Top Catholic Songs – share, learn, promote

An article by Nick Alexander

For almost two decades, I have been a responsible itinerant church musician, worship leader, and songwriter.  Part of that equation has always been attaining a license to Christian Copyright Licensing Inc. (CCLI for short)... 

When I was first getting started playing for different groups, such as parishes, youth rallies, prayer groups, young adult groups, healing masses, etc., I always had my CCLI license to ensure that the songs I had covered had been legally protected. I would insist that if you are in this boat, you, too, must comply and be ensured that your status is active.

However, the last eighteen months I have been helming the Prayer Meeting Podcast, it was decided early on that I had to forgo the vast majority of worship songs in my repertoire. This is because CCLI does not offer an option to use their songs in a podcast format. (Except that they do: they require that the songs themselves be sung live in the context of an actual worship service). Due to the constraints of my setup (my studio can only fit one person, maybe two), that was simply not going to happen...

My friend and music associate, André van Haren, has posted a complete series of instructional videos for Sibelius 6, an awesome music notation program. If anyone has thought about learning to engrave professional looking sheet music, this is your quick start! – Richard Schletty

André recently posted this overview of "object checking" – a summary of several videos posted here in the Forums and at YouTube. Please watch and comment. See complete list of Sibelius 6 tips in the TCS Forums.

Sibelius Quick Tip 25 - Object Check part 6 - overview

See complete list of Sibelius 6 tips in the TCS Forums

Jim Papandrea has been writing, recording and performing music for over 25 years: in Milwaukee; Minneapolis; Los Angeles; Rome, Italy; and most recently in the Chicago area. After a few years with the Milwaukee-based band, The Crabs, Jim formed his own group called The Neumes, which migrated from the University of Minnesota to LA.  The Neumes released two recordings, Ars Nova and Contrast.  In 1995, after a summer at the American Academy in Rome, Jim returned to the Chicago area to create Remember Rome.  Remember Rome has released four CDs: Remember Rome, La Bocca della Veritá, Carpe Diem, and Holy Smoke – The Best of Remember Rome. Jim has been commissioned to write church choir music, and has also written music for film, and produced music videos.  He has written and directed two musicals, Treasures of the Heart (a Christmas musical) and The Prodigal’s Dream (an Easter Opera). One of the songs from Treasures of the Heart was featured on an internationally released compilation of Christmas music. Jim holds a bachelor’s degree in music and theatre arts from the University of Minnesota, as well as a master’s degree from Fuller Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. from Northwestern University, specializing in the history and theology of early Christianity. He has also studied Roman History at the American Academy in Rome, Italy.  Jim is an alumnus of the Nashville Songwriters’ Association International Song Camps, and is a teacher of songwriting.  He is currently Associate Professor of Church History at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary (at Northwestern University) in Evanston, IL. Jim has been a featured speaker and singer at conferences, parish missions, and other special events, and also works as a consultant for churches, giving workshops and facilitating retreats. Jim and his wife Susie live in the suburbs of Chicago. 

Jim Papandrea's web site: http://stillquietvoice.wordpress.com

Jim Papandrea’s latest CD, featuring 12 original songs of faith, inspiration and encouragement. Contemplative, devotional and confessional, Still Quiet Voice is Jim Papandrea’s first solo project after almost two decades with the successful group, Remember Rome. Songs to encourage faith and prayer, to meditate, or just to relieve stress.

Click here to listen to and buy Still Quiet Voice

All the Songs is a free E-Book that contains the lyrics and guitar chords to (almost) every song Jim Papandrea has written. It also includes a commentary, with Jim Papandrea’s own reflections on the meaning of the lyrics, and the inspiration for each of the songs. Click the link to download All the Songs as a PDF.

All the Songs – Jim Papandrea

A message from Nick Alexander:

We are now in the Easter Season.  Pentecost is coming soon. Pentecost is the traditional celebration as to the birth of the Church, when the Holy Spirit (which Jesus had promised to His followers) descended upon those in the upper room, giving them power to evangelize and to heal.

I am preparing a music resource that will employ the use of many traditional hymns and current worship songs to celebrate the events that occurred in Acts 2. My question is: What are your favorite traditional hymns and praise choruses for Pentecost?

The first section of songs are all in the public domain. The second section of songs are not.  They are culled from every resource I have at my disposal – ccli.com, hymnary.org, and the many songbooks, hymnals and various missallette company resources.  They cut across all denominations.

I need your help, so to ascertain which songs people are hungry for, and which songs are blind spots.  I am discovering there's so many riches in our Christian faith, we can truly benefit from making these songs our own.  Your assistance will ensure that we can help discover anew our heritage and grow from these songs.

Thank you for participating!

