is excused. Vocal skill is not a criterion.”

No one is excused. Not even those with zero musical ability.  The critical question is not Do I have a voice? but Do I have a song? And if you’re a true worshiper, forgiven and reconciled to God through the atoning work of Christ, the answer is a a resounding yes.  It’s not a song we originated or created.  We can’t add to it, change it, or improve upon it.  It’s the song of the redeemed for their great Redeemer.

It’s a song we were never meant to sing alone.  And it’s a song God’s people have been singing together for thousands of years.   ——  Bob Kauflin,  author of True Worshipers
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Acappella's Sound Future

2/9/2016

2 Comments

 
Acappella concerts feature such unique combinations of talent, that at any given concert you may find a line-up of vocalists in their 20's, 30's, 40's and 50's, singing the familiar (and new) songs of their world-impacting ministry.  The diversity of this pool of talented music ministers is one of the strengths of Acappella. Why not consider booking an Acappella concert for your next fund-raiser or outreach event?

Acappella will be appearing March 5th in Detroit, Michigan.  The powerful and talented pool of vocalists that comprise Acappella Ministries is amazingly versatile.  Last year, we posted videos that include Ken McCalpin, Brishan Hatcher, Aaron Herman, Robin Brannon and many others.

For the first three concerts of 2016,  counting last month's fabulous Singing at Sea, the Acappella roster includes:  Anthony Lancaster, Wes McKinzie, George Pendergrass, Robert Guy, Jeremy Swindle, Rodney Britt, Jabbarri Jones, Keith Lancaster, Zach Wilson, Kevin Schaffer, Wayburn Dean, Steve Maxwell and Gary Moyers.  God has certainly blessed these men with a desire to share God's message through song.

We are praying that for many decades to come, if the Lord tarries, Acappella will continue ministering through like-minded musicianaries, some yet to be born --- using only their hearts and harmonized voices to spread God's love.  Thank you for praying for and sharing this ministry with others!
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The Voice is a Mirror of the Heart

1/29/2016

5 Comments

 
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Of all the post-coverage of the Iowa presidential debates, I was fascinated by an intriguing analysis from two physicians whose commentary focused on the inflections and tones of the human voice.  Their discussion centered around a tool that presumably could determine the various stress levels of the human voice while speaking, revealing a more accurate picture of a person's actual thoughts.  In fact, one of the specialists made the statement that, "The human voice is like a mirror of the heart."

Immediately, my mind went to the emphasis that God has placed on singing.  What does it say about us when our singing is passionless or non-existent? If we do love the Lord with all our heart, mind, soul and strength, will not that authenticity be detected in our voices?  Yes, the voice is like a mirror of the human heart.  He deserves to receive the fruit of our lips, so let's offer him authentic, heart-felt praise!
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News From Acappella Ministries

6/5/2015

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Acappella will kick off each evening session by leading worship at 6 P.M. in Allen Arena on Lipscomb's campus.  Arrive early to join in this fabulous sing-along with Acappella between 6:00 and 6:30 PM, July 1-3.
RIGHTEOUS GOD ships in July.
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How we approach worship will certainly impact whether our churches grow or decline in the future. The annual Worship Leader Institute is equipping a cappella song leaders from around the world through an intensive, advanced week-long practical training session. Move quickly to send your gifted leaders for this training and invest in your church's future.
AROUND THE WORLD MISSIONARY JOURNEY
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Keith and Sharon Lancaster are seeking sponsors for a round-the-world missionary journey later this year. Praise & Harmony training will be taking place in Asia and Europe during this trip. Those desiring to help sponsor this trip can contribute here: 
http://www.gofundme.com/Musicianary
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    I believe that the human voice is the greatest instrument of music ever created. Harmonizing hearts and voices in praise to the Creator is the highest calling of mankind.  Host a Praise & Harmony Workshop for your church and sponsor leaders to attend the Worship Leader Institute
    PraiseAndHarmony.com

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