Meditations on the Secrets to a Rich and Full Happy Life

1) Good Friends
2) Good Relationships
3) Contentment and Humility
4) Good Humor

Tips on Practicing and Vocalization during choir practice.

If you are in a choral group, either an amateur one or professionally, I believe the ONE important

tool as you may know is Vocalization Practice.  Here are some habits I feel a Great group or an individual

singer must develop to achieve maximum perfection in the performance of a choral piece or a song.

1. Voice production is initially created by the speech organ, which involves the throat, the voice box,

    the teeth, the tongue, the air passageways, the nose, the larynx, the lungs and the diaphragm.The

    proper care of these is important.  It must be properly lubricated (meaning, the mouth, tongue,

    inner throat area and air passageways must have enough wetness).  A person is therefore required

    to bring his/her own water. Which must be ingested before, during and after practice.

2.  The whole body emotionally, mentally and physically is involved in singing.  Therefore it must be 

     relaxed, alert and comfortable.  A choral member therefore must have good sleeping habits and

     stretching exercises.  A tired mind and body will NOT produce the Best Sound. Proper posture

     is also a result of good exercise habits.  The vocal chords will be stretched during vocalization also

     the diaphragm.  Exercise promotes good strong breathing.  Remember, "the Spirit is Willing but the

     Flesh is Weak."  Jogging in place and Stretching is important before choral practice.  Breathing

     exercises is also foundational.  If we do not have a strong grasp and control of our breathing muscles

     we cannot produce an good, strong, natural sound.

3. Emotional preparation is also important, personal problems must be set aside during choral practice. 

    Complete Focus is required.  Our mind must be fully focused on the task at hand. Our Spirit must be

    Strong in the Lord.  The Habit of Prayer and Meditation before choral practice is a Must. Mentally,

    I would suggest also each must be fully prepared and familiar with the song line-up, it's meaning and

    relation to the  mass and to your life. An understanding of the meaning of the song from the composer's

    perspective, the musician's perspective and the singer's perspective is a great help in your getting the 

    message across for the listener.

4. Physically, one must be comfortable.  Proper, cool, loose clothing is a must.  Too tight clothes,

    specially in the diaphragm area is a NO.  The air you will need for singing will be delayed, blocked

    or prevented from supporting your sound.  Breath support is important to achieve the full, clear

    tone and sound of each note and word that you sing.

Well, I hope this helps you in achieving your goal as a choral group or as a singer.  Practice makes Perfect.

God Bless YOU.

Why not make a singing journal?

I 'm addicted to journalling.. I have Eat, Pray, Love Journals,  I have my Poem Journals,  I love my Blog.. but nothing beats the feeling of writing on paper and putting down your thoughts.  So, I'm thinking of suggesting to you a singing journal.  You could put pictures of your choir, the places where you served.  Make comments on how you felt about a song.  How your throat feels for the day.  You could also put your thoughts on the current Mass songs that you have selected or your feelings about the current homily and what song applies...

You could even paste your musical sheets in your journal.  Example, a fave song.

So, whadda you think?

It seems I'm on the right track.

Hello there! God seems to want me to continue this since he allowed me to find my old reference materials.  My friend Fred was looking for a musical piece "Simeon's Canticle" which I happened to have stored in one of the old music books me and my sister bought before.  Lo and behold! Wrapped in blue plastic were my old reading material on music ministry. It's called "Using your Gift" by Beverly Anne Sumrall.  Incredible! Just when I was thinking of reopening this blog. ;)  God works with humor. He's really fun when you get to know him.

So, now I am currently pouring over the material and learning again!  You'll find out about my readings later on in this blog.  Stay tuned.

Resuming Blog

Hello Everyone, I am now on my first blog for the year 2011. It has been a long time.
I haven't been in Ministry for quite a while... So, I figured, why stop? When I can continue serving through this Blog?

So, first things first. "GOD IS GREAT! TO HIM ALL BE THE GLORY!"