Nick

FAVORITE PENTECOST HYMNS

Image by The Meek Warrior; Creative Commons Non-Commercial Use

An email blast from GIA Publications:

Looking for ways renew the spirit of your Pentecost worship?
Try these highly recommended resources from GIA Publications, Inc.

For Organ...
G-6005 Veni Creator Spritus
G-8362 Gregorian Preludes for the Liturgical Year

For Organ with Instruments...
G-6433 Fantasy on Veni Creator for Alto Saxaphone and Organ

For Organ with Handbells...
G-8427 Introits and Anthems for Voices and Bells – Volume 2

For Handbells...
G-5751 Every Time I Feel the Spirit
G-7251 One Great Spirit
G-7492 Catch the Spirit

For Choir...
G-2665 Burn Bright
G-2831 Spirit of God within Me
G-2914 The Day of Pentecost
G-3003 Let Songs of Praises Fill the Sky
G-3606 Lord, Send Out Your Spirit
G-3915 Send Down the Fire
G-4589 Spirit-Friend
G-4766 Spirit of God Unleashed
G-5321 O Spirit, All Embracing
G-5526 Lord Send Out Your Spirit
G-7135 All Who Are Led by the Spirit
G-7167 When the Holy Spirit Comes
G-8415 Our Comforter and Guide 

For a complete listing of resources visit Pentecost Vigil and Pentecost Sunday 

July 29 - August 3, 2014 / St. Catherine University, St. Paul, Minnesota

There is still time to apply - but the deadline is very soon!

Come be a part of a magical week with young people and adult leaders! Under the leadership of founder and executive director David Haas, the 2014 team includes: Fr. Ray East, Lori True, Fr. Michael Joncas, Marty Haugen, Bonnie Faber, Kate Cuddy, Stephen Petrunak, Fr. Fran O'Brien, Jaime Cortez, Anna Betancourt, Mary Louise Bringle, Tom Franzak, Lynn Trapp, Sr. Kathleen Harmon, Joe Camacho, Tim Westerhaus, and many more!

Come join 150 other high school and early college students, and 50-60 adult leaders for a week of celebration, learning, growth, and the joy of liturgical music!

Visit www.musicministryalive.com for applications and more information

A note from Susan Bailey, speaker, performing songwriter and author. She is a member of the Catholic Association of Music:

Hi to all of you,

God has graced me with a wonderful healing which I am writing about on my blog. Here are links to the first two posts:

My unexpected miracle healing (part one)

My unexpected miracle healing (part two): openness to God's way

My unexpected miracle healing (part three): healing inside and out

More to come! Thanks be to God! Happy Easter to you.

Peace, Susan Bailey

Listen to/purchase Susan's music 

A message from Nick Alexander:

Today is a great day.  Really.

Today I am releasing a new resource for all those who are fans of my parody songs.  Thank you for your support for all these years.

It is with my pleasure to introduce to you my brand new PDF eBook “NICK ALEXANDER PARODY SONGS: Lyrics, Stories, and More!”

Within its contents you will discover everything you need to know about my parody songs; not just my parody song lyrics, but also my thoughts on every song, my story as to how I learned how to write parodies, and many useful helps, including skit ideas, the cheatsheet for “We Want to Stand United,” and the dance moves for R.C.I.A.   It will also have not one, not two, but three–count them!–THREE extensive indexes, so you can discover songs based on your favorite artist, or by the musical decade, or by specific topic or theme.

Why would you want such a resource?

1. If you are a fan of my religious-based comedy/popular music concoctions, you may want to discover all the songs I’ve done, including those which didn’t make the cut, for whatever reason.
2. If you are a teacher, a youth group leader, or a parent, and you are looking for creative ways to drive home a specific lesson or theme, you may find great ideas within these contents.  The indexes in the back will be of great help for you.
3. If you are a budding parody writer yourself, you may want to know my processes as to how I write parody songs, what makes a good parody stick, and other industry thoughts.
4. You have loads of free time and don’t mind reading stuff like this.

In short, this eBook is made available to anybody who wants it.  To get it, go to this page.  You will then be entered into my mailing list.  This mailing list will be secure, and your info will not be sent to anybody else.  I will use this mailing list to keep you informed on every noteworthy thing I am working on to best benefit you.

Have you perused this book’s contents?  What do you think?  What is your favorite Nick Alexander parody song?  Share below.

Read more at Nick Alexander's site.

A message from John Meng-Frecker at holywatercolor.com:

April 29, 2014

Dear Catholic Artists,

The Archdiocese of Omaha has acknowledged our desire to hold a Catholic Arts Conference in Fall 2015 in Omaha, NE for the occasion of the U.S. debut exhibit of The Faces of Christ shown by Steen Heidemann http://www.faces-of-christ-collection.com/gallery.html (also see Vatican letter from Mons. Juan Miguel Ferrer Grenesche).

We hope to bring together artists and those who use Catholic arts in their various forms, inside and outside of church.  The theme of our conference is “Bringing Sacred Art to the Everyday World”.  We think the timing is good for this event because of the New Evangelization, Pope Francis and because we have the opportunity to display and discuss many fine works in one conference.  Please read the attached theme for our Catholic Arts Conference.

We are looking for connections and commitments by artists and promoters of Catholic Arts in these five areas: two-dimensional fine art, sculptors, architects, musicians, and film.  We welcome the interest of artists, vendors, supporters of Catholic Arts, individuals, and organizations who use Catholic Art.  We want to make the debut of Steen’s exhibit a sparkling event showcasing the beauty, goodness, and truth of Sacred Art in our everyday world.

Contact John Meng-Frecker at 306 South 53rd St., Omaha, NE 68132

or by email johnm@holywatercolor.com or by phone at 402.510.3426. 

Please forward this document with attachments to those who may be interested.

I received this notice from GIA Music. – Richard Schletty

Full notice here: http://www.giamusic.com/email/index-email-oramos-cantando-sessions.html

An email blast from Keith Mohr at IndieHeaven.com. Details about this group ad buy were posted a couple weeks ago. Use search tool to find that story. – Richard Schletty, creative admin

Just a quick note to let you know it's the last call to promote your music and mission to over 560,000+ fans of Christian music through our "Indie Corner" ad in the May 1 issue of CCM Digital Magazine! 

We have 2 remaining slots...  

From John Michael Talbot Ministries:

Notice: original article has been edited. We have just learned that John Michael Talbot's "Praise the Lord" appearance on Thursday, April 24th will NOT be broadcast until SATURDAY, May 3rd at 2:00 PM PT - 5:00 PM ET. We apologize for this late notice. If you planned on attending the taping this evening at TBN's studio - you are still good to go! Thank you for your understanding and continued support of this ministry! – John Michael Talbot Ministries

We are excited to share that you will have these upcoming opportunities to watch John Michael Talbot on television!

On Wednesday, April 23rd, watch John Michael's new weekly TV show "All Things Are Possible" on The Church Channel. This week's topic is Gospel Chastity. It's not about what you CAN'T do but what you CAN do through a personal love relationship with Jesus Christ.

On Saturday, May 3rd, John Michael will be a special guest on TBN's most popular show, "Praise The Lord". He will be interviewed AND singing his most loved hymn "Holy Is His Name".  

If you do not get The Church Channel or TBN you can still watch online live or after the shows are added to the iTBN.org archives!  Follow the links below and again, from all of us at John Michael Talbot Ministries.

Happy Easter! He Is Risen!

John Michael Talbot Ministries

Wednesday - April 23, 2014
All Things are Possible
John Michael's weekly show on The Church Channel
6:00 PM PST~ 8:00 PM CST ~ 9:00 PM EST

CLICK HERE FOR BROADCAST DETAILS:
http://www.johnmichaeltalbot.com/how-to-watch

SATURDAY, MAY 3, 2014 (revised broadcast date)
Praise the Lord
(Live Appearance!)
with Special Guest John Michael Talbot
2:00 PM PT - 5:00 PM ET.

CLICK HERE FOR BROADCAST DETAILS:
http://www.tbn.org/

Cross-posted, with permission, from Nick Alexander's blog.

The grave now is empty! The stone is rolled away! Hallelujah!

Happy Resurrection Day!

Easter is the most joyous time of the year. It is the time that we celebrate the impossible–that death no longer has any power over us. Our Lord Jesus looked as if He was slain; but no! Jesus conquered death. And by conquering death, He has opened the way of salvation to all who believe.

Easter is not a one day celebration. (That is a misnomer). Easter is a celebration that last forty days on the Christian calendar. It is celebrated with Alleluia’s–those same Alleluias that were hidden for the forty days of Lent prior, they are now used to overflowing. It is the most celebratory of seasons, and we must not lose sight of the joy in our walks.

I had asked my readership as to what their favorite Easter hymns were, and you all responded in kind. These are the results.

1. Christ, The Lord Is Risen Today, Alleluia! (54.00%)
2. Jesus Christ Is Risen Today (42.00%)
3. Crown Him With Many Crowns (40.00%)
4. I Know That My Redeemer Lives (36.00%)
5. Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine! (32.00%)
6. Hallelujah Chorus (30.00%)
7. All Hail The Power Of Jesus’ Name, Let Angels Prostrate Fall (28.00%)
8. All Creatures Of Our God And King (26.00%)
9. Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (24.00%)
10. Alleluia! Alleluia! Let the Holy Anthem Rise (22.00%) ...