Do you know the Faure Requiem?

Tonight I went to a Lenten concert at my church and the choir, a string orchestra and another church choir performed the beautiful and ethereal "Requiem" by Gabriel Faure. My favorite movement was the "Libera Me" which featured a beautiful tenor solo, sung tonight by our own Edward Carruthers! This YouTube video is not my church choir, but I think you'll enjoy it! Enjoy all the beautiful music of this Lenten Season. Alice

"A Child Most Eager to Belong"

Yesterday morning at my church, Highland Presbyterian Church, one of our several children's choirs sang a beautiful anthem with very touching words. I wanted to share these with you:
A child, most eager to belong, observed an elder lost in song. She asked a timeless thing: "Please tell me now, why do you sing?" "Because we can," the elder said, "to know that we're alive, not dead, to feel that God is near, to free us from the things we fear. A song unites us with our past, reminds us of the truths that last. And now, the most profound: God's love is working in the sound."
The child in us still wants to know why tunes can cause our hearts to grow. In truth, we cannot say, and so, with humble hearts we pray. Creator God, conduct each phrase, inspire the beat, renew our praise so singing in this place
reflects your rich, transforming grace.
Have a wonderful week!

A beautiful song for the New Year and for manifesting your resolutions!

The holidays have been filled with the most beautiful music this year. I've heard concerts all over the city and on TV and radio. On this peaceful New Year's Day, I'd like to share this beautiful rendition of "Still, Still, Still." You might want to try closing your eyes as you listen to this and visualize your New Years resolutions being accomplished! Happy New Year!!

"Lift High the Cross"

Today I attended the funeral of a very dear man, a man who loved music and a man who loved God and his church. This gentleman, a retired clergyman, had planned his entire funeral service, including all of the music. "Bing" loved music of all kinds and had told me many times that he hoped when "the Lord calls me home" thathe would have a better voice in Heaven than he had on Earth, but still he loved to sing in the shower and he loved to sing hymns. Please enjoy this beautiful hymn that is also a favorite hymn of mine. It's called "Lift High the Cross." Do you know it?

What kind of music did you hear in your place of worship?

I believe that growing up in church gave me a huge advantage in life. The fact that my father was the minister made it even better. I loved going to church as a little girl and seeing my Daddy in his robes and stole, preaching to a congregation that obviously loved and respected him very much. I also loved the music that I heard from the organ, the choir and the congregational hymns. All of this meshed together to make me feel very loved by God and my fellow Christians. It all made me love God very much too and want to please Him. I think I learned the most about God and His love from the music I heard and the hymns that we sang every Sunday morning and every Sunday night.
I'd be interested to know what music you heard on Sunday mornings in your House of Worship. Please write to me by responding to this blog by posting a comment and share your childhood music. Thanks!

The voice of a tiny angel!

To me, hearing the small, clear voice of a child singing, is a spritual experience. Tonight I had the experience of hearing a little 4 y.o. girl sing so beautifully that she seemed almost like an angel See what you think.

The African-American Spiritual

I've always loved spirituals. I believe that this body of music will connect you to spirit about as fast as any music out there. Listen to this beautiful example of two fabulous African-American singers singing "There is a Balm in Gilead" and tell me what you think!

Enjoy